Hijacked:
What’s Holding You Captive?
When You Cretanize
Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:25 (NKJV) 25
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let
each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for
we are members of one another.
Text: Ephesians 4:17-25
INTRODUCTION: Titus 1:12–13; Luke 4:18–19
"Cretans are always liars."
“To
Cretanize" was proverbial for to lie: as "to Corinthianize" was for to be dissolute. Always
liars -- not merely at times, as every natural man is.”—Robert
Jamieson
“Behaviour,
in words or actions, which is deliberately intended to make people believe things
that are not true.” -- Martin H. Manser
1.
The Causes of Deception. John 8:44
A.
FEAR: Genesis 18:13, 15
B. SURVIVAL:
Genesis 12:11-13
C. MALICIOUSNESS: Genesis 39:14-18
D. MATERIALISM: 1 Samuel 15:1-25; 2 Ki
5:22-27
E. SHOW OFF:
F. PROTECTION
FROM EXPOSURE: Matthew 26:59ff.; Acts 6:13
G. To cover up a fault. Genesis 4:9
“Truth exists; only falsehood has to be
invented.”--George Braque
“Truth will rise above falsehood as oil
above water.”--Miguel de Cervantes
H. FRAUD: Genesis 3:4-5
I:
COMPETITION: Acts 4:36–5:10
J. Propaganda
tactic.
“a deliberate gross distortion of the
truth used especially as a propaganda tactic”—Merriam Webster Dictionary
2. The Costs of Deception.
A. DIVINE DISPLEASURE: Prov.
12:22; Prov. 6:17; Ps. 5:6
“He who lies will steal.”—My mother
B. IT IS DESTRUCTIVE: Lie destroys
relationships. Proverbs 19:9
C. MISLEADS:. Gen. 12:13-20
D. LOSS OF CREDIBILITY:
Illustration:
Truth makes
deposits to your Credibility Bank.
Deception
depletes your Credibility bank.
“Show me a liar, and I will show you a
thief.”-- Herbert Casson
If you lie and then tell
the truth, the truth will be considered a lie.
SUMERIAN PROVERB
E. YOU will be exposed: Proverbs 12:19; Proverbs 19:5; Proverbs 19:9; Psalm 5:6; Psalm 101:7; Jeremiah
23:32; Deuteronomy 18:22; Cf. Pr 19:9 See also Ps 5:6; 52:2-5; 55:23; 101:7; Jer 6:13-15; 23:32; Na 3:1;
1Ti 1:9-10; Rev 21:8,27; 22:15
F. LYING BREEDS WICKEDNESS: Proverbs 29:12
G. LYING
PRODUCES EVIL ASSOCIATION AND IDENTIFICATION:
John
8:44 See also 1Jn 2:22; Rev 13:14;
20:7-10
H. LYING
RESULTS IN UNGODLINESS: Proverbs 13:5
I.
LYING CAN LEAD YOU TO A DEAD CONSCIENCE: 1Ti 4:1-2
J. IT
IS A PROJECTION OF HATERED TO THE VICTIM OF THE DECEPTION: Proverbs 26:28; Proverbs 6:19; Proverbs 26:26
“Liars selfishly manipulate words to help
themselves and harm others. They lie because they want to avoid the
consequences of their sinful acts or because they want to deceitfully get
something from others.”-- Jim Newheiser
K. LYING
UNDERMINES JUSTICE:
Proverbs 19:28; Proverbs 19:28
L. DECEPTION MAKES SOMEONE TO HAVE A BAD
REPUTATION: Prov. 17:7
3. The Cure of Deception. Ephesians 4:25
A. Guard against deception.
B. Remember your sins will find you
out.
C. Live a life that is conscious of
the power and presence of the holy spirit of God. Hebrews 4:13; Proverbs 5:21; Acts 5:4
D. Resist
the temptation to lie. Job 27:2-5; Rev 2:2;
Job 27:2–5; Revelation 2:2
E. Be in tune with the Holy Spirit. John 16:8–9
F. Remember that you are accountable
to God for every one of your activities here on earth. Romans 14:12
G. Obey God’s law. Leviticus 19:11; Colossians 3:9; Exodus
20:16; Deuteronomy 5:20
H. If you want to be prosperous, you
must be truthful.
Psalm 34:12–13
I. Remember that your word is your
bond.
J. Know Jesus and you will know the
truth and Freedom. John 14:6; John 8:32 ;
John 8:36
“I will not lie, cheat, or steal,
nor will I tolerate anyone who does.”-- The Air Force cadets’ Honor Code
Conclusion: Psalm 119:29; 1 John 1:9; John
3:16
