The third chapter of the book of Genesis begins with an ominous and neglected phrase: “Now the serpent was more subtil (cunning) than any beast of the field…” Revelation 12:9 and 20:2 identify Satan as speaking through that serpent. Jesus said of Satan that there is no truth in him and that he is the father of lies (John 8:44). Some of the lies of Satan are very easy to identify, but being cunning, most of his lies have enough camouflage that they appear to be truths. Adam and Eve fell for a lie and every time a person accepts a lie as being true, there is great consequence. By definition, a lie is a statement that seeks to convey a thought that is not true. The words of a lie may be true, but the intended thought is not. Not under consideration in this THOUGHT is a statement that is sometimes called a “misspeak.” Such a statement is where a person innocently uses an incorrect word. Consider the following examples of lies:
-The Blatant Lie: This occurs when what is stated simply does not conform to reality and it is easy to detect. For example, Ben Franklin was the first president of the United States.
-The Contextual Lie: It has been said that a text, out of context, is a pretext for error. This often happens with the interpretation of Scripture. For example, people often say that the Bible says we are not to judge others. This conclusion is based on Matthew 7:1. But the context of this passage prohibits hypocritical judgment (accusing others of sin when the accuser is doing the same). 1 Corinthians 2:15 states that, “He that is spiritual judges all things…” If a righteous judicial system was not present in our government, our society would ultimately crumble.
-The Opinionated Lie: This is a lie that is stated as a universal truth. Sometimes this is stated as a personal preference, such as, “McDonald’s has the best French Fries.” Not everyone will agree. A true statement might be, “My personal opinion is that McDonald’s has the best French Fries.” Often, but not always, this lie will appear in a prediction of the future. “If someone does this then this will result.”
-The Misinterpreted Lie: This is a repetition of someone’s previous statement that was misunderstood by the hearer to mean something that the speaker never intended. Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). He spoke of His body and His resurrection, but the ones who heard Him understood Him to mean the physical Temple in Jerusalem and repeated their understanding to the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:58).
-The Inferred Lie: This is one of those statements where the words are true, but it is intended to communicate a false thought. This is one that Satan used in the Garden of Eden. He declared that if Adam & Eve took of the forbidden fruit that their eyes would be opened and that they would know good and evil for they would be as gods. When they sinned, their eyes were opened, they did know good and evil, but they did not benefit and become as gods.
-The Exaggerated Lie: This is typically the fisherman’s story. “The fish that got away was this | | big when in reality it was this | | big. Children often use this lie to explain bad behavior with the exclamation, “Everyone does it.” Be suspicious when such words as always, every, never or no one are used in a statement. Rarely is the statement true.
-The Partial Lie: Sometimes this is called a half-truth. This is very similar to the Inferred Lie. This lie often is found in the answer to a question. I must admit I used this lie recently. My wife asked me if “I was up,” at a certain time. I answered truthfully, “Yes.” What she meant by her question was did I get up at a certain time. I had actually gotten up an hour before the time she asked. While my answer was truthful, it did not truly answer the question that I knew she wanted to ask. Politicians are great for using this lie. “If I’m elected, I will do all these wonderful things for you,” is what is stated. What is not stated is what it will cost you to do all those wonderful things. I believe it is safe to say that a partial truth is a complete lie (notice how I stated this as an opinion so as not to lie).
It is important for people to know the truth. I hear people say that there is no such thing as absolute truth. That assertion is stated as being absolutely true, which makes it a philosophical absurdity. We are living in a day and age where more and more people have little regard for the things of God, particularly the person of Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). So, it is not surprising that truth is becoming a rare commodity.