Synonyms for “lying” include “deceitful,” “dishonest,” “two-faced,” “insincere,” “untruthful” and “double-dealing.” The Greek word “pseudes” means “lying” or “false.” It is the basis of the English word “pseudo,” which means “being apparently rather than actually as stated: sham, spurious.” Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary says of the word “lie”: “Any statement or act designed to deceive another person.”
The seriousness of lying becomes apparent in Revelation 21:8 when one realizes that it is paired with other sins, anyone of which will cause the impenitent sinner to be eternally lost. “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 NKJV).
A question comes from a reader of Gospel Gazette Online in Saudi Arabia, pertaining to a Pilipino brother in Christ working in Qatar. Apparently, the brother in Qatar lied to his employer, saying his wife had a medical emergency in the Philippines. Using this scheme, he absented himself from his employer, to whom he is under contract. Upon returning home, he resigned from his employer so that he could follow up on a better job offer in Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, this brother requested benevolent funds from congregations of the Lord’s church and fellow Christians to make the transition to Saudi Arabia. Approached with the sinfulness of his actions, the brother remains impenitent. Howbeit, Christians within one or more churches of Christ are divided whether to provide congregation and personal funds to the brother, and this episode may split the church.
In what way independent congregations of the Lord’s church disperse benevolent funds is a matter of human judgment and an internal matter. Likewise, how one spends his money is a personal decision. However, congregations and Christians ought to be careful not to become accomplices with sinners. “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11).
Works Cited
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.Springfield: Merriam-Webster, 1993. CD-ROM. Bellingham: Logos Research Systems, 1996.
Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary. CD-ROM. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986.
