Lying Is What They Do

Acts of the Apostles (51)

Introduction

Lying is not just something that people do when they are little boys getting into the cookie jar. We sometimes naively assume that greater responsibility means that there must be greater levels of integrity. But it is often the case that the higher up you go—whether in civil or ecclesiastical government—the greater the incentives and pressures to give way to deceit. The cookie jar is much bigger, and deception often rises to an art form.

The Text

“And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes . . .” (Acts 24:1–27).

Summary of the Text

Five days later, Ananias the high priest came down with the elders along with a spokesman named Tertullus (v. 1). Called upon, Tertullus began to attack Paul, beginning with flattering words for Felix (vv. 2-3). “Not to be tedious, please bear with me” (v. 4). They had found Paul a perfect pest, a seditious fellow among Jews worldwide, and a ringleader of the Nazarenes (v. 5). He had even profaned the Temple, and the Jews had been dealing with it according to Jewish law (v. 6), but were rudely interrupted by that violent soldier Claudius Lysias. (v. 7). Lysias commanded them to come before Felix, which is why they were bothering him now (v. 8). Check it out, it is all documented. The Jews with him then agreed with all of this (v. 9). Paul was given permission for him to speak and he began graciously but not with unctuous flattery (v. 10). Paul retraced his steps—twelve days before he had gone to Jerusalem to worship (p. 11). He was found in the Temple, being disruptive in no way (v. 12). Paul then adds a crucial element—he noted that they could not prove their accusations (v. 13). They could hire a talker, but talking is not the same as proving. But Paul did acknowledge part of what they said. He follows the Way, which they consider divisive and sectarian, but he worships God according to the law and prophets (v. 14). And he has the same hope that they do, which is that there will be a resurrection of the dead—of the just and unjust both (v. 15). Paul had labored to keep his conscience clear—both Godward and toward man (v. 16).  After years had gone by, he had brought alms and offerings to his nation (v. 17). Certain Jews from Asia were his initial accusers, and they had jumped him in the Temple—and by the way, why aren’t they here? (vv. 18-19). The men standing here can only testify to what they saw, and the worst they could say of Paul is that he cried out in the Sanhedrin that he believed in the resurrection (vv. 20-21). Felix knew about Christianity and put them all off until Lysias was able to come down (v. 22). A centurion was then given responsibility for Paul—he was not chained up, with his friends able to come and go (v. 23). After a while, when Felix’s wife Drusilla was there, he gave Paul an audience to present the gospel of Christ to them (v. 24). As Paul reasoned with them about righteousness, temperance and coming judgment, Felix was rattled by that kind of talk and dismissed him (v. 25). Showing his continued carnality, he was hoping for a bribe and would talk with Paul repeatedly with that hope in mind (v. 26). After two years of this, Felix was replaced by Festus (v. 27). Felix left Paul a prisoner in bonds for political reasons.

Evidence and Lies

Notice that Paul insists upon biblical standards of justice and evidence. He says that his accusers were not able to independently confirm what they were saying (v. 13). He says that certain key witnesses were missing (vv. 18-19), meaning they could not be cross-examined. He simply assumes that the accusers have the burden of proof—Paul doesn’t have to prove that he didn’t do it. “Innocent until proven guilty” is a biblical standard.

The reason liars need to “free themselves” from the biblical standards of evidence is that they always need the additional room to maneuver. Liars need to be creative, and facts tie them down. Facts are way too confining.  

Liars and the Lake of Fire  

Lying is no trifle. It is one of those things that clearly identify a misbegotten paternity. The devil is the father of lies. When the devil speaks lies, he is a native speaker. The devil has no truth in him (John 8:44). Those who speak lies are betraying their spiritual ancestry. Look, he “has his father’s lies.” “Ye are of your father the devil.”

Lying belongs to the old way of life. Put it off. “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds” (Col. 3:9). When tempted to continue to cover up those lies, remember to fear God. All liars will have their part in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8).

You here at Christ Church are members of one of the most lied-about churches in the country. Your pastor, if the Internet is to be believed, is in similar straits. But our response to this must not be bitterness or a spirit of complaining.  Servants are not greater than masters, and they lied about Jesus too. Our response must be to cultivate a spirit of hatred toward every form of ungodly deceit in our own lives. “Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:104). But it is never safe to begin by hating the false ways of others.

Deception An Act of War

Bearing false witness against your neighbor is an act of violence against the public good. Perjury is forbidden for this reason (Ex. 20:16). Depending on the stakes, such perjury could even be a capital offense (Dt. 19:16-21). Lying is a declaration of war. Remember—do not lie to one another (Col. 3:9), do not lie against your neighbor (Ex. 20:16).

This helps explain why it is not a problem to deceive the enemy in time of war. It is an act of war. Think of the Hebrew midwives (Ex. 1:19-20), or Rahab the harlot (Josh. 2:4-5), or David escaping from Achish, king of Gath (1 Sam. 21:13). It is striking that David celebrates this escape from Achish with Psalm 34, which includes a blessing for those who keep their “lips from speaking guile” (v. 13). So those of you who are fastidious in all the wrong ways and places should see yourselves clear to lying to the Gestapo about the Jews in your attic.

Lying to your boss about your expense account is a different thing altogether.

Christ Our Truth

Grace and truth come through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). We are saved through the word of the truth of the gospel (Col. 1:5). Jesus tells us plainly that He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). If He is the way, then truth and life are characteristics of that road. Are you walking on that road? We serve an honest Christ, and this can only be done faithfully by honest Christians.