p. 291 | Untitled article by H. F. Phelps

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 20, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 19.

GOD'S OBJECT LESSONS. NO. 5.

By H. F. Phelps

Our God is a God of truth. He hates the sin of lying. He tells us that the devil "is a liar, and the father of it." And those who lie are of the devil. Said the Saviour to those Jews who were maligning and misrepresenting him: "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do." John 8:44. God says: "Thou shalt not bear false witness." "Thou shalt not raise up an evil report." "Keep thee far from an evil matter." God hates a false oath, the false report, a false tongue, false lips, false teachers, false prophets, false balances, false gifts, false visions, false dreams, and every false way.

False shepherds have always led the flock away from the true, away from the green and fresh pastures. False brethren were once a great hindrance to the work of the apostle Paul; and in all ages of the world they have been but hangers-on, and a positive drawback to the work of God. We read, "He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight." And "he that speaketh lies shall perish." Paul exhorts, "Lie not one to another," and James, "Lie not against the truth." And the beloved apostle says, "He that believeth not God hath made him a liar." That is, when we do not believe God's word, we virtually say that he is a liar.

Some would not lie by word of mouth, but do not hesitate to act a lie. Some tell what they call "white lies." There is no such thing. Every lie, whether in word or by act, is from beneath, and is of the evil one. No wonder the wise man says, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver;" and again, "Let not truth forsake thee;" and, "My mouth shall speak the truth;" and again, "The lip of truth shall be established;" yet again, "Buy the truth and sell it not." The prophet Isaiah very pathetically exclaims, "Truth is fallen in the streets!" "yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey." And Hosea very discouragingly exclaims, "There is no truth or mercy in the land!"

God loves truth, and those who keep it. The gates of the city of God will open by and by "to the nation that keepeth the truth," while outside will be found "whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." "And all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." God once set before us an example, an object lesson, if you please, to show his abhorrence of a lie. In Acts 5 is found the history of the case of Ananias and his wife, who acted and told a lie. Before they sold the land it was theirs. After the sale the money was theirs. It was customary at that day to sell and lay at the apostles' feet the proceeds of the sale for the furtherance of the gospel. In action they said that they also did this, and when asked a question, they spoke a lie, and quick justice was meted out to them. And it was written for our admonition. Oh, that all would heed it! H. F. PHELPS.