The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-11-26
TRUTHFULNEss AT ALL TIMES

TRUTHFULNESS AT ALL TIMES
LESSON TExr-Exodus 2o:ls: 1871. .:
Matthew 5:33-37; John 8:42-45.
GOLDEN TExT-Wherefore putting away
lying speak every man truth with his
neighbor: for we are members one Of an.
other.-Ephesians AIS.
God hates all kinds of dishonesty
"a fact which is emphasized by
the additional commandment re-
garding truthfulness which is before
US in this lesson.
God is truth, that is, the very es-
sence Of His nature is truth. In
Him is no darkness at all Il John
1:5). Lying or false witness there
fore reveals character opposite to
God. Hence we are not surprised
to find in our lesson that Satan is a
liar and the father of lies, and that
liars are his children.
I. The Nature of a Lie (Exod.
20:16; 1871, y.
The commandment against false
witness brings before us one form Of
lying-for it has to do with perjury,
that is, the telling of an untruth in
court.
This is one of the worst forms Of
lying, because it may result in the
one against whom it is practiced los
ing his liberty, his life or his prop
erty. It may mean the destruction
of his good reputation.
1t is obvious, however, that the
comm andment covers all forms of
lying, whether in business, in social
contacts, in the home, or in the
church. We might do well to con-
slider what the Bible has to say
about whisperers, talebearers, back
biters, and others (see Lev. 1915;
II Cor. 12:20). A mans reputation
may be as easily ruined by a whis-
pered lie over the back fence or the
luncheon table as by formal per-
jury in the courtroom. 'Thou shalt
not bear false witness" at any time,
anywhere, or in any way.
III. The Practice of Lying (Matt.
5:33-37).
The people of our Lords day (and
who can say that the custom has
stopped) were in the habit of telling
lies and then trying to make others
believe them by an oath.
They would swear by heaven, or
the throne of God, or some other
sacred thing, and thus try to en-
force their false word by some great
authority.
The liar is always under neces-
sity Of doing something perhaps
telling another lie-to cover his
falsehood. When his comfort or ad-
vantage seems to be endangered be-
cause he is not believed, he brings
an oath to bear upon his statement.
Jesus taught the great virtue of
simple living and simple speech. A
plain Eyes" or mo is usually suf-
ficient for the situation. Qualifying
words are apt to lead US astray.
The life of a Christian should be so
true and above board that no oath
should be needed to assure one Of
his sincerity and honesty.
Since not all are Christians, it is
a necessity that men be placed I'M
der some kind of oath or affirmation
in judicial matters. Hence we need
not interpret this Scripture as for
bidding an oath in court.
It may be well to say a word
about swearing in general. 1t is all
too common among men, women
and children. No Christian should
ever be guilty of it, or that which
sounds like it. We need admoni-
ton and correction at that point.
III. The Source Of All Lies (John
8:42-45).
The devil is liar, and the father
Of lies. Liars are members Of his
family. Jesus said it, aye are Of
your father the devil"
Liars had better consider their
family tree" and see how they like
their spiritual father. He is lustful,
murderous, and there is no truth in
him ". Az. If you belong to that
family would you not like to change
families and be born again into
Gods family?
: Sadly enough the constant lying
of the world seems to have infected
the minds and hearts of Christians.
Instead of being cleansed from this
worldly defilement they carry its aw-
full tendencies into the church. Is il
not too true that gossip (which is
almost always lying), false witness,
the tearing down OF someone's good
name, is all too common in the
church?
The great lie within the church,
and one of Satan's prize exhibits,
is the falsehood of modern religious
liberalism (so-called) which is es-
sentially a denial of real New Testa-
ment Christianity. Jesus said ".
AZ that if God is our Father we
will accept Him as the Christ. The
one who speaks sweet words about
the example, the manhood, the lead
ership of the Master and who denies
Him His place as God is clearly in
mind here as a follower of the IA
Their of lies.
Note that in verses 45-47 Jesus