Years ago, a minister gave an assignment to write about which commandment was the most important.
And while the first commandment is, from a physical perspective this author concluded that if the ninth commandment was obeyed, the world would be a much better, more joyful, and different place.
Imagine a world where you could believe people. Where there were no con artists, no scammers and no more false advertising to take away joy. Where sales people would always have to tell the truth and answer questions truthfully. A world where politicians told the truth. A world where justice would be able to be swiftly implemented.
If people did not lie, the ‘justice system’ would be overhauled, politicians would have to change mightily, wars could be averted, relationships would be stronger, and less people would get hurt. There would be less heart-ache as neither married couples or unmarried couples would be intentionally deceiving their partners. There would be less divorce.
Well, such a world would exist if people did not violate the ninth commandment.
Satan is the father of deceit (John 8:44). That, as well as the violation of the first and seventh commandments, is why Christians do not go to fortune tellers, check their horoscopes, or other such things (cf. Leviticus 19:26, 20:6; Deuteronomy 4:19-20; Jeremiah 10:2).
The ninth commandment, from the Book of Exodus, states:
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16, NKJV throughout except when otherwise specified)
The Book of Proverbs teaches:
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight. (Proverbs 12:22)
5 A faithful witness does not lie,
But a false witness will utter lies. (Proverbs 14:5)
Isaiah recorded:
8... "Surely they are My people,
Children who will not lie." (Isaiah 63:8)
So, the Hebrew scriptures teach not to bear false witness, that false witnesses lie, but that the children of God do not lie.
Despite that, some have said the ninth commandment does not specify lying, but obviously God's people are not to lie.
From a Christian perspective, notice some that the New Testament teaches:
9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, (Colossians 3:9)
25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25)
Yet many who claim Christ seem to condone what they call ‘white lies’ as well as other forms of false witness. Christians are to TELL THE TRUTH!
Jesus said:
44 the devil ... 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)
So, we see that the devil was father of lies.
Satan, as the father of lies, apparently told himself the first lie, before he told any to anyone else.
Isaiah 14:12-15 states:
12 "How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
'I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.'
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)
So the first lie we know of is Satan lying to himself. Vanity, normally considered thinking one is more somehow than one really is, is really lying to oneself.
Why did Satan tell himself what he did?
We can pick up the story in Ezekiel 28:12-17,
12 "Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord God:
"You were the seal of perfection,
Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 You were in Eden, the garden of God;
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you on the day you were created.14 "You were the anointed cherub who covers;
I established you;
You were on the holy mountain of God;
You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created,
Till iniquity was found in you.16 "By the abundance of your trading
You became filled with violence within,
And you sinned;
Therefore I cast you as a profane thing
Out of the mountain of God;
And I destroyed you, O covering cherub,
From the midst of the fiery stones.17 "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty;
You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor;
I cast you to the ground,
I laid you before kings,
That they might gaze at you. (Ezekiel 28:12-17)
In other words, Satan had been made basically perfect, but decided because he was so beautiful and so wise that he believed that he should ascend to God's level. He felt that he was at God's level of authority.
He then told angelic beings various things and then it looks like a third of them followed him (cf. Revelation 12:4).
Just deceiving himself and other angelic beings was not enough for Satan, so he decided to tell Eve a lie.
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die" (Genesis 3:4).
Possibly the first lie by human beings was given by Eve when she said:
3 God has said ... 'nor shall you touch it' " (Genesis 3:3).
Why was that probably the first lie by a human? Because the Bible did not record God saying not to touch it, hence Eve may have presumptuously exaggerated. That is often what gossips and talebearers do.
The Bible refers to Satan as "accuser of our brethren" (Revelation 12:10)--and he has been followed by gossips and talebearers who do so.
Notice that the Bible teaches against that:
15 … In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people … (Leviticus 19:15-16)
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body. (Proverbs 26:20-22)
Though disappointing, even many considering themselves to be Christians have been talebearers. All people should be careful about making accusations as well as passing on unproven accusations of others.
Getting back to Eve, notice that her personal vanity kicked in once Satan pushed her -- though she did not recognize quite what Satan was up to at the time:
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. (Genesis 3:4-6)
Do not think that you cannot deceive yourself--vanity is self-deception-. If you think you cannot be deceived, you are bearing false witness to yourself. You may not think it is false--Eve most likely did not--yet it was false nontheless. Don't kid yourself that you are so much better than Eve that you cannot be deceived as well as deceive yourself. Do not think you can look at anything, including pornography, and can handle it. That is what Satan wants you to think.
The Bible shows it is "the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9). Eve, herself, accepted Satan's lie to her (II Corinthians 11:3) and also deceived herself (Genesis 3:6; I Timothy 2:14), and thus began human deception.
Once Eve did that, Adam went along with disobeying God, and humanity was cursed for that:
13 And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
14 So the Lord God said to the serpent:
"Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle,And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman,And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."
16 To the woman He said:
"I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you."
17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it':
"Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:13-19)
Humanity has suffered ever since. And more problems are coming (cf. Matthew 24:21-22).
Notice something else recorded in Genesis:
3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
6 So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."
8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
9 Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?"
He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:3-9)
Cain apparently felt his way of offering was just as good as Abel's--he lied to himself. Then, because of envy, he murdered. Then he lied to God when he said he did not know where Abel was. His idea towards offering was apparently because of greed as the New Testament warns:
10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. (Jude 10-11)
Cain, like Satan, rebelled against God's authority and lied.
It is because of deceit that Satan gets the world to go in the wrong direction:
9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:9).
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. (Ephesians 2:1-3)
Satan broadcasts his deceitful attitude in ways that human beings, sadly, tune into. Christians need to resist Satan and draw closer to God (James 4:7-8).
Satan does not obey the ninth commandment and does not want you to either.
The Bible warns a lot against pride, haughtiness, and hypocrisy. All are basically forms of false witness against oneself and often others.
Lucifer had pride. Eve had pride. It is a lie to trust oneself above God. Vanity is a lie.
But the “pride of life” (1 John 2:16) affects everyone to one degree or another. Pride puffs up (1 Timothy 3:6).
Furthermore, consider that “every man at his best state is altogether vanity” (Psalm 39:5, KJV). Vanity is the quality of being worthless or futile. Pride and haughtiness lead to destruction (Proverbs 16:18).
Vanity is a common form of false witness.
Trust God and do not lean to prideful wrong understandings (Proverbs 3:5-7).
There were two trees of import in the Garden of Eden: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:9).
It is bad to mix good and evil. The Pharisees did it and were repeatedly called hypocrites by Jesus (Matthew 23:13-29). They were teachers that tried to look good to others, but were actually lawless:
27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Matthew 23:27-28)
But this problem was not limited to the Pharisees of old. Notice also:
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. (Romans 1:18-19)
Many false religious leaders have read much or all of the Bible, but refuse to teach it properly. Even the two-horned beast of Revelation 13:11-16 will apparently be like that. As prophesied, false teachers have affected many (2 Peter 2:1-3).
The Apostle Paul warned those in the Church of God in Corinth:
3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3)
Yes, people who profess Christ can be deceived and most throughout history have not accepted biblical truths as they were deceived by the craftiness of men, and sometimes women, who were deceived by Satan as well as their own vanity and selfishness.
A root principle of all sin is vanity.
2 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
Following Satan's example, one important reason many reject the true God is that they want to be "gods" in their own eyes and the eyes of others. That is vanity.
One reason that many lie is because they are more concerned with their own self-esteem and sense of importance than they are with the ultimate good of their fellow humans. They speak and act falsely because they fear the opinions of others much more than that of Almighty God Himself!
As the Apostle John said of the religious leaders of his day, "they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:43).
Men and women are often ashamed of what they call "failure" in a business or social sense. Many will cheat, falsify and lie in order to avoid this "failure" -- or to cover it up. But from the point of view of what is intrinsically "right" -- and of eternal values -- the thing they should fear is sin.
Furthermore, all should remember, as the Apostle Paul swrote, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) Be careful about vanity and sin.
In the Book of Genesis, we read how Jacob and his mother Rebecca plotted to deceive Isaac:
1 Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, "My son."
And he answered him, "Here I am."
2 Then he said, "Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. 4 And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die."
5 Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it. 6 So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, "Indeed I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, 7 'Bring me game and make savory food for me, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death.' 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you. 9 Go now to the flock and bring me from there two choice kids of the goats, and I will make savory food from them for your father, such as he loves. 10 Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it, and that he may bless you before his death."
11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, "Look, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth-skinned man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be a deceiver to him; and I shall bring a curse on myself and not a blessing."
13 But his mother said to him, "Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me." 14 And he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and his mother made savory food, such as his father loved. 15 Then Rebekah took the choice clothes of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. 16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 Then she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.
18 So he went to his father and said, "My father."
And he said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?"
19 Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me."
20 But Isaac said to his son, "How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?"
And he said, "Because the Lord your God brought it to me."
21 Isaac said to Jacob, "Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not." 22 So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau." 23 And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands; so he blessed him.
24 Then he said, "Are you really my son Esau?"
He said, "I am." (Genesis 27:1-24)
Isaac should have prayed to God about this, but instead relied on his own physical senses.
Anyway, even though Isaac suspected a lie, he blessed Jacob thinking he was Esau:
30 Now it happened, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He also had made savory food, and brought it to his father, and said to his father, "Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that your soul may bless me."
32 And his father Isaac said to him, "Who are you?"
So he said, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau."
33 Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, "Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him — and indeed he shall be blessed."
34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, "Bless me — me also, O my father!"
35 But he said, "Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing."
36 And Esau said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!" And he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?"
37 Then Isaac answered and said to Esau, "Indeed I have made him your master, and all his brethren I have given to him as servants; with grain and wine I have sustained him. What shall I do now for you, my son?" (Genesis 27:30-37)
Esau was not happy about that:
41 So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob."
42 And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, "Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: arise, flee to my brother Laban in Haran. 44 And stay with him a few days, until your brother's fury turns away, 45 until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him; then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereaved also of you both in one day?" (Genesis 27:41-45)
Because of the deceit, Jacob fled. And not just for a few days--basically he was exiled for 20 years per Genesis 31:41! He was also repeatedly cheated by Laban who became his father-in-law (cf. Genesis 31:36-41). Furthermore, even to this day there has been animosity between the descendants of Jacob and Esau. There are short and long term consequences for violating the ninth commandment.
Jacob ended with having 12 sons. One of which was Joseph, who God gave dreams to (Genesis 37:5-9). But instead of his family believing him, his brothers envied him:
10 So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?" 11 And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind. (Genesis 37:10-11)
Envy and lying often go together as we saw with Cain.
Jacob was later deceived by his sons lied and said they found Joseph's torn up coat of many colors (Genesis 37:31--Jacob then mourned for a long time (cf. Genesis 37:34).
Joseph, later, refused to commit adultery, and the woman who wanted him to do that, then lied to get him put into prison:
11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. 13 And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, 14 that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, "See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside." (Genesis 39:11-15)
19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, "Your servant did to me after this manner," that his anger was aroused. 20 Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (Genesis 39:19-22)
Even though his brothers and later his owner's wife lied against Joseph, God had a plan for Joseph. Remember that the Bible says:
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
And that is true, despite those that lie about us and seek to cause us harm.
Anyway, Joseph went to prison. While in prison, two other prisoners had dreams:
9 Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, "Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, 10 and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. 11 Then Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand."
12 And Joseph said to him, "This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. 13 Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you were his butler. 14 But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. 15 For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon."
16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, "I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. 17 In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head."
18 So Joseph answered and said, "This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from you."
20 Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. 21 Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. (Genesis 40:9-23)
When you make promises you are supposed to keep them. Notice also the following:
2 If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. (Numbers 29:39)
It is wrong to tell someone you will do something, then not do it. If you promise you are to fulfill it. There will be less heartache and bitterness if people always told the truth.
Well getting back to Genesis, finally, the chief butler did keep his promise:
9 Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: "I remember my faults this day. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, 11 we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. 12 Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. 13 And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him."
14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:9-15)
Consider that because the chief butler finally kept his promise, Egypt ended up being saved from a famine that came seven years later. Furthermore, notice:
18 Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we are your servants."
19 Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." (Genesis 50:18-21)
Yes, Joseph's brothers had fear and guilt for many years. Despite their plans, Joseph was faithful and God used him to save them and others.
Let it also be noted that lack of faith is deceit.
God is real and His word is true.
When you deviate from it, you are deceiving yourself.
Despite how Joseph saved Egypt, eventually, a pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph per Exodus 1:8.
He was a harsh and cruel man (Exodus 1:9-16).
He was replaced by another. God sent Moses to him to tell him to let His people go. On several occasions, Pharaoh agreed, then broke his promise:
8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Entreat the Lord that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord." (Exodus 8:8)
15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said. (Exodus 8:15)
25 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God in the land." (Exodus 8:25)
32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go. (Exodus 8:32)
27 And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "I have sinned this time. The Lord is righteous, and my people and I are wicked. 28 Entreat the Lord, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail, for it is enough. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer." (Exodus 9:27-28)
35 So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of Israel go, as the Lord had spoken by Moses. (Exodus 9:35)
7 Then Pharaoh's servants said to him, "How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?" (Exodus 10:7)
A consequence of Pharaoh breaking his promises was that his nation was being destroyed. But he was stubborn and persuaded himself he was right--his pride and vanity often got to him. But sometimes he questioned his approach, yet he still would not keep his word:
8 So Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, and he said to them, "Go, serve the Lord your God. Who are the ones that are going?"
9 And Moses said, "We will go with our young and our old; with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we will go, for we must hold a feast to the Lord."
10 Then he said to them, "The Lord had better be with you when I let you and your little ones go! Beware, for evil is ahead of you. 11 Not so! Go now, you who are men, and serve the Lord, for that is what you desired." And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. (Exodus 10:8-11)
Pharaoh apparently felt he did not have to keep his word to those he felt were beneath him. I ran into that same attitude in my former COG, which is why I had to leave it (see Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God).
Anyway, back to Pharaoh:
16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, and said, "I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you. 17 Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and entreat the Lord your God, that He may take away from me this death only." 18 So he went out from Pharaoh and entreated the Lord. 19 And the Lord turned a very strong west wind, which took the locusts away and blew them into the Red Sea. There remained not one locust in all the territory of Egypt. 20 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go. (Exodus 10:16-20)
Before you overly condemn pharaoh, consider how many times do you have to go through the same type of trial before you REALLY will change as you should? More than most of us want to admit.
Back to Pharaoh:
24 Then Pharaoh called to Moses and said, "Go, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back. Let your little ones also go with you."
25 But Moses said, "You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. 26 Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. For we must take some of them to serve the Lord our God, and even we do not know with what we must serve the Lord until we arrive there."
27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. (Exodus 10:24-28)
Pharaoh thought he knew better than God. So, do we sometimes, though normally not so publicly.
In Pharaoh's case, after his nation was devastated and his son killed, he finally relented and let the children of Israel go.
But, as we see later, he changed his mind and then got his army drowned in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:27-29).
Do not harden your heart and break your vows like Pharaoh. Things really can get worse if you decide against obeying God.
Pay all your vows:
14 Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High. (Psalm 50:14)
Learn the lesson from Pharaoh. Do not resist obeying God.
The Book of Ecclesiates teaches:
1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
2 Do not be rash with your mouth,
And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.
For God is in heaven, and you on earth;
Therefore let your words be few.
3 For a dream comes through much activity,
And a fool's voice is known by his many words.4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it;
For He has no pleasure in fools.
Pay what you have vowed —
5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7)
So, be careful about promises you make to God or to other people.
Sadly, many think they will do things, but then they persuade themselves otherwise.
Notice:
1 Now all the captains of the forces, Johanan the son of Kareah, Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people, from the least to the greatest, came near 2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet, "Please, let our petition be acceptable to you, and pray for us to the Lord your God, for all this remnant (since we are left but a few of many, as you can see), 3 that the Lord your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do."
4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, "I have heard. Indeed, I will pray to the Lord your God according to your words, and it shall be, that whatever the Lord answers you, I will declare it to you. I will keep nothing back from you."
5 So they said to Jeremiah, "Let the Lord be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the Lord your God sends us by you. 6 Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God."
7 And it happened after ten days that the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. 8 Then he called Johanan the son of Kareah, all the captains of the forces which were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, 9 and said to them, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition before Him: 10 'If you will still remain in this land, then I will build you and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pluck you up. For I relent concerning the disaster that I have brought upon you. 11 Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,' says the Lord, 'for I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand. 12 And I will show you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and cause you to return to your own land.'
13 "But if you say, 'We will not dwell in this land,' disobeying the voice of the Lord your God, 14 saying, 'No, but we will go to the land of Egypt where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor be hungry for bread, and there we will dwell' — 15 Then hear now the word of the Lord, O remnant of Judah! Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: 'If you wholly set your faces to enter Egypt, and go to dwell there, 16 then it shall be that the sword which you feared shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt; the famine of which you were afraid shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there you shall die. 17 So shall it be with all the men who set their faces to go to Egypt to dwell there. They shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. And none of them shall remain or escape from the disaster that I will bring upon them.'
18 "For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: 'As My anger and My fury have been poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so will My fury be poured out on you when you enter Egypt. And you shall be an oath, an astonishment, a curse, and a reproach; and you shall see this place no more.'
19 "The Lord has said concerning you, O remnant of Judah, 'Do not go to Egypt!' Know certainly that I have admonished you this day. 20 For you were hypocrites in your hearts when you sent me to the Lord your God, saying, 'Pray for us to the Lord our God, and according to all that the Lord your God says, so declare to us and we will do it.' 21 And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God, or anything which He has sent you by me. 22 Now therefore, know certainly that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go to dwell." (Jeremiah 42:1-22)
43 Now it happened, when Jeremiah had stopped speaking to all the people all the words of the Lord their God, for which the Lord their God had sent him to them, all these words, 2 that Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men spoke, saying to Jeremiah, "You speak falsely! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, 'Do not go to Egypt to dwell there.' 3 But Baruch the son of Neriah has set you against us, to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they may put us to death or carry us away captive to Babylon." 4 So Johanan the son of Kareah, all the captains of the forces, and all the people would not obey the voice of the Lord, to remain in the land of Judah. (Jeremiah 43:1-4)
They decided 1) to not keep their word, 2) to make up bad things about Jeremiah, and 3) not to listen to a prophet of God.
They were warned. But, because they did not listen, they were told that they would experience horrible things.
In these end times, most Christians who will not listen to a prophet of God will also be subject to horrible things (cf. Daniel 7:25b; Revelation 12:14, 13:5-7).
In the Book of Acts someone sold some land and made a donation.
36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:36-37)
Well, there was a married couple who apparently wanted to praised and wanted to be spoken of as very generous as well, but they lied:
5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?"
She said, "Yes, for so much."
9 Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. (Acts 5:5-11)
Notice that Ananias and Sapphira were not chastised for not giving all, but for lying about what they gave. The consequences were deadly.
The spiritual consequences could be worse:
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:14-15)
Here are some things that Jesus taught:
33 Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord. 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all (Mathew 5:33-34).
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts...false witness...20 These are the things which defile a man (Matthew 15:19-20).
18 You shall not bear false witness (Matthew 19:18).
19 Do not bear false witness (Mark 10:19).
20 You know the commandments:...Do not bear false witness (Luke 18:20).
2 And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars (Revelation 2:2).
Notice what Paul taught:
9 You shall not bear false witness (Romans 13:9).
19 I do not lie (Galatians 1:19).
25 Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each of you speak truth with his neighbor' (Ephesians 4:25).
9 Do not lie to one another (Colossians 3:9).
9...the lawless and insubordinate...10 liars...perjurers (1 Timothy 1:9,10).
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy (1 Timothy 4:1-2).
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be...3 slanderers (2 Timothy 3:1,3).
2 God, who cannot lie (Titus 1:2).
18...it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).
Christians are not to lie and bear false witness.
Although many religious people claim that they want to believe the truth, many really do not.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)
If you believe that Protestantism is the proper faith, have you really tested it? Are you really abstaining "from every form of evil"? You should prayerfully and carefully check out the free online book: Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism.
If you believe that Greco-Roman Catholicism is the proper faith, have you really tested it? Are you really abstaining "from every form of evil"? You should prayerfully and carefully check out the free online book: Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession?
The fact is that those faiths do not understand God's purpose (see the free online book The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You?) or His plan of salvation (see also the free online book: Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God's plan of salvation).
The Pharisees of Jesus' day thought they were properly trained and knew the truth of God.
Yet, Jesus disagreed and said:
45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. (John 8:45-47)
The reason they did not believe the truth is that they followed Satan's lies, including accepting various traditions above the word of God (Matthew 15:3-9). The same thing affects many in this day. They idolized their traditions and their improper interpretations of the Bible above scripture.
The Apostle Paul warned:
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. ...
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:4,8)
Paul is warning against those who fall for intellectual vanity of non-biblical philosophies as well as those who want to rely more on traditions of men than the Bible.Do NOT let smooth talkers or traditions of men deceive you. That is what has basically happened to the Greco-Roman Catholics and Protestants as well as most who fell away from the Church of God the late 20th century.
Notice the following prophecy:
19 The Gentiles shall come to You
From the ends of the earth and say,
"Surely our fathers have inherited lies,
Worthlessness and unprofitable things." (Jeremiah 16:19)
Yes, the time will come when many will realize that their beliefs were traditions based on lies.
One other thing that perhaps should be pointed out is that because of INTENTION MISTRANSLATIONS of certain scriptures, such as in the 4th chapter of Hebrews and the 2nd chapter of Colossians, most who profess Christ do not realize that Christians are to keep God's Sabbath or His Holy Days--instead they keep pagan holidays that their ancestors encouraged (see Should You Keep God's Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?).
Notice:
19 “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The traditional fasts and times of mourning you have kept in early summer, midsummer, autumn, and winter are now ended. They will become festivals of joy and celebration for the people of Judah. So love truth and peace. (Zechariah 8:19, NLT)
Joy, truth, and peace are associated with God's festivals--but that is not the same for pagan ones.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
20 ... I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)
So, do not deceive yourself it is fine to compromise with the world's demonic holidays they claim are Christian.
The Apostle Peter added:
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Do not cling to family religious traditions above the word of God. We are to be unblemished and not believe or love lies.
Idolatry is wrong for many reasons, but one is that people lie to themselves that some physical object either represents God, which it does not, or that something (like traditionally understanding) is more important than God, which it is not.
What is called common sense should tell people that. God had Isaiah record the following:
13 The craftsman stretches out his rule,
He marks one out with chalk;
He fashions it with a plane,
He marks it out with the compass,
And makes it like the figure of a man,
According to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house.
14 He cuts down cedars for himself,
And takes the cypress and the oak;
He secures it for himself among the trees of the forest.
He plants a pine, and the rain nourishes it.15 Then it shall be for a man to burn,
For he will take some of it and warm himself;
Yes, he kindles it and bakes bread;
Indeed he makes a god and worships it;
He makes it a carved image, and falls down to it.
16 He burns half of it in the fire;
With this half he eats meat;
He roasts a roast, and is satisfied.
He even warms himself and says,
"Ah! I am warm,
I have seen the fire."
17 And the rest of it he makes into a god,
His carved image.
He falls down before it and worships it,
Prays to it and says,
"Deliver me, for you are my god!"18 They do not know nor understand;
For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see,
And their hearts, so that they cannot understand.
19 And no one considers in his heart,
Nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say,
"I have burned half of it in the fire,
Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals;
I have roasted meat and eaten it;
And shall I make the rest of it an abomination?
Shall I fall down before a block of wood?"
20 He feeds on ashes;
A deceived heart has turned him aside;
And he cannot deliver his soul,
Nor say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?" (Isaiah 44:13-20)
Yes, idols are obvious self-deception. The same facts above are also true about crosses and various things some consider to be lucky charms.
As far as crosses go, do not let mistranslations of the Bible (the anicent Greek term for a cross is not used in the New Testament) nor false traditions deceive you otherwise. Not only were crosses not part of the original Christian faith, after the Greco-Romans pushed them so hard, groups with ties to the original Christian church, like the Paterines and Cathari, declared that the cross, or at least the adoration of the cross, was the mark of the beast (see What is the Origin of the Cross as a Claimed 'Christian' Symbol? ). Whether it will be a mark of the Beast, it is not something Christians should deceive themselves about or venerate.
Even some secular sources recognize problems with self-deception. The Atlantic posted the following:
Quit Lying to Yourself
November 18, 2021
No one wants to be seen as a liar. Liars are considered untrustworthy at best and immoral at worst. And yet, we are perfectly content to lie to ourselves all the time. “I’ll enjoy this sleeve of Oreos today because my diet starts tomorrow,” I might tell myself. Or, “I love my job; who cares that I complain about it constantly?” Or even 'ironically' “I am always honest with myself.”
Deceiving yourself shouldn’t make logical sense. After all, lying involves telling someone something you know to be untrue. When you are both the liar and one lied to, this means you have to both know the truth and not know the truth. In practice, that means willfully disregarding key knowledge to arrive at a conclusion that is more convenient than what the facts appear to suggest.
Everyone self-deceives, but that doesn’t make it harmless. At high levels, it is associated with poor mental health. At moderate levels, it can temporarily protect the self-deceiver from bad feelings but still presents a barrier to the deep well-being that comes from living with integrity. To be really happy, we must learn to be completely honest with ourselves.
If you are willfully oblivious to your flaws, you can’t correct them. https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/11/self-deception-honesty-lying/620739/?utm_source=pocket-newtab
Related to that last statement, consider the following scriptures:
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10)
Repentance is needed so we can believe, live, and understand the truth.
Do not deceive yourself that "you deserve it," so you smoke another cigarette, eat much more than you should, drink too much alcohol, or even steal something. Satan convinced himself he deserved things that he did not--do not fall for his pressue that you deserve something you should not have. Remember, Eve basically fell for that type of deception.
In modern times, movies, social media, academia, and the media can also get people to have false ideas about themselves as well as the opposition sex. Strive to not allow such to deeive you.
It should be pointed out that various non-biblical researchers have concluded that there are costs associated with self-deception. Here is something that the BBC reported:
The invisible downside of cheating in life
People who take shortcuts can trick themselves into believing they are smarter than they are, says Tom Stafford, and it comes back to bite them.
The researchers ran another experiment to check that the effect was really due to the cheaters’ inflated belief in their own abilities. In this experiment, students were offered a cash reward for accurately predicting their scores on the second test. Sure enough, those who had been given the opportunity to cheat overestimated their ability and lost out earning 20% less than the other students.
The implication is that people in Chance’s experiment people very much like you and me had tricked themselves into believing they were smarter than they were. There may be benefits from doing this confidence, satisfaction, or more easily gaining the trust of others but there are also certainly disadvantages. Whenever circumstances change and you need to accurately predict how well you’ll do, it can cost to believe you’re better than you are.
That self-deception has its costs has some interesting implications. Morally, most of us would say that self-deception is wrong. But aside from whether self-deception is undesirable, we should expect it to be present in all of us to some degree (because of the benefits), but to be limited as well (because of the costs).
Self-deception isn’t something that is always better in larger doses there must be an amount of it for which the benefits outweigh the costs, most of the time. We’re probably all self-deceiving to some degree. The irony being, because it is self-deception, we can’t know how often. http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150225-unexpected-downside-for-cheaters
Yes, deception hurts.
Even people think that they are right with God can be deceived. Notice the following:
1 Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; 2 and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. 3 They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?" (Numbers 16:1-3)
Korah and his followers deceived themselves that they were as good as God's anointed. That was self-deception. It is easy to do that, if you think God's anointed is wrong--yet God's anointed can be wrong, but one still should not rebel as happened with Samuel (see 1 Samuel 8:1-7).
Then Korah and his followers falsely accused Moses and Aaron of exalting THEMSELVES above the assembly--as God is the one that did that. Moses warned them, but they would not listen (Numbers 16:8-14). God then had Moses tell them that they would be subject, not to the normal death--like by aging--but by something different. Then God had the earth open and swallow them up (Numbers 16:31-33). God sometimes has people who rebel against His leaders killed before they would normally die.
Self-deception is dangerous.
Jesus said:
11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)
There are several points to make here related to those statements. One is that people who were supposed to be God's people deceived themselves and did not believe God's prophets. Second, that people fell for believing false reports about the prophets. Third, that, like Eve, people thought that they were being wise by thinking that God's prophets were of no real importance as they did not accept their testimony as prophets.
One form of self-deception is to believe falsehoods about others, which makes many wrongly feel better about themselves.
Even Christians can, and have been, deceived and wrongly judged about such matters--as we have seen since early 2023. Jesus taught:
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:3-5)
Related to end time prophecies, Jesus warned:
4 Take heed that no one deceives you. (Matthew 24:4)
One reason that Jesus said that was because He knew that people who professed Him would be deceived.
Jesus also warned that most Christians in the end times would be deceived:
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:14-19)
Laodiceans have deceived themselves. One characteristic of them is that they do not believe in proper hierarchical church government with a true prophet in charge (see The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government). This is one reason that the Laodiceans have so many misunderstandings of prophecy that they will not know when the Great Tribulation will start until it is too late (see also Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?).
Most real endtime Christians are Laodiceans who believe that they are fine, but will not change and support the work like they should--this is self-deception (though various ministers have also helped deceive them). One of the consequences of being Laodicean is that Laodiceans are going to die during the Great Tribulation (cf. Daniel 7:25b; Revelation 13:5-10)-- they are not promised the protection that the Philadelphian Christians are in Revelation 3:7-10 (see There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra).
Notice the following:
12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,
Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
13 There is a generation — oh, how lofty are their eyes!
And their eyelids are lifted up. (Proverbs 30:12-13)
Yes, we are seeing that in this generation in the world.
But a read of what Jesus said to the Laodiceans ties into the warning about that same generation.
Do not believe that it is sufficient, for example, mainly to accept Jesus and strive to keep the commandments. While you should do that, if you are not supporting the Philadelphian work, Satan will be after you once the true remnant of the Philadelphia Church flees as the following shows:
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:13-17)
Do not deceive yourself or wait until it is too late. DO NOT DECEIVE YOURSELF THAT YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME. While there still is time, those who rely on telling themselves they do not have to support the Philadelphia work yet, but will somehow know at the end are deceiving themselves! This is one reason that there are warnings from Jesus and others in the Bible related to this.
Many Christians do not believe that they lie when they make a promise or a commitment and then do not follow through. That is also bearing false witness.
Do not overpromise. Jesus taught:
33 Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. (Matthew 5:33-37)
Some people overpromise. Jesus said not to do that. Christians are not to swear oaths as that, as Jesus alluded to, is a form of false witness. While Christians can confirm/affirm their word is true, they cannot swear that they can make something happen, etc.
It is terrible how easily people these days lie, and how often even Christians do not follow through with their promises!
God’s people keep their word, even when it is difficult:
1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. 4 Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. (Psalm 15:1-4, New Living Translation).
You do not think to yourself, "Well I promised, but it is too hard to do, so I will not do it." Those who are to enter God's holy presence are to keep their promises.
Because the leadership of this author’s former church association would not keep various specific promises, (nor did they believe that Matthew 18 applied to them) even when reminded, it was clear that the Philadelphia work (Revelation 3:7-13; Hebrews 13:1; Psalm 33:4) could not be led by them (see also Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God). Thus, the Continuing Church of God needed to be formed.
Notice also that in Psalm 15 it shows that God’s people are to be careful about gossip. We are not to bear false witness against our neighbor, yet gossips often do that. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves (cf. Matthew 19:19).
If you are going to speak, always tell the truth. The truth and God’s word sets Christians apart:
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:16-17)
God's word is truth.
Even if some who claim to have knowledge or science contradicts the Bible remember to:
20 ... keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. (1 Timothy 6:20-21, KJV)
20 ... Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge — 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. (1 Timothy 6:20-21, NKJV)
Do not let others, like evolutionists for example (see also the free online book: Is God’s Existence Logical?), deceive you as others have been deceived by many claims throughout history.
Notice no matter how smart someone may seem, the Bible clearly teaches:
4 Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)
Furthermore, remember that the Bible clearly teaches that, “God, who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2) and that “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18).
And the truth is that Jesus warned humanity would get to the point of utter destruction:
21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22)
The fruits of following Satan's lying ways are horrible! Whereas it is the elect that keep the commandments--including the ninth one.
The following came from a French COG (Eglise de Dieu LE SIÈCLE A VENIR Association Française):
Nous vivons dans une société remplie de mensonges, pour ne citer que les fêtes, les publicités, la politique, etc. Dans le neuvième commandement, nous lisons : "Tu ne porteras point de faux témoignage contre ton prochain" (Exode 20:16 ; Deutéronome 5:20).
Mais qu'en est-il exactement du mensonge ? Le neuvième commandement signifie qu'il ne faut pas commettre de parjure en faisant un faux témoignage contre une personne devant un corps judiciaire. Mais cela inclut bien plus. Lévitique 19:11 amplifie le neuvième commandement en interdisant toutes les formes de mensonges : ""Vous ne déroberez point, et vous n'userez ni de mensonge ni de tromperie les uns envers les autres". Cette loi protège la réputation de toutes les personnes droites et honnêtes contre les calomnies et les mensonges échafaudés et propagés pour nuire aux autres. Exode 23:1 dit : "Tu ne répandras point de feux bruit. Tu ne te joindras point au méchant pour faire un faux témoignage." Un voleur dérobe seulement des biens matériels. Mais un cambrioleur peut voler à un homme sa réputation et son estime aux yeux des autres. Dieu dit : "Comme une massue, une épée et une flèche aiguë, ainsi est un homme qui porte un faux témoignage contre son prochain" (Proverbe 25:18). En effet, Dieu voit la ruine d'une réputation comme une forme de meurtre ! L'une des choses que le Tout-Puissant cite dans Sa sainte parole comme quelque chose qu'Il hait, est : "(...) la langue menteuse, (...) Le faux témoin qui dit des mensonges" (Proverbes 6:17-19). Dieu veut que nous disions toujours la vérité : "Celui qui dit la vérité proclame la justice, et le faux témoins la tromperie (...) La lèvre véridique est affermie pour toujours, mais la langue fausse ne subsiste qu'un instant (...) Les lèvres fausses sont en horreur à l'Eternel, mais ceux qui agissent avec vérité lui sont agréables" (Proverbes 12:17,19,22). https://www.lesiecleavenir.fr/_files/ugd/d8855d_309d0c94b63d4ffb93e19f910d989966.pdf
Machine-translated into English it says:
We live in a society full of lies, to name only the holidays, the
advertisements, politics, etc. In the ninth commandment we read: "You shall not
bear no false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy
5:20). But what exactly is lying?
The ninth commandment means that one must not commit perjury by
giving false testimony against a person before a judicial body.
But it includes much more. Leviticus 19:11 amplifies the ninth commandment by
prohibiting all forms of lies: "You shall not steal, and you
do not lie or deceive one another.
This law protects the reputation of all upright and honest people against
slander and lies fabricated and spread to harm others. Exodus
23:1 says, “You shall not shed fire and noise. You shall not join with the
wicked to give false testimony." A thief only steals property
materials. But a burglar can rob a man of his reputation and esteem
in the eyes of others.
God said: "As a club, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is one
a man who bears false witness against his neighbor” (Proverb 25:18).
Indeed, God sees the ruin of a reputation as a form of murder!
One of the things that the Almighty cites in His holy word as something
thing that He hates, is: "(...) the lying tongue, (...) The false witness who speaks
lies" (Proverbs 6:17-19).
God wants us to always tell the truth: “He who speaks the truth proclaims
righteousness, and false witnesses deception (...) The truthful lip is established
forever, but the false tongue lasts only for a moment (...) The lips
falsehoods are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act truthfully
are pleasant" (Proverbs 12:17,19,22).
Yes, truthful lips are pleasant to God.
The Bible shows the ninth commandment was in place before Mt. Sinai:
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. 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). “Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die”...The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate’. So the LORD God said to the serpent: ‘Because you have done this, You are cursed’”(Genesis 3:4,13-14). “But you forgers of lies, You are all worthless physicians” (Job 13:4). “Now if it is not so, who will prove me a liar, And make my speech worth nothing?” (Job 24:25). “My lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit” (Job 27:4). “Should I lie concerning my right?” (Job 34:6). “For truly my words are not false” (Job 36:4).
Jesus taught and expanded the ninth commandment:
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord. But I say to you, do not swear at all” (Matthew 5:33-34). “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts...false witness...These are the things which defile a man” (Matthew 15:19-20). “You shall not bear false witness” (Matthew 19:18). “Do not bear false witness” (Mark 10:19). “You know the commandments:...Do not bear false witness” (Luke 18:20). “And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars” (Revelation 2:2).
After Jesus was resurrected, the New Testament taught the ninth commandment:
“You shall not bear false witness” (Romans 13:9). “Therefore, putting away lying” (Ephesians 4:25). “Do not lie to one another” (Colossians 3:9). “the lawless and insubordinate...liars...perjurers” (1 Timothy 1:9,10). “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy” (1 Timothy 4:1-2). “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be...slanderers” (2 Timothy 3:1,3). “God, who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie...You have not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:3,4). “They also set up false witnesses” (Acts 6:13). “having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who defile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed” (1 Peter 3:16). “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber” (2 Peter 2:3). He who says ‘I know Him’, and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). “I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth” (1 John 2:21). “And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars” (Revelation 2:2). “But ...liars...shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev 21:8). “But outside are...whoever loves and practices a lie” (Revelation 22:15).
Your life would be better if you did not lie to yourself.
The world would be a so much better place if people did not lie and would keep their word.
Almost no crime.
More justice.
More joy and less bitterness.
Better government.
Less heartache.
Better family cohesion.
You could trust your neighbor, including those you do not know, and they, too, could trust you.
Yes, keeping the ninth commandment in this age would lead to a better world.
That said, a better age is coming:
2 "When I choose the proper time, I will judge uprightly. (Psalm 75:2)
30 ... God ... 31 He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. (Acts 17:30, 31)
A truthful and righteous judge will make the world a better place.
Notice who is and is not going to be there:
23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. (Revelation 21:23-27)
Do you want your name "written in the Lamb's Book of Life"? Do you want it not to be erased?
Do not lie.
And also pray, as Jesus said, for God's kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10).
Related to God's kingdom, the Psalmist as well as Isaiah prophesied:
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord,
9 For He is coming to judge the earth.
With righteousness He shall judge the world,
And the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98:8-9)13 Sing, O heavens!
Be joyful, O earth!
And break out in singing, O mountains!
For the Lord has comforted His people,
And will have mercy on His afflicted. (Isaiah 49:13)
God's kingdom will be a joyful time where you will be able to believe people.
Do not bear false witness.
More on the Ten Commandments can be found in the following:
The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.
FIRST COMMANDMENT: Priorities and the Most Broken Commandment Which commandment is broken the most? Which one is most involved with what should be your top priority? Here is a link to a related sermon: The Most Violated Commandment and Priorities.
SECOND COMMANDMENT: What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did the early Church use icons? What was the position of Christians about such things? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
THIRD COMMANDMENT: Words Matter Are you obeying the Third Commandment? Are you sure? Could you be blaspheming with your euphemisms or life actions? Here is a link to a related sermon: Third Commandment Plus: Words Matter. Here is a link to a shorter video: Was Increased Cursing Prophesied?
FOURTH COMMANDMENT: The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church? Here is a link to a related sermon: Fourth Commandment: Saturday or Sunday?
FIFTH COMMANDMENT: Honor and Be Honorable The fifth commandment involves family relationships. Is it more than parents and children? What about love and ruling well your household? Here is a link to a related sermon: Honor Your Parents and Rule Honorably.
SIXTH COMMANDMENT: Anger, Murder, Abortion, Sports, Self-Control, & Kindness Is there more to the 6th commandment than not murdering? What about abortion, hate, and violent sports? What is the attitude real Christians should have? Here is a link to a related sermon:: Murder, anger, kindness, and love.
SEVENTH COMMANDMENT: Love and Faithfulness, Not Sexual Immorality The seventh commandment prohibits adultery. Jesus made it clear that it involved more than marital infiedlity. What about the LGBTQ+ movement and the Bible? Here is a link to a related video sermon: 7th Commandment: Love and Faithfulness.
EIGHTH COMMANDMENT: Give not take. The eighth commandment prohibits stealing. This includes thievery, not tithing, debasing currency, cheating, and many other wrong acts.
The Ten Commandments in Hebrew This is a photo of a Hebrew document from the 2nd century, B.C.
Were the Ten Commandments in Effect Before Mount Sinai? Some have said not. This article provides biblical quotes to answer this important question. A sermon of related interest is titled Were the Ten Commandments in Place prior to Mt. Sinai?
Job and the Ten Commandments Was Job written prior to Mount Sinai? Did Job know about the ten commandments? This article provides biblical answers to those questions.
What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
Were the Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross? Some have said so. This article provides some biblical quotes to answer this important question. Here is a link to a related sermon: Were the Ten Commandments 'Nailed to the Cross'?
What Did Paul Actually Teach About the Ten Commandments? Many say Paul taught against the ten commandments. Is this true? This article quotes Paul with his words in green.
Are the Ten Commandment Still in Effect? This article quotes the ten commandments and combines some of the previous articles into one article about the ten commandments. The commandments are shown at Mount Sinai, before Mount Sinai, in the teachings of Jesus, after the crucifixion, and in the teachings of Paul. It addresses the most common "traditions of men" regarding them as well. Here is a version in the Spanish language:.¿Están vigentes todavía los diez mandamientos?
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it? Many believe that the Pharisees were condemned for keeping the law, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for? A related sermon is titled Jesus, Pharisees, and the Ten Commandments.
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught? For a more detailed discussion of the first four commandments, please see the video The Ten Commandments: Loving God--and here is a link to a related article in Spanish: Los primeros cuatro mandamientos: Amar a Dios. For a more detailed discussion of the last six commandments, please see: The Ten Commandments: Loving Your Neighbor. Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese SAga‹ëT}f>y:r1ÿ ÝSÍ‹ëT}v„\1f/ª`vv„
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John's writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments: Cause and Effect Is everything random? Why do things happen? Are there just two ways? Should Christians keep the ten commandments? A related sermon is also available: Cause and Effect: Two Trees, Two Ways.
Love and Who is My Brother? This is an article with 1/2 of the information from late CCOG deacon Richard Close. It talks about love, the ten commandments,and who are your brothers and sisters and neighbors. Here is a link a related sermon: Love Your Brother and Neighbor.
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings. A related sermon is titled: Christians and the Ten Commandments.
Thiel B., Ph.D. The Ninth Commandment: For a Better World. COGwriter 2024 (c) https://www.cogwriter.com/ninthcommandment.htm 2024 0710