Ephesians 4:25 Why putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. I. LYING IS AN ABOMINABLE HABIT. 1. To lie is diametrically opposed to truth, therefore to the whole Diving law, and not to one commandment only, as other sins. 2. Truth is a perfection of the Godhead, while lying is the sin of the devil. 3. Lying is very detrimental to human society. The greatest blessing in the world is the intercourse — the communion — of man with man. If this blessing be taken away, the whole world would be turned into chaos. Such would be the inevitable result, if all men were addicted to lying; and it is partly so now. II. LYING IS A HABIT WHICH IS PUNISHED HERE ON EARTH. 1. Telling lies degrades a man in the estimation of his fellow men. If a lie were not a foul blot in a man, why are even bad men so cautious not to be caught in a lie? 2. God will punish the liar (Psalm 5:7). 3. If God hates and punishes lying so severely, how great will be His hatred of perjury, which is lying confirmed by oath! The confirmation of testimony by oath has been ordained by God Himself (Deuteronomy 6:18). An oath is for confirmation. For men it is the end of all controversy. It follows that the perjurer, as far as in him lies, abolishes the last means of ascertaining the truth. Shall not God avenge? (Zechariah 5:4.) (J. B. Campadelli.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. |
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