All sin begins with a lie.
This is a bold statement. Is it really true?
Can you think of any example of sin that did not begin with a lie?
A lie brought sin to Adam and Eve.
Why a lie? Why is a lie attached to every sin?
What’s the effect of a lie? What is the purpose of a lie?
Lying may initially seem like a small thing, but it is a lie that opens the door to sin.
It is with the lie that sin becomes palatable.
If someone said, “Sin will give you fleeting pleasure, and then you will become inundated by an empty loss that is accompanied with shame, accusation, insecurity, depression, and broken relationships—that will become a part of your life,” would you pay that price?
Hopefully not.
Sin, on it’s own, reeks of squalor and leads to death. No one overtly wants that. This is why sin needs a lie to lure people in.
This is how is works:
The enemy knocks upon the door of our heart and offers us something sweet, something that promises to satisfy a desire we have.
He whispers about the fulfillment we will have if we do this “thing” he offers.
This is the lie.
No thing that he offers will ever satisfy. It might give you temporary pleasure, but the result of sin is like eating food with parasites in it. In the moment, you enjoy the food you’re eating, unaware of the reality that you are taking something completely harmful to your body… until the bug begins wrecking havoc within you.
And the lie brings a double-edged sword with it.
First, when a person falls for a lie, there is the damaging effect of the sin itself. Then, while dealing with these consequences, one may be dismayed to find that the sin also carries an unwelcome attachment. This attachment is a lying spirit. Because lies are always attached to sin, when a person sins they give a lying spirit legal access into their life.
Do we realize the weight of this when we choose worldly pleasure over obeying God? Do we understand that sin links us to a lying spirit whose purpose is to destroy our life? Do we understand how this will affect us?
A lying spirit lies. Always. It can never be trusted. It will justify and defend sinful behavior as it tries to mask the truth. It sullies and divides. The assignment of a lying spirit is to destroy people and relationships. It does this through pride, fear, and through eroding one’s identity. A lying spirit deteriorates a person’s strength, weakens one’s resolve, and taunts what is good. It brings deception and confusion into a person’s life.
May we understand that all this comes part and parcel with sin.
So, what’s the answer? How do we become free from sin, and the lying spirit that is attached to it, once we realize we’re entangled?
Practically, how do we come to know the truth?
· Repent from our sin
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person accomplishes much.” James 5:16
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
· Receive Jesus and His Deliverance
In John 14:6 Jesus tells us that He is “the way, the truth, and the life.”
We have a High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses, who was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distresses… He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:6, 9
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. The pangs of death surrounded me, and the floods of ungodliness made me afraid …but the LORD was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.” Psalm 18:2-4,18b-19
· Spend time being filled up with His Word
In John 17:17, Jesus is praying to the Father for His disciples and says, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
“If you abide in My Word you are My disciples indeed. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
· Resist the Enemy!
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded… Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD and He will lift you up.” James 4:7-8, 10