Echoes From the Campfire

They taught them that their word was their bond; never lie. Wasn’t anything much worse than a liar. They taught them to stand up for themselves and for those who were weaker. When you’re in the right, never back down.”
                    –Donald L. Robertson  (Logan’s Word)
 
       “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
                    –John 8:32 (NKJV)
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I remember a story from many years ago.  I worked with a boys’ group at my church, Royal Rangers.  Every year we had a large banquet with several hundred coming.  About two weeks before the banquet I ran an “alert” in the church bulletin.  “Hunters needed–we are in need of more ground hog for the banquet.”  I told them to see me after service.  Several caught my eye as they were reading the bulletin during the preaching–shame on them.  After the service I was walking out and I heard two older ladies talking, “Ground hog!” one exclaimed.  “Why do people come to eat that stuff?” replied the other.  Well, I couldn’t have them thinking wrong of the Ranger program at the church so I, not so subtly interrupted.  I smiled, “Ground hog, ladies–sausage.”  They were slightly embarrassed, but they nodded and smiled.
       So today is the celebration of the advent of the first group given professional liars privilege–the weatherman.  They used to be the only profession that was paid to lie.  Ol’ Phil will give his predictions, probably depending on how his belly growls, people will make an uproar no matter what he decides, then facebook will have a ballyhoo over it for a week.  At least Punxsutawney Phil is all in fun.  Well, I guess there are PETA folk, and the like, against it.
       Given the times we are living in, we know that it is not only the weathermen who now lie.  This is 2022, beware of the lying politician.  Now, for sure, there are honest ones out there.  They may be hard to spot because of the racket given out by the braggarts and snarly folk around.  Listen to a politician answer a question.  If he gives a half-truth–he’s a liar for there isn’t such a thing.  If he doesn’t answer–he’s acting out a lie.  If he talks around the subject–he’s not only a liar, but he is a coward, and has no honor.
       Look at some Scriptures regarding liars.

               “For fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,”  –1 Timothy 1:10

               “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” –Revelation 21:8

               “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”  –John 8:44

People, as far back as Eve for she was deceived by a lie by the “Father of Lies” — the devil, have preferred to believe a lie.  That’s why perjury is such a dangerous crime.  To lie in the face of the truth shows who that person’s “father” is.  When people are shown the truth, often many of them shun it.  
       When Christians begin to compromise with the truth they are dealing with lying.  They are ignoring the truth, walking around it, or speaking half-truths.  There is only one way to God, through Jesus Christ His Son who died on the cross for our sins and rose the third day.  Truth that is not to be compromised in any way, shape, or form.  To get to the Father one must go through Christ.
       Do not get tripped up by a lie.  Stand for the truth, guard the truth for your eternal soul depends on it.  Remember the words of John, “He who says, ‘I know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:4, NKJV)