Perspective

   By L. Jim Tuck

January 28, 2023

“Cretans are always liars”

Greetings from Phoenix,

            I would imagine most of us are shocked by the blatant lying which constantly pours out of the mass media of this world, the politicians, and even governments. The way of Satan, who is called the father of lies, is evident in the character of many of the leaders of this country. The Apostle Paul wrote young Titus and said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12). Lying tears down righteous character faster than anything.

            The nation as a whole must repent of their evil ways.  This includes everyone, starting with the president, the Senate, Congress, the mass media, and on down to the grassroots of the country. No true servant of Jesus Christ should want to be a part of the corruption of this world. Revelation 21:8 warns us, “…all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

            Lying is so common now you don’t know who to believe, but after all, it is the way it is, because Satan is the god of this world and he is the author of confusion.  Just about everything any leader says must be fact checked. Because most people do not have a love of the truth, prior to the end of the age, God will send such strong delusion that the world will believe the greatest lie ever told.

            Abraham Lincoln said, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”

            Events we are witnessing now give us warning that World War III is inevitable. Russia and China in desperation may make dramatic moves which will draw the west into a real war with both nations. The news this week about the war materiel going into Ukraine is evidence of how this war could easily become nuclear. What we are witnessing in Ukraine will likely be the kind of scenario which will bring out the Beast and the false prophet.

            I hope and pray we are of such a character that we won’t be fooled by the coming events when the Beast and the false prophet appear on the scene. God’s true people love truth and have it as a part of their character.

            II Thessalonians 2:11-12 says, “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

            The beautiful godly character of obeying the ninth commandment and speaking the truth and not speaking deceitful words is something we strive to instruct our children every day and model in our behavior. As the Bride of Christ, it is a must to overcome this foible of the flesh and seek to be pure of heart.

 

            As long as we always tell the truth, we don’t have to worry. Those who practice lying, even in this world, are eventually found out and history books record the resulting scandals. Abraham Lincoln wisely said, “No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.”

           One prime example, Bernard Madoff.  This American financier masterminded one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history, worth around $65 billion. On December 10, 2008, Madoff's sons Mark and Andrew told authorities that their father had confessed to them that the asset management unit of his firm was a massive Ponzi scheme, and quoted him as saying it was "one big lie."  On June 29, 2009, Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison, the maximum sentence allowed. He was sent to prison and died there in disgrace. His big lie cost him his life and his family.

            Blatant lies have a way of coming back to bite you and those you love. Madoff’s brother, Peter, worked at the firm as the senior managing director and chief compliance officer. He was sentenced to ten years in 2012, and his son, Mark, hanged himself in 2010. Many others were impacted by this giant lie.

 

            When ancient Israel was about to enter the Promised Land, Moses encouraged them to go over the Jordan River and take the land with great zeal before the Eternal. He said, “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). 

 

             “Cretans are always liars,” unfortunate words written long ago for all to read. What words might be written about us? Our desire would be these words: “And before the return of Christ the people of God were found to be honest, trustworthy, and faithfully proclaiming the truth throughout the world.”

 

              Have a great weekend and a restful and enlightening Sabbath.