Gospel gems – Lying to achieve a goal

And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. Luke 23:2

The people had nothing to “get” Jesus on so they resorted to lying. Exodus 20:16 tells us, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”

There is never a time to lie! Let’s look at some of the key points in the verse:

·        “Perverting” (Greek 1294) to distort i.e. misinterpret or corrupt

Was Jesus distorting or corrupting the nation? Absolutely not

·        “Forbidding to give tribute”

Matthew 17:27 tells of a time when Jesus paid the tribute (tax)

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Not only did Jesus pay the tax but he did it to not offend anyone.

·        “saying he himself is a king”

There are 17 verses in the King James Version with the words, “King of the Jews”, not one of them is Jesus talking. Each time the phrase was used it was used by others.

False accusations are the way of the world. The next time you want to tell “a little white lie” remember the following verses:

A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. Proverbs 14:5

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; Colossians 3:9

Have a blessed day,
Donna