This Sunday we will be studying in-depth the ninth commandment which states, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”. During the time of Moses, the power of two or three false witnesses could sentence an innocent person to death. We all are aware of how hurtful it can be when others lie about us or to us. However, there is another form of lying that is extremely hurtful that often goes unnoticed: lying to ourselves.
James, the half brother of Jesus, says in his letter to his Christian brothers and sisters, “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). What is the deception that James is referring to? It is the deception that people will often think of themselves to be Christian, even though there is no evidence of obedience to God or desire for holiness as God defines it.
The most hurtful lie in the world is when people think that they are morally “good” apart from the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins so that we can be forgiven of all our moral failures before God.
Jesus gives us reassurance that the best comfort any person can ever receive is when their evil deeds are brought to light so that they can experience the forgiveness of God through their repentance. This Sunday will be a great reminder to everyone that we need to resist the temptation of living in darkness where our evil deeds can hide, and to trust God’s healing Light that sets us free from condemnation and guilt!
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” -John 8:31-32
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” – John 3:19-21