"To tell the truth" was an American television show where three guests all claimed to be the same person who had an unusual profession or job. One of the guests was indeed that person, the other two were imposters, who tried to fool a celebrity panel into picking them as the right person. A commentator called the show "Let's lie to celebrities", making a joke out of the show's format.

Making a joke out of lying reflects an attitude that contradicts God's way of thinking.

Some denominational Christians believe that the God of the Bible is the God of our world. This is just one of several lies spread in today's Christianity. Some professing Christians react shocked and even offended when they are told that the real god of this "present evil world" (Galatians 1:4) is Satan the Devil (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Jesus Christ plainly stated that Satan introduced lying and rebellion into the world. In John 8:44 Christ declared to those who were antagonistic to His teaching: "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."

Lying is deceitful, and Revelation 12:9 tells us that Satan’s lying influence is so great that he "deceives the whole world."

The apostle Paul warned the Corinthian church that Satan uses lying tactics to present himself as being righteous to lead people astray: "For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Satan’s attitude of lying has permeated the entire world. People have all kinds of reasons for justifying their lies: they don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings, they want to protect themselves, the truth often hurts, etc. Governments give out distorted information to hide the real facts, etc.

We have gotten so accustomed to this kind of thing in our world that we expect it.

That is all going to end when the god of this “present evil world” is removed. A new world system will be established by Jesus Christ, who brought "grace and truth" to the earth when He first appeared.

How does the Bible describe those who will assist Him in establishing that new world order?

"He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart" (Psalm 15:2).

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!