Why do we lie? It appears that Adam and Eve lied to protect their self esteem. When you ask a child if they have had a piece of candy and they lie to get another, why did they lie? Yes, to get another piece. But wasn't it really because they knew, or thought, that they wouldn't get their way if they told the truth? Here we could say, they lie for self fulfillment. I challenge you to find one lie that isn't self motivated. We see in Joshua 2:1-13 that Rahab though apparently lying for two of Joshua's spies, was in truth lying to protect herself and her family. "And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into a harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. And it was told to the king of Jericho , saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof. And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate. And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when you came out of Egypt; and what you did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven 131 ________________________________________________________________________________ above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.". A lie for self interest that God used to his glory, but still a lie. A lie, therefore, can be called a selfish tool. Let's look at another on the list. In Genesis 4:3-7 we read: "And in the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.". In our action list jealousy wasn't included, though it is demonstrated here. There is also an indication of scheming. He certainly was uncaring about his brother's welfare, as indicated in verse 9. He committed murder, and then lied about it, also in verse 9. The investigation here is not directed towards why Cain's offering wasn't acceptable, but rather his response to the rejection. Cain was furious. Why? Anger is a natural response to an ego deflating experience. Since Abel's offering was found acceptable, Cain blamed him for his `humiliation'. It is possible that he felt that with Abel out of the picture, he would gain importance in God's eyes. Again self interest appears, not just with murder, but anger, jealousy, scheming, and lack of natural affection. Judges chapter 2:19 shows unfaithfulness, and rebellion: "And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves 132 _____________________________________________________________________________ |
 |
 |