There are two opposites in this creation. They are not equal and opposite; they are just opposite.
They are God and Satan.
God is the ultimate in truth.
Satan is the ultimate liar.
Jesus said of Satan, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44
There is something wonderful about truth besides its truthfulness. It has a good reputation. Every one wants to be identified with it. How do I know? All liars say “I am telling the truth.” No one wants to be called a liar. We have a difficulty here.
Truth tellers say, “I am telling the truth.” Liars say the same thing. The listener has to be able to tell the difference. Most listeners cannot tell the difference. Why?
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14
The wolf in sheep’s clothing does not say, “I am really a wolf. I am here to eat sheep.” The false prophet does not say, “I am a false prophet, do not listen to me.”
We need to be able to recognize truth and to recognize falsehood. The solution to this difficulty is four-fold, the Holy Spirit.
1. The Holy Spirit
2. Know the truth so well that you can tell that the lie does not look like the
truth.
3. By their fruit you will know them. Liars have an easier time talking the lie
than living the lie.
4. The gift of discernment
They are God and Satan.
God is the ultimate in truth.
Satan is the ultimate liar.
Jesus said of Satan, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44
There is something wonderful about truth besides its truthfulness. It has a good reputation. Every one wants to be identified with it. How do I know? All liars say “I am telling the truth.” No one wants to be called a liar. We have a difficulty here.
Truth tellers say, “I am telling the truth.” Liars say the same thing. The listener has to be able to tell the difference. Most listeners cannot tell the difference. Why?
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14
The wolf in sheep’s clothing does not say, “I am really a wolf. I am here to eat sheep.” The false prophet does not say, “I am a false prophet, do not listen to me.”
We need to be able to recognize truth and to recognize falsehood. The solution to this difficulty is four-fold, the Holy Spirit.
1. The Holy Spirit
2. Know the truth so well that you can tell that the lie does not look like the
truth.
3. By their fruit you will know them. Liars have an easier time talking the lie
than living the lie.
4. The gift of discernment
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