YE ARE OF YOUR FATHER, FATHER OF LIES II – “Modern Pharisees”
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44
The devil has nothing to do with truth – for there is no truth in him. Lying is his very nature. From the beginning, Satan has been a deceiver and the father of lies. It is his native tongue, his craft, and his weapon against the souls of men.
Though lying may seem commonplace and often dismissed as a “small sin,” it remains sin nonetheless. Scripture records countless examples of deceit – Cain twisting truth, Abraham and Isaac concealing the truth out of fear, Jacob deceives for gain, and Sarah lying to the Angel of the Lord. Even King David, the Apostle Peter, and others faltered in dishonesty. Yet only Ananias and Sapphira faced instant divine judgment—a sobering reminder that God sees beyond our words into the truth of our hearts.
Exodus 20:16 commands, “You shall not bear false witness,” while Proverbs 12:22 declare that “lying lips are detestable to the Lord.” Paul warned of hypocrisy born of deceit (1 Timothy 4:2), and Revelation 21:8 warns that “all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire.” Lying is no trivial fault—it is a spiritual cancer that aligns us with the father of lies himself.
The Power and Destruction of Lies
Lies are powerful precisely because they are believed. They distort reality, erode trust, and hinder obedience to God. Lies shape behavior, fuel fear, and imprison hearts in confusion and guilt.
In recent years, America has been overwhelmed by waves of falsehood and deliberate misinformation. Such deceit is not merely political – it is spiritual warfare. Lies divide, deceive, and destroy. They have undermined truth, endangered lives, and corrupted justice for selfish gain.
One absurd example was the false claim that migrants were “eating cats and dogs” in Springfield, Ohio—a grotesque lie eclipsed only by the preposterous notion that certain groups could “control the weather” for political advantage. The only One who has ever commanded the weather is Jesus Christ. In Mark 4:35–41, He rebuked the wind and waves, and they obeyed Him. That is divine authority – true power. No human manipulation can counterfeit the sovereign command of the Lord of all creation.
Now, this “Art of Lying” has grown bolder, shedding even the pretense of truth. Falsehoods are proclaimed without shame, weaponized for personal and political gain.
Battling Lies with Truth
Corrupt leaders and complicit agencies have sown seeds of deceit to justify lawlessness and darkness. But their schemes only prove the urgency of Christ’s words: “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31–32)
To stand for truth is to stand with God. When we walk in His Word, deception loses its grip. Darkness trembles in the light of truth, for lies cannot withstand exposure.
A Call to Discernment
The parable of the wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15) remains timeless: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” The “yeast of the Pharisees” still corrupts hearts and systems today, manifesting in the rise of the Modern Pharisee – those who wear holiness as a mask while harboring corruption within.
A modern Pharisee cloaks self-righteousness and pride in moral virtue. They emphasize ritual but neglect mercy, wield faith as a weapon, and condemn others while excusing their own deceit. Their influence spreads like poison – distorting truth and exploiting belief for personal or political power.
May God guard the innocent from hypocrisy and spiritual blindness. As Jesus said, “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16–20). And Peter warned, “There will be false teachers among you… in their greed they will exploit you with fabricated words.” (2 Peter 2:1–3)
The warning endures: beware of those who speak holiness but live deceit. Beneath their pious veneer lies the same spirit that opposed Christ—the spirit of the Modern Pharisee.
Stand Firm in the Truth
Beloved brothers and sisters, be discerning. Do not be swayed by the flood of lies or the noise of deception. Stand firm on the Word of God. Let His truth anchor your soul.
The world is loud with confusion, but Truth has a name—and His name is Jesus Christ. He alone is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6) Stand on His truth, for your eternity depends upon it.