The Truth or The Lie

In my experience, nothing hurts more than a lie. When I review my own history, every low and terrible time involved a lie from someone that I trusted. Each occasion didn’t necessarily separate me from the person who lied (I’m able to forgive), but they deepened my intense feelings about lies and deception.

Jesus said, “I am . . . the truth. . . .” He is truth embodied. Every lie goes against His nature, His very being. For instance, even when not related to spiritual matters, lies are a form of manipulation and Jesus is never guilty of doing that. Lies destroy relationships and shatter trust. Jesus is not like that either.

The author of lies is Satan. Jesus said of him, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44)

The first lie was offered to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Through the serpent, Satan approached her about God’s command to leave alone the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and said to her, “Has God indeed said. . . .” casting doubt that God actually gave that command.

This lie continues today. The Bible is just a book written by men. . . . Oh it might say stuff, but who knows what it means. . . . Those parts of the Bible were for that culture, not ours. . . . It is an old book. God didn’t have anything to do with it . . . and many variations of more of the same.

I’ve talked to people that, no matter what evidence was given them that the Bible is indeed the Word of God (and there is much evidence), they would not be convinced. In some cases they acted as if they were blind and deaf.

This is a dangerous place, not that they cannot see (none of us can without revelation from the Holy Spirit), but for the reasons behind why they cannot see. 2 Thessalonians 2 describes an evil person sometimes called the Antichrist who will show up in our world and deceive many. Verses 9-11 contrasts the people he will deceive with those who love the truth.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice the reasons given for those who will perish. They did not receive the love of the truth, indicating that it had been offered to them. They did not believe “the truth” because they loved their sin. It is because of these things, that God (yes, God!) sends them a strong delusion so they should believe “the lie” and be condemned.

Rejecting truth in favor of the pleasure of sin puts a sinner in a bad place. Sin is bad enough, but being unable to accept truth is worse. The truth (personified in Jesus Christ) says that all are sinners, all need forgiveness, and all require the powerful work of God to change their hearts and lives. The lie (originating with Satan) says, “Oh, God didn’t really say that.”

I’ve no claim to the origin of loving truth. These verses tell me that it is a gift that has to be received. My love and deep respect for what is true is not a natural part of being human, but a supernatural gift from God. The last part of this passage says God chooses and calls people to be saved, to be set apart for Him, to believe the truth. He offers an incredible gift to every person. I’m simply amazed that He offered it to me, and deeply distressed when others reject His offer.