Prologue in Sermons: October 23

Against Lying

October 23*

(Evagrius the Monk on Liars)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

In order for you, brethren, to avoid the sin of lying, which is so widespread today, and to speak only the truth, we invite you today to listen to the following words of Evagrius the monk about liars.

“Since I see you care little about guarding your lips, I find it necessary to tell you a few words about how much evil lies bring us. Know that a liar is far from God and displeasing to Him, as the word of God says: 'Every lie stems from deceit' (cf. Prov. 12:17); and in another place: 'The devil is a liar and the father of lies' (John 8:44). From this it is clear that God is the Truth, and lies are from the devil. And this can be proven by the fact that God Himself calls Himself the Truth when He says: 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14:6). Having heard this, think about this: from Whom you are separating yourself by speaking lies, and to Whom you are drawing near; and then it will be clear to you that through lies you are moving away from God and drawing near to the devil. At the same time, consider whether you truly, sincerely desire to be saved. If so, then strive with all diligence and with all the strength of your soul to love the truth and in every way avoid the untruth that manifests itself in people's thoughts, in their words, and in their entire lives. Avoid this untruth in all its forms; and repent of your past lies, and, in order to avoid them in the future, often imagine the truth that tells us all that a bad tree will never bear good fruit."