Lying Does Hurts
These examples show the harm that can come when people practice lying and deceit
Genesis 27 - Jacob deceived Isaac to get the blessing that Isaac intended to give to Esau. Esau was so hurt and angry when he learned what Jacob had done that he threatened to kill Jacob (vv 34-38). As a result, Jacob had to flee from home and Jacob and Esau were alienated for years afterward. [27:41; 28:2]
Genesis 29 - After promising to give Rachel as a wife to Jacob, Laban instead gave him Leah. As a result Jacob worked seven years for a woman he did not want to marry. Later, Jacob became so alienated that he left his father-in-law, because Laban kept deceiving him (chap. 31). Eventually both sisters married Jacob, resulting in strife and alienation the rest of their lives.
Genesis 37:33-35 - When his sons deceived him, Jacob grieved and mourned for many years believing his son Joseph really had died. Later his sons were sorry for the grief they caused.
Many of us know families in which people have been alienated from one another because of lies. One of the main lessons to be learned from Jacob's family is the severe problems that deceit can cause. If you want a good family life, one thing you need to develop in a relationship in which every family member can trust everyone else to be honest.
Lying and deceit often destroy people's reputations or alienate people, not just in families, but also on the job, at school, and in the church. When people find out others have lied to them or about them, they are often hurt and angry.
Psalms 109:2 - They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. Often lies and slander are used to destroy the credibility and reputation of an innocent or godly person.
Matthew 5:11 - Jesus warned that people would revile and persecute His disciples, and say all kinds of evil against them falsely. False accusations and lies are a standard means of persecution, intended to intimidate the righteous to compromise the truth or to discredit their influence.
Proverbs 25:18 - A man who bears false witness is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
The man who said, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," obviously was never the victim of the campaign of a slanderer. Trust me, it can be quite painful and leave wounds in your emotions and marks on your reputation for years.
We need to be sure that we do not harm others with lies. We need to practice sincere honesty with our family, friends, and in the church.
1 Kings 21; Exodus 20:16; Lev. 6:2-5; Deut. 19:18; Psalms 31:18; 35:20; 62:4; 119:69; Matthew 26:59; Proverbs 26:18,19; Jer. 9:8
These examples show the harm that can come when people practice lying and deceit
Genesis 27 - Jacob deceived Isaac to get the blessing that Isaac intended to give to Esau. Esau was so hurt and angry when he learned what Jacob had done that he threatened to kill Jacob (vv 34-38). As a result, Jacob had to flee from home and Jacob and Esau were alienated for years afterward. [27:41; 28:2]
Genesis 29 - After promising to give Rachel as a wife to Jacob, Laban instead gave him Leah. As a result Jacob worked seven years for a woman he did not want to marry. Later, Jacob became so alienated that he left his father-in-law, because Laban kept deceiving him (chap. 31). Eventually both sisters married Jacob, resulting in strife and alienation the rest of their lives.
Genesis 37:33-35 - When his sons deceived him, Jacob grieved and mourned for many years believing his son Joseph really had died. Later his sons were sorry for the grief they caused.
Many of us know families in which people have been alienated from one another because of lies. One of the main lessons to be learned from Jacob's family is the severe problems that deceit can cause. If you want a good family life, one thing you need to develop in a relationship in which every family member can trust everyone else to be honest.
Lying and deceit often destroy people's reputations or alienate people, not just in families, but also on the job, at school, and in the church. When people find out others have lied to them or about them, they are often hurt and angry.
Psalms 109:2 - They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. Often lies and slander are used to destroy the credibility and reputation of an innocent or godly person.
Matthew 5:11 - Jesus warned that people would revile and persecute His disciples, and say all kinds of evil against them falsely. False accusations and lies are a standard means of persecution, intended to intimidate the righteous to compromise the truth or to discredit their influence.
Proverbs 25:18 - A man who bears false witness is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
The man who said, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," obviously was never the victim of the campaign of a slanderer. Trust me, it can be quite painful and leave wounds in your emotions and marks on your reputation for years.
We need to be sure that we do not harm others with lies. We need to practice sincere honesty with our family, friends, and in the church.
1 Kings 21; Exodus 20:16; Lev. 6:2-5; Deut. 19:18; Psalms 31:18; 35:20; 62:4; 119:69; Matthew 26:59; Proverbs 26:18,19; Jer. 9:8