The Liar: Exposing the Deception of False Faith
Introduction:
The Word of God is a mirror, reflecting our true selves. It is a sharp sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit. Today, we will examine a sobering truth: the Bible identifies certain individuals as liars. This is not a harsh judgment, but a loving warning, a call to examine our hearts and ensure our faith is genuine.
I. The Foundation of Truth: God's Word (Proverbs 30:5, 6):
A. Pure and Trustworthy:
• "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him."
• God's Word is the foundation of truth, a refuge for those who believe.
B. The Danger of Adding to or Subtracting From:
• "Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar."
• Tampering with God's Word is a grave offense, a form of lying against God Himself.
• Proverbs 30:8, "Remove falsehood and lies far from me..."
II. The Liar: One Who Claims to Know God and Does Not Keep His Commandments (1 John 2:3, 4):
A. The Test of True Knowledge:
• "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
• True knowledge of God is demonstrated by obedience to His commands.
B. Specific Examples of Disobedience:
• What is the person who says, "I know Him," but…
◦ Has not repented (Acts 2:38)?
◦ Has not been immersed in water (Acts 8:38, 39)?
◦ Does not partake of the Lord’s Supper weekly (Acts 2:42; 20:7)?
◦ Does not give as he prospered with a joyful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7)?
◦ Does not sing (Hebrews 2:12)?
◦ Does not pray (Luke 21:36; Acts 2:42)?
◦ Does not attend faithfully (Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 11:18)?
• These are examples of those who claim to know God, but their actions betray their words.
III. The Liar: One Who Claims to Have Fellowship with God and Walks in Darkness (1 John 1:5-7):
A. God Is Light, and Darkness Has No Place in Him:
• "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all."
B. The Incompatibility of Fellowship and Darkness:
• "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth."
• Fellowship with God requires walking in the light, living a life that reflects His holiness.
C. Examples of Walking in Darkness:
• Envy, lying, divorce, adultery, fornication, stealing, drug/alcohol use, cheating, evil speaking, laziness, pride.
• These are the marks of a life that is not in fellowship with God.
• "I am a Christian...I know God...I have fellowship with Jesus Christ." These words are empty if the actions don't match.
D. Walking in the Light:
• Love, illuminated godliness, holiness, truth, fellowship.
• These are the marks of a life that is in fellowship with God.
IV. The Liar: One Who Claims to Love God and Hates His Brother (1 John 4:20, 21):
A. The Inconsistency of Loving God and Hating Others:
• "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"
B. Examples of Hatred:
• Gossiping about a brother, refusing to talk to a brother, refusing to forgive a brother, slandering a brother.
• These are acts of hatred, which contradict the claim of loving God.
• James 5:9, "Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!"
V. The Liar: One Who Does Not Believe (1 John 2:22, 23; 1 John 5:10; Romans 3:4):
A. Denying Jesus as the Christ:
• "Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son."
B. Rejecting God's Testimony:
• "He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son."
C. God's Truth vs. Man's Lies:
• "Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. ..."
• Unbelief makes God a liar.
- Preaching on Scoffers and Mockers: The Peril of Rejecting Truth
- Preaching on Indifference: A mistaken stance
- Preaching on Pilate: Don't Wash Your Hands
Conclusion:
The truth is clear: God's Word exposes the deception of false faith. Let us not be among those who claim to know God, yet live in disobedience and darkness. Let us not be among those who claim to love God, yet hate their brothers. Let us not be among those who reject the truth of Jesus Christ. Instead, let us embrace the truth, walk in the light, love one another, and believe in the Son of God. Let us be people of integrity, whose lives reflect the truth we profess. Amen.
