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Whitewash from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.

The Lord Jesus Christ had an astounding way of seeing right through lies and deception. This trait was both wonderful and alarming to those around Him. The religious elite of the day, the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees, grew more and more envious of Jesus. God had raised Him up outside their circle and without their approval. Jesus bypassed their complex religious hierarchy and dealt straight with His Father in heaven, effectively sidelining them. 

The chief priests expected people to come to them if they wanted to know what God had to say. They felt they had a lock on God and could share Him with who they deemed worthy. They were the middleman and had the power to excommunicate you from the temple. They thought they could cut you off from God as if He was their pet. 

Then Jesus Christ came, teaching on the mountainsides and performing more miracles than could even be counted. He healed lepers, opened the eyes of the blind, multiplied food, cast out demons, and raised the dead. The outcasts from the temple flocked to Him in vast crowds, for God had come down to seek and save the lost sheep the shepherds had neglected and rejected. Jesus Christ loved people, walked in power, and was difficult to compete with.

The chief priests tried hard to lay traps for Jesus, but He saw right into their dark hearts and discerned their true motives every time. One day, they sent spies to try and trap Jesus in His words. They created a no-win scenario. 

The spies brought Jesus a silver coin called a denarius and asked Him if they should pay taxes to Caesar or not. If Jesus said no, the Romans would arrest Him for treason. If He said yes, the Jewish people would brand Him as a traitor to the nation and perhaps stone Him. 

(Luke 20:20–26 NKJV)  So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor. Then they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 

But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, "Why do you test Me? Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?" They answered and said, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.

Jesus perceived their true intention. He was a human lie detector that could look right inside you and see everything there. Jesus was the light of the world, and light exposes what is hidden in the dark. This is what He saw inside of the scribes and Pharisees:

(Matthew 23:27–28 NKJV)  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Hypocrite means "actor," someone playing a part. Jesus wasn't talking to drunks down at the tavern but to leaders at the temple, the upper echelon. We can be like a house that is pretty on the outside, but rotten and falling apart on the inside. The wheat and tares grow together until the harvest, and then the Lord will separate them. 

Jesus often perceived hidden thoughts, as He did this time with His Apostles, who were bickering about which of them was the greatest:

(Luke 9:46–48 NKJV)  Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great."

In Acts chapter 5, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, people were selling properties they owned and donating the proceeds to the new church that was helping the needy. A disciple named Barnabas sold a property he owned and brought the profits and laid it at the Apostle's feet. A couple in the church named Ananias and Sapphira saw the incredible generosity of Barnabas and the great respect everyone had for him, so they decided to do the same. They indeed sold their property, but when it came time to donate the money, satan tempted them to keep some of it. This way, they could have great respect and keep the money.

(Acts 5:1–6 NKJV)  But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

(Acts 5:7–10 NKJV)  Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much." Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.

Remember, a hypocrite is merely an actor playing a part. Ananias and Sapphira acted like they were sacrificially "giving it all to the church" before everyone, but it was just an act to get attention and more respect. They were free to keep all the money for themselves, but they dropped dead at Peter's feet when they lied to the Holy Spirit inside Peter. That was a strict judgment, but it was a new movement, and the Lord wanted it on the straight and narrow. A similar thing happened to Achan in Joshua 7:24 and Uzza in 1 Chronicles 13:9.

The Lord knows all. He knows His true sheep by name and what's in their hearts. You can't lie to God, don't even try. We can use every excuse we can dream up, but His light will burn straight through them all. So be quick to repent before it's too late. The Lord is understanding, forgiving, and loving, but also honest, trustworthy, and faithful. He doesn't lie, warns us not to, and knows when we are. 

(Ephesians 4:25 NKJV)  Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.

(Revelation 21:8 NKJV)  ...all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

That certainly makes "Liar, liar, pants on fire" more meaningful, doesn't it? Be honest with the Lord in all your conversation. You can pray this with me if you like: 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for what I have done and said wrong. Help me think before I speak. I want to live a life pleasing to You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!