The First Liar Genesis 3:4 I. Introduction. A. Man lived in Eden, with all the blessings and benefits. B. Knew no sin, no problems, no troubles--only one adversary: Genesis 3:1. C. If you had never heard anyone lie--how would you react? D. Truth existed in the garden--until: Read Genesis 3:1-4. E. Lies and liars have existed since this event. F. Lying is a learned skill(small children will tell truth--unless taught otherwise). G. Lie-from pseudos: falsehood. H. If it ain't true, it is a lie! II. Body. A. Why did Satan become the first liar? 1. Called the father of liars: John 8:44. 2. Satan seeks power over humans. 3. Exploits weaknesses. 4. Consider the temptation of Eve: Genesis 3:6. 5. Liars of the present are his victims/disciples. 6. Since then--the number of lies(liars) are not countable. B. The second liar: Genesis 4:9. 1. Result of jealousy and anger. 2. Men lie when they give over to fleshly impulses. 3. Cain was discovered--God knows all. 4. A liar's reaction: Genesis 4:13. 5. Not unusual--try to blame others. 6. Lies have consequences: Genesis 4:11-12. 7. But--the Lord let him live(with consequences and shame). C. Even an apostle lied: Matthew 26:69-75. 1. Three times! 2. A moment of weakness can occur in even the strongest. D. Analyze why the above three lied: 1. Satan: to gain power. a. Employed at present: some advertising, politicians, etc. b. Satan will stop at nothing to deceive men. c. Dressed-up lies. 2. Cain: Cover his misdeeds. a. Desired to escape consequences. b. Done in haste: still wrong. c. A common method of present. 3. Peter: To protect himself. a. Fear motivated. b. Men will sin to avoid exposure. c. Peter was in the wrong place with the wrong crowd. E. Why do men lie at present? 1. All of the above. 2. For wealth. 3. Habit. 4. In a moment of weakness. 5. Caught in unpleasant circumstances. 6. Desire not to "offend" someone(trying to spare feelings of others). 7. Often listen to wrong words, thoughts or ideas: Proverbs 17:4. 8. Be careful what we repeat. F. Lies may be told in different ways. 1. Primarily with the mouth. a. Liar: Logos-pseudos(explain). b. As Cain, Satan, etc. 2. Live a lie. a. In a sense--Jacob(explain). b. Hypocrites do this: I John 2:4. 3. Act a lie. a. Ananias and Sapphira. b. Satan motivated and filled their hearts. 4. Adding to God's word: Proverbs 30:6. a. Makes all false teachers liars: I John 2:22. b. If God struck down these, there would be no clergy! 5. Self deception: I John 1:10. G. The fate of liars: Revelation 21:8. 1. With all of the ungodly! 2. Note: Proverbs 19:22. III. Conclusion. A. The truth will save; lies will condemn. B. One does not have to fear when stick with truth. C. It is easier to speak the truth than hide behind a lie.-jy