What the Bible says about Lying, Sin of
(From Forerunner Commentary)
These powerful words caution that one who indulges in activity like this will have his hatred exposed—and probably by the same means he has used on others!
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Ninth Commandment (1997)Related Topics: Boomerang Effect | Boomerang Effect of Lying | Lying | Lying, Sin of | Sin has Boomerang Effect | Sin of Lying | Sin will find you out | Speech | Your Sin will Find You Out
This verse is directly connected in thought to the previous ones, telling us in no uncertain terms that this sin has an obvious boomerang effect! The liar will fall into the pit he digs for others, and in the process, he will be exposed before others.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Ninth CommandmentRelated Topics: Boomerang Effect | Boomerang Effect of Lying | Lying | Lying, Sin of | Ninth Commandment | Sin has Boomerang Effect | Sin of Lying | The Ninth Commandment
This verse is an interesting commentary on mankind regarding the sin of lying, which is so common that it seems to be "in the genes"! Jesus seems pleasantly surprised at Nathanael. He describes a person without deceit, a simple, innocent person without subtlety, candid, and sincere. Is this a compliment or mild sarcasm? Or is He saying, "Here is a genuine Israelite, one in whom is no falsehood?" If so, He means, "This is how an Israelite should be!"
Regardless, Nathanael's lack of guile impressed Jesus, indicating its rarity. Lying is such an integral part of our lives that we have coined such expressions of disbelief as "Is that so?" "Do you really mean it?" or "You don't say!" because so many tales we hear stretch credulity.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Ninth Commandment (1997)Related Topics: Deceit | Deceitfulness | Falsehood | Guile | Lying | Lying, Sin of | Nathanael | Ninth Commandment | Sin of Lying | The Ninth Commandment
Putting a bridle on our tongue is absolutely essential because a liar is not merely deceived. Each additional lie gets him in deeper and deeper until he loses track and believes his own lies. He tells them or lives them so often that, like an alcoholic, he loses his grip on reality. Each lie adds to the difficulty of changing for the better. If it continues, the person becomes addicted to it as a way of life.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Ninth CommandmentRelated Topics: Control of Tongue | Liars | Lying | Lying, Sin of | Ninth Commandment | Sin of Lying | The Ninth Commandment