Apply the Ninth Commandment in Your Life The very root principle of all sin is vanity. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity (Eccl. 1:2). The real reason most men reject the true God is that they want to be gods in their own eyes and the eyes of their fellow men. It is vanity. Every sin that is committed by man has its ultimate roots in this one principle. And so it is with every form of lying. Men lie because they are more concerned with their own self-esteem and sense of importance than they are with the ultimate good of their fellow man. They speak and act falsely because they fear the opinions of men much more than that of Almighty God Himself! The daily actions and words of nearly all men bear eloquent testimony to the literal truth of this statement. As John said even of the religious leaders of his day: For 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. They 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. For, as the apostle Paul said, If God be for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31.) Jesus said: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall speak all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake (Matt. 5:11). We had all better quit worrying so much about what puny, mortal men think -- and become far more concerned about what Almighty God thinks! Then we will learn to cease from all hypocrisy in business, in social life, in politics -- yes, in our religious and scientific endeavors. Remember that many whom this deceitful world condemned have received Gods blessing and are heirs of eternal life. Never forget that it was through the sin of false testimony and lying that Jesus Christ was murdered! For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together (Mark 14:56). Since, through vanity, men want to believe what is popular at the moment, they will kid themselves and their associates into believing even religious and scientific theories that have no basis whatsoever in actual fact! God warns against all such hypocrites: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). Most Bible commentaries or lexicons show that the expression hold should have been translated hold down or suppress. Men SUPPRESS the truth. God is condemning those who knowingly hold down or suppress the truth of His existence and His purpose on this earth! God says the vain philosophers and scientists of this world are without excuse for denying that He literally created this universe and is now ruling it through His power (verse 20). Most scientists and theologians who believe in the Satan-inspired theory of evolution ought to know better. Some of them do know better! But they are going along with what pleases men, and they are living a lie! God says they are without excuse! And in the same category are those ministers and Bible students who continue to teach and practice what they know are ancient heathen and pagan beliefs and customs condemned in the Word of God. In all too many cases, they know better! They are without excuse. The continued teaching of these basic scientific and spiritual lies is the very thing that is blinding most of this world from the real nature of God and of His true plan and purpose here below. This is the truly terrible result of bearing false witness, self-deception and lying. For as long as supposedly educated leaders keep deceiving themselves and others about the very existence and power and plan of God, our civilization is doomed!
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 22:27:24 +0000