Once an Indian politician said, ‘not to believe everything that the media says.’ To prove her point, she referred to her own practice as a journalist!
       It is not just about media; even a casual look around us reveals that there is so much falsehood and half-truths making rounds, and we are slowly getting accustomed to such a lifestyle. From the common man to the rich and powerful, everyone tries a lie here and there to achieve their agenda.
       Many tend to think that tricks and tactics are more valuable than honesty and openness. For them, truthfulness and sincerity are old-fashioned, not respected virtues!
       What should a believer’s attitude be to such a mindset of the modern man? If we are not clear about it, chances are that we too may be influenced by this worldly attitude and begin to simply follow the crowd. Let us consider six things about falsehood.

1. Falsehood and deception are marks of Satan. (John 8:44)

“He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
       We can notice the deceptive work of the devil from the Garden of Eden. Satan lied to Eve about God’s truthfulness, righteousness, and goodness. In Job 1:10, 11, we see him lying to God about the man.
       Thus, throughout history, we can notice the way Satan used falsehood to accomplish his evil schemes. The word of God also tells us that in the future, the devil will energize the antichrist to speak lies. 1Jn 2:22.

2. Deception is one of the features of a sinful life. (Romans 3:13)

"Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." As man became a slave to Satan, it is no wonder that he is just imitating the devil, ‘the father of lies.’ As referred to earlier, today man has found many excuses to whitewash his lies. Many people think there are even white lies!
       We should not forget that exaggeration, flattery, half-truth, hiding a fact, slander, tale-bearing, fabricated stories to tarnish the reputation of another, etc., are all different aspects of a lie and they come from Satan...... >>>More

NTK

Knowledge of Truth – 1 Timothy 2:3,4

This is good and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. God’s plan is that every believer should know the Foreknowledge of God; so, let us look at the Seven Truths that every Christian should know:

1.           Truth about God the Father – Romans 1:25

• Attributes and Characteristics of God

2.           Truth about Christ, God the Son – John 14:6; 2 Corinthians 2:11

•            Virgin Birth, Virtuous Life, Voluntary Baptism, Vicious Temptation, Vital Transfiguration, Vicarious Death, Victorious Resurrection, Valedictory Ascension, Valuable Presence, Valid Advocacy, Visible Return, Vigorous Reign

3.           Truth about Holy Spirit – John 16:13

•            Personality, Ministries, Types, and Names of the Holy Spirit

4.           Truth about Gospel – Gal. 2:14; Col. 1:5

•            Gospel of the Kingdom, Gospel of Grace, Gospel of Peace, Gospel of Christ, etc.

5.           Truth about Church – 1 Timothy 3:15

•            Foundation, Formation, Functions of the Church, etc.

6.           Truth about Judgement of God – Romans 2:3

7.           Truth about the Word of God – John 17:17; Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 2:15

By Bro. David Manchala, Hyderabad

The Lie that Held Him Captive

When legendary magician Harry Houdini came into a town to do his show, he often went to the local jail, gathering a crowd of people along the way. To get buzz going about his upcoming performance, he asked the jailer to lock him in a cell. Time after time, jail after jail, town after town, Houdini escaped within minutes. But one jailer had heard that Houdini was coming, and the jailer was ready.
    When Houdini closed the cell door, the jailer put the key in the lock and secretly turned it in the wrong direction. He then removed the key, and everyone watched as Houdini struggled to escape—by unknowingly locking himself in repeatedly. Finally, in frustration, Houdini admitted he could not escape. The jailer then revealed his deception. Houdini had believed a lie, and the lie had held him captive.

— Source: Craig Groeschel