truth serum
"Who is the liar?" —1 John 2:22
As we begin the new year, we are asked the question: "Who is the liar?" The answers to this question are:
- "He who denies that Jesus is the Christ" (1 Jn 2:22).
- "The Antichrist, denying the Father and the Son" (1 Jn 2:22).
- "The man who claims, 'I have known Him,' without keeping His commandments" (1 Jn 2:4).
The devil is also a liar (Jn 8:44). Yet he is more than that. He is "the father of lies" (Jn 8:44). He starts, expands, connects, and manages lies to form a culture of death. Only if we believe in Jesus, the Truth (see Jn 14:6), and thereby reject Satan and all his lying works and promises, will we be free (see Jn 8:32). If, however, we let ourselves be bribed or intimidated into believing Satan's lies, we will be manipulated even into calling God a liar (1 Jn 1:10; 5:10).
To overcome the evil spirit, we need the Holy Spirit, Who is the Truth (1 Jn 5:6). "As His anointing teaches you about all things and is true — free from any lie — remain in Him as that anointing taught you" (1 Jn 2:27). "When He comes...being the Spirit of Truth He will guide you to all truth" (Jn 16:13). Come, Holy Spirit of Truth!
Prayer: Father, by Your grace I will never "do anything against the Truth, but only for the sake of the Truth" (2 Cor 13:8).
Promise: "He Himself made us a promise and the promise is no less than this: eternal life." —1 Jn 2:25
Praise: St. Basil was grandson, son, and brother to other canonized saints.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our book, The Truth Will Set You Free.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 30, 2014
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