Lies.

"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no fibs."

-Oliver Goldsmith

"Half the truth is a lie."

-Anonymous

"One striking difference between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives."

-Mark Twain

"Sin has many tools, but a lie is a handle which fits them all."

-Oliver Wendell Holmes

"Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.

-Proverbs 25:18 NLT

Seems like the Proverbs are alive with billboards about liars:

"The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble" (Proverbs 12:13).

"An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies" (Proverbs 12:17).

"Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed" (Proverbs 12:19).

"A false witness will not go unpunished, and a liar will be destroyed" (Proverbs 19:9).

"Do not testify spitefully against innocent neighbors; don't lie about them" (Proverbs 24:28).

Lies are deadly weapons that can be found in the same arsenal as axes, arrows, and swords. I believe if the Bible had been written today the list would even include tactical weapons such as we know today. All are deadly. All can hurt, wound, maim, bruise, and kill.

Where do lies come from?

Listen to what Jesus said as he confronted a group of arguing non-believers: "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. Why can't you understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to do so! For you are the children of your father the Devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:42-44). Lies are the products of the father of lies, Old Smutty Mouth, the Devil.

Where do lies go?

According to the Proverbs we've read, deadly lies are aimed at the innocent, godly, and honest. Lies are aimed at the truth. Lies are the products of the father of lies and he is the hater of all truth: "He was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth." When we stand for and live the truth we will run headlong into the weapons of the deceitful one.

"Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil" (Ephesians 6:10).

"Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness" (Ephesians 6:13).

"In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan" (Ephesians 6:16).

Why do you suppose God instructs us to put on the whole armor? Because we are going to war, not a church picnic! That's why! And the enemy's weaponry includes a full arsenal of lies, often mixed with truth, but still as deadly as axes, arrows, and swords. Where do lies go? Our direction . . . be ready!

How do lies get to their intended targets?

Add the Devil's character to human hearts that are most deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) and what do you have? Liars: terrorists ready with axes, arrows, and swords.

James says, "People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those made in the image of God" (James 3:7-9).

We, if we're not extremely careful, can pick up the axes, arrows, and swords and wield them against those of our own army: " . . . sometimes it (the tongue) breaks out into curses against those made in the image of God." I've heard it said, "The Christian Army is the only army in the world that shoots its own wounded." Be on guard: Don't become our own worst enemy!

Who are the real fatalities?

In the Proverbs we read I hope you did not miss these phrases:

"The wicked are trapped by their own words . . ."

""A false witness will not go unpunished . . ."

" . . . lies are soon exposed."

Again, in James, "So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself" (James 3:5-6).

The intended targets are often not the real fatalities! It sounds to me like James is telling us, "Your tongue will ruin your life and turn your life into a blazing flame of destruction!" We are assassinating ourselves when we hurl those axes, arrows, and swords at others. Sure, telling lies about others can be harmful to them, but to those who lie it can be suicide.

"For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

We're in a war. Weapons are loaded. Can you see your targets? If the answer is "yes" you are aimed at a wrong target.

Our enemies are unseen.

Hold your fire.