除去謊言Eliminating Lying
[每日靈修] 3/5/2019, 駱鴻銘編譯
聖經對墮落人性之非比尋常的控訴，可以在「人都是說謊的」（詩篇一一六11）這個悲慘結論中見到。撒謊是墮落人性的一種罪孽，也是無法通過重生立即治癒的罪孽。正是這種性格特徵，使我們與上帝有明顯區分。上帝是守約者；祂不會說謊。我們是背約者，即使在我們的承諾中也會散佈謊言。
撒但被稱為「說謊之人的父」（約八44）。可悲的是，他的子孫滿堂。在這方面，我們天生就是他的後代。伊甸園裏的蛇說出了第一個謊言：「你們不一定死......你們便如神……」（創三4～5）。由於這個謊言，人類受到誘惑並墮入敗壞。
上帝宣告對說謊者的審判。啟示錄廿一8宣告一切說謊話的都與火湖有分。如果這意味著每一個曾經說過謊話的人都會下地獄，那麼我們所有人都註定會滅亡。
即使只說過一次謊，也會使一個人成為騙子。既然聖經肯定眾人都是說謊的，似乎眾人都會滅亡。但這不是聖經所作的結論。我們的謊言被贖罪所遮蓋。但這種恩典並不是說謊可以不受懲罰的許可證。謊言是對上帝、對我們鄰舍的嚴重冒犯。堅持撒謊與成聖是格格不入的，撒謊成性的人不是基督徒。
活在神的面光中（在神面前禱告）：
你是一個信守承諾的人嗎？
進一步研讀：
詩一一六11 我曾急促地說：人都是說謊的！
啟廿一8 惟有膽怯的、不信的、可憎的、殺人的、淫亂的、行邪術的、拜偶像的，和一切說謊話的，他們的分就在燒著硫磺的火湖裏；這是第二次的死。
西三9 不要彼此說謊；因你們已經脫去舊人和舊人的行為。
Eliminating
Lying
The
unusual indictment of Scripture against fallen humanity may be seen in the sad
conclusion that “All men are liars” (Ps. 116:11). Lying is a sin endemic to
fallen human nature, and one that is not instantly cured by regeneration. It is
the character trait that clearly distinguishes us from God. God is a covenant
keeper; He speaks no falsehood. We are covenant breakers, spreading lies even
in our promises.
It is
Satan who is called the “father of lies.” Sadly, he has sired many children. We
are all by nature his offspring in this regard. It was the serpent in Eden who
uttered the first lie: “You will not surely die … you will be like God” (Gen.
3:4–5). By this lie the human race was seduced and plunged into corruption.
The
judgment of God on the liar is given. Revelation 21:8 declares that all liars
shall have their part in the lake of fire. If this means that every one who has
ever told a lie will end up in hell, then all of us are bound for perdition.
To
tell a lie even once makes a person a liar. Since Scripture affirms that all
men are liars, it would seem to suggest that all will perish. But this is not
the conclusion Scripture reaches. Our lies are covered by the atonement. But
this grace is not a license to lie with impunity. The lie means a serious
offense against God and our neighbor. To persist in lying is inconsistent with
sanctification, and the person who is characterized by the habit of lying is
not Christian.
Coram
Deo
Are
you a person who is true to his word?
Passages
for Further Study
Psalm
116:11
Revelation
21:8
Colossians
3:9