Revelation 21:8 — But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

It’s hard to believe that it’s nearly twenty years since Jim Carrey starred in “Liar, Liar!” the movie. He played a star lawyer who couldn’t lie for 24 hours due to his son’s birthday wish after he had let him down for the last time.

Like most of Mr. Carrey’s films, ” Liar, Liar” is hilarious. Sadly, in real life the topic is not.

Lying appears to be regarded, by many people, as a normal part of life. It reaches into the very highest walks of life. That’s nothing new. In 1975 there was an attempt to pass a “Truth In Government Act” — actually there were several attempts. They all failed. Perhaps you’re not surprised.

It seems we think it’s not just politicians who can’t be trusted. In a December 2014 Gallup poll people were asked whether they felt certain professions had honesty and ethical standards that were “high or very high”. Nurses did really well at 80%. Sadly congressmen scored only 7% and even clergymen scored only 46%!

So how does God feel about all this? You know the answer to that one. God hates liars. You can see the evidence in (at least) Exodus 20:16, Proverbs 6:16-19, Proverbs 12:22, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Revelation 21:8 and Revelation 21:27. 

God doesn’t just dislike lies. He hates them. But why? It’s very basic. Truth is part of who God is. It’s part of His character. Jesus said it — “I am the truth”. What’s more the great enemy — the devil — is the source of all untruth: 

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

I suppose some of the events in today’s news put these thoughts into my mind. But it’s nothing new. What really bothers me is that there may be something worse going on. What happens if we no longer know what truth is? In 2001 in two Barna Research surveys — one among adults and one among teenagers — people were asked if they believe that there are moral absolutes that are unchanging or that moral truth is relative to the circumstances. By a 3-to-1 margin (64% vs. 22%) adults said truth is always relative to the person and their situation. The perspective was even more lopsided among teenagers, 83% of whom said moral truth depends on the circumstances, and only 6% of whom said moral truth is absolute.

Truth is holy! We need to fight for it, defend it, and proclaim it …or the Father of lies wins.