If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
We should tell the truth when speaking with one another. Jesus is the truth, and so is the source of truth. The devil is a liar and the source of lies. This raises for us a question - who are we the most influenced by?
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So, what is the truth and what are lies according to the Bible?
- Don’t Lie - We should not lie, for lying belongs to our old nature.
- Don’t give false testimony - One of the 10 Commandments.
- Jesus is Truth - Jesus is the truth, it is not just something He likes.
- Light of the world - Jesus’ light exposes the darkness, and people hide.
- Self Deception - Claims to be without fault can be self deception.
- Devil - father of lies - The devil, a liar from the beginning is the father of lies.
- God deals with a liar - The first sin of the Church was a lie. God dealt with it.
- What are we commanded?
- What is the basis for the command?
Colossians 3: 9 Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Though strictly speaking this command is limited to the law courts, there is a wider sense that embraces gossip, and back bighting. Exodus 20:16
- What are we commanded not to do?
- In what situations do you find yourself in where this could be an issue?
Exodus 20:16 16 "You must not testify falsely against your neighbor”
Jesus not only tells the truth, He IS the truth. John 14:6
- What does Jesus say about Himself and truth?
- If truth is a person, how does this change your understanding of truth?
- How does Jesus value truth over lies?
John 14: 6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Jesus came as the light of the world. Though at first He draws all to himself, it becomes a[parent that to enter His circle comes at a cost.
- Why would a person choose darkness or the light?
- What does it mean to do things through God?
Jn 3:. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.*"
Even living in darkness, most people would prefer to think that they live in the light. This raises the issue of self deception.
- Why would mutually walking in the light be a condition for fellowship?
- How do we walk in fellowship, though doing wrong?
1 John 1: 7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.
Satan is the father of lies, and so he is also the father of those who lie. John 8:42-44
- How does Jesus describe those who cannot hear what He has to say?
- Who is the source of lies?
- How can we tell if we are influenced by the devil?
John 8: 42 Jesus told them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.43 Why can't you understand what I am saying? It's because you can't even hear me!44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
The first sin of the early Church was a lie. It was a tragic event that introduced distrust and the Church was never the same again. Acts 5:1-6
- What sin did Peter accuse Ananias of?
- What did God do about it?
Acts 5: 1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife's consent, he kept the rest.
3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren't lying to us but to God!"
5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified.6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
Personal example: Telling the truth at a cost, then seeing God bring through good.
TRUTH NOT LIES
