Liar, Liar Pants on Fire
When I was a child, I was not allowed to call anyone a liar. I was permitted to say, "You are not telling the truth." It didn't quite have the same force in my opinion. Similarly, the creator of the rhyme, "Liar liar, pants on fire" opted for a more playful approach to exposing another's lies. This little diddy provokes laughter and lightheartedness in its intended target, whereas, to the writer of the first chapter of the epistle of First John, lying is no laughing matter.
In the children's story "Pinocchio", the beloved character (a puppet made of wood) had a nose that would grow each time he told a lie. Pinocchio could not tell a lie without the lie telling on him. Forensic psychologist are individuals who are trained to spot the metaphorical "growing nose" in people. It is believed we all give certain cues - our body language - when we are telling a lie; and we are likely unaware we are doing it.
In First John chapter one, the writer of the epistle (letter), like a forensic psychologist, is able to spot deception in members of the early Church who turned away from the teachings of Jesus. John puts it this way, "They went out from us, but they were not of us." (First John Chapter 2). John instructs us to look for the cues of the deceivers; they continually sin as a way of life (walk in darkness) and deny being a sinner (refuse to acknowledge their sin).
Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 7 (verses 22 and 23), "Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" Jesus is the ultimate "lie detector". He detects our deception even when we look and play the part of a Christ follower. Don't get caught with your pants on fire.
Father, I confess: "I have sinned". Clean me up inside. Renew the right spirit within me. I confess any sin in my life that would take me out of fellowship with You. Thank You for forgiving me and putting me back in right standing with You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
In the children's story "Pinocchio", the beloved character (a puppet made of wood) had a nose that would grow each time he told a lie. Pinocchio could not tell a lie without the lie telling on him. Forensic psychologist are individuals who are trained to spot the metaphorical "growing nose" in people. It is believed we all give certain cues - our body language - when we are telling a lie; and we are likely unaware we are doing it.
In First John chapter one, the writer of the epistle (letter), like a forensic psychologist, is able to spot deception in members of the early Church who turned away from the teachings of Jesus. John puts it this way, "They went out from us, but they were not of us." (First John Chapter 2). John instructs us to look for the cues of the deceivers; they continually sin as a way of life (walk in darkness) and deny being a sinner (refuse to acknowledge their sin).
Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 7 (verses 22 and 23), "Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" Jesus is the ultimate "lie detector". He detects our deception even when we look and play the part of a Christ follower. Don't get caught with your pants on fire.
Father, I confess: "I have sinned". Clean me up inside. Renew the right spirit within me. I confess any sin in my life that would take me out of fellowship with You. Thank You for forgiving me and putting me back in right standing with You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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