Introduction: You may have heard the phrase, “Liar! Liar! Pants on fire!” This popular children’s phrase is chanted on many playgrounds, and was even turned into a movie in 1997. The truth is that lies are very common.
Question: What are some things that people commonly lie about? (Age, weight, height, accomplishments, IQ, etc…)
Question: What makes people want to lie?
We are going to look at three different types of liars.
I John 1:5-10
– John taught about people who deceives themselves.
– He says that these liars “claim to be without sin.”
Question: Why would someone believe that they are without sin? (Someone told them so, don’t have the right standards, etc…)
Question: How would believing that we are perfect effect our lives?
Question: Why is it hard to recognize fault or sin in ourselves?
No one is perfect. But sometimes we can believe that, and still deceive ourselves into thinking that we are. This type of thinking makes God out to be a liar, since He says that “all have sinned and fallen short.” (Romans 3:23)
I John 2:3-6
– John taught about people who say they know God, but they don’t do what He commands.
– He says, “Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.”
Question: Why would someone claim to follow God if they didn’t want to actually do it?
Question: Who is someone that you know a lot about?
Question: Is there a difference between knowing a lot about someone and truly knowing someone?
We can know a lot about God, and still not know God. To know God is to obey God, and His Word. If we don’t know His Word, we can’t possibly know Him.
I John 2:22-23
– John taught that anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) is a liar.
– He even says it twice.
Question: Why would John call people who struggle with their faith “liars”? (It’s an excuse not to follow Him, the divinity of Jesus is so obvious, etc…)
Question: What are some things you wish didn’t exist or weren’t true? (Centipedes, eggplant, cancer, etc…)
Question: Does choosing not to believe in those things make them untrue/unreal?
We can’t be saved simply by believing, and we can’t be saved simply by not believing. We must believe and follow Jesus.
Challenge: Let’s make sure not to kid ourselves; we are all sinners, we all need salvation through Jesus, and the only way to receive that salvation is by doing what God commands! To believe anything else is to be a perpetual liar.
