RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL FOR 24TH OF DECEMBER, 2023: A LYING TONGUE

[1]But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

[2]And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

[3]But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

[4]Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

[5]And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

[6]And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

[7]And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

[8]And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

[9]Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

[10]Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

INTRODUCTION: A lie is a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive or convey a false impression. Lying is the premeditated act of deviating from the truth. It brings about difficulties and it can be mentally tiring. A lying tongue is a tongue given to telling lies. Some people have branded lies and given them different colourations like; white lies, grey lies, black lies, and red lies. Also, some justify the reasons for lying in the course of their businesses or to save their faces but all unrighteousness is sin.

According to 1 John 2:22, a liar is a person who denies that Jesus Christ is Lord. The devil is a liar and the father of all liars (John 8:44). A liar claims to know God but does not obey His commandments (1 John 2:4). The Scripture so relegated a liar so much that it says a poor man is better than a liar irrespective of the liar’s achievements in life (Proverbs 19:22b). Anyone given to lies is an individual with the old man fully at work in him/her (Colossians 3:9). No matter how smart a liar may be, the lie or falsehood will only be for a limited time before the truth is established (Proverbs 12:19).

A liar is a proud person who must lie to sustain the fake lofty height and the wrong impression created (Psalms 119:69; 59:12; 12:3). A liar is disloyal, unfaithful, and a betrayer who deceives at will (Proverbs 14:5, 25), and destroys byexecuting a well-planned misrepresentation that may endanger lives (Psalms 109:2; Jeremiah 14:14). Anyone who lies or is always given to falsehood is regarded as a wicked person (Proverbs 17:4; Psalms 58:3).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Have you ever told a lie, what prompted it?

2. ANTIDOTES TO LIE

Believers must be conscious of their new status in Christ and be watchful (2Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, it is expedient to be intentional about telling the truth all the time (Romans 9:1). As believers we must learn to bridle our tongues (Psalms 39:1), ensure our words are few and devoid of exaggerations (Ecclesiastes 5:2; Proverbs 10:19). We must learn to be slow to speak (James 1:19). Let our Yes be Yes and No be No (James 5:12).

Speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) takes a lot of discipline but it brings peace and honour to God – who cannot tolerate liars (Psalms 15:1-2; 24:3-5). Above all, we must remember eternity! No liar will get to heaven (Revelation 22:14-15).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What other things can be done to stop telling lies?

CONCLUSION: A liar has no worth on earth and no place in heaven.

QUESTIONS

* Mention three traits of a liar.

* Mention two things believers can do to avoid lying.

ASSIGNMENT: Why do you think people tell lies? Give five (5) reasons. (2×5=10 marks).