“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. Try and keep this verse at the forefront of your mind as you read this commentary. If you don’t agree with the above verse you’ve got a lot more to worry about than the content of this commentary.

 

I’ve written time and again about the destructiveness of lies. Once previously I wrote about an incredibly destructive lie being promoted even by Christians as a wonderful and fully acceptable truth. Now God has put it on my heart to go into a more detailed explanation. I woke up one morning about 3:00 am and was immediately bombarded with the subject matter for this commentary. “But Lord I’ve written about this subject before, just a few months ago”. Still, I couldn’t shake the impulse to begin another commentary focused on this same subject. So I climbed out of my nice comfortable bed, sat down at my computer, and began writing everything He was giving me.

Speak a fable – something which sounds plausible – and over time guess what happens? People begin to accept the fable as truth. As many continually embrace fables, multitudes more are drawn to them – believing them becomes the norm. Continually repeating a wonderful sounding fable year in and year out, pretty soon the fable is miraculously transformed into what many perceive to be truth.

There’s a lie that is so incredibly subtle yet so pervasive and evil that every time it is uttered, in ignorance, most will nod in agreement. What is this satanically devised lie? Before I get into the specifics of one of Satan’s most destructive lies, let’s take a look at what God’s word has to say about deception and foolish speech. 

Throughout God’s inerrant Word we’re warned to beware, be discerning, be watchful, be vigilant; all these phrases have the same meaning, which is exactly what Jesus meant when He said “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Matthew 24:4. What happened? Few, even among Christian believers, actually heed God’s warning.

“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks… Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:4 & 6. The Apostle Paul had just gone through a sizable list of sins which describe who these children of disobedience are. He adds this admonition “let no many deceive you with vain words”. Vain means empty, void of truth. Then Paul adds the words “foolish talking” as a characteristic of the children of disobedience. Speaking in today’s vernacular, it would read “talking foolishly”, which is still holding with the Greek word “mōrologia”. From “moros” we get, “foolish, dull, stupid”, and from “lego”, as used in Ephesians 5:4, it denotes more than mere idle “talk”. Some scholars describe it as “that talk of fools” which is foolishness and sin together.

 

The lie I’m going to reveal in a moment falls quite well into the category of talking foolishly – holding to foolishness and sin together. It’s actually a phrase that is parroted often, but when it is quoted by someone who isn’t even a follower of Jesus Christ in reference to another nonbeliever it is simply “that talk of fools”. That talk of fools stems from either ignorance of the truth, or an attitude of non-belief altogether. And little do most realize how deceptive this “foolish talk” can be.

 

There are many fables and downright lies being promoted today, and many even with biblical knowledge are unaware of their destructiveness. This particular lie is so all-encompassing nowadays I imagine few can actually say they’ve never used it. As I mentioned, the lie is satanic. Remember there is no benevolence in Satan’s character, nor has there ever been. So we must conclude that his agenda is to do and be evil continually.

 

“Let no man deceive you by any means:” 2 Timothy 2:3a. Why does God place, throughout His inerrant word, a warning against allowing oneself to be deceived? Because He knows Satan much better than we do. He knows Satan has done much evil and will continue to do every evil thing in his power to stumble us. Satan’s arsenal is built on deception.

 

“Little children, let no man deceive you:” 1 John 3:7. The Apostle John is speaking to those who are born again. Yes, even born again believers can be deceived, especially by the lie I’m about to reveal. I know, because I’ve heard it from the lips of believers when referring to someone who has just passed away. For those of you who are paying attention, that’s a clue.

 

“Let no man deceive himself.” 1 Corinthians 3:18. It is a sad thing when men deceive themselves, but worse yet when they deceive multitudes of others with what they perceive to be a seemingly harmless lie. This lie is continually repeated, many times, as an innocent way to console someone who has just lost a loved one. Well what can possibly come from repeating a harmless lie? I’ll tell you what harm. Generations of lost souls.

 

“I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” 1 John 2:21. People who repeat this particular lie have, for the most part, no idea of the damage it has done and continues to do. I can think of many lies that have corrupted the masses and which are now accepted as truth by huge throngs of this planet’s population (the horrible satanic lie of evolution immediately comes to mind). But the lie I’m writing about is this, “At least they’re in a better place.” This lie corrupts ever so subtly when spoken about someone who was never a follower of Jesus Christ. Most Christians don’t even see the problem inherent in such a statement.   

 

I know by now many of you might be getting all riled up, but I’ll say this, that phrase is quite appropriate when used in the context of a born again believer in Christ who has passed on. But when it is used, whether by a believer or non-believer, to comfort the loved one of a recently deceased friend or family member who has never given a second thought to Jesus Christ and His Gospel, it is nothing more than the promotion of a satanic lie.

 

This horrible lie, which Satan loves to hear promoted, has been disseminated for so many years, that most people believe it even though they know their loved one never once in their entire life thought of Jesus Christ. Now that they’ve heard this lie they’ll stand by it fully convinced that everyone goes to Heaven no matter what they believe. Why? Because the alternative is unthinkable.

 

Many people will condemn me and this commentary as being unsympathetic towards those who are grieving, but a lie is a lie no matter in what context it’s used. Remember, Satan hasn’t a benevolent scrap of character in him. The only agenda that he has is to convince folks they are in good shape spiritually and that they are going to Heaven when they die because everyone goes to Heaven when they die no matter what they believe.

 

“At least they’re in a better place”. Although it seems harmless enough it really isn’t. I’m convinced that in the past this satanic lie has been, and continues today as, the culprit that has kept many folks condemned to Hell. When folks believe they go to Heaven because they are basically good people, or because they’re convinced everyone goes to Heaven when they die they’re only deceiving themselves. Believe me, this huge lie is growing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the phrase “People believe there are many paths to Heaven, so who am I to dispute them”. It especially concerns me when I hear this from the lips of pastors.  

 

I guess I can understand the lost promoting such a lie, but a believer in Christ? How can a man stand before a congregation while holding his tattered, worn, and obviously well read Bible in his hand, open his mouth and preach what he says is God’s truth, yet as he’s standing there looking out over his congregation he doesn’t even believe what he’s preaching? Is it ignorance? Is it foolishness? Is it Satanic? Is it avoidable? Yes. Run from such a person.

 

The only people that die and go to a better place are those who die as born again believers in Christ. God tells us in His Word, Hell will be the only abode of the Christ rejecting dead. No well rehearsed comforting lie will change that fact, but it may destroy the lives of those who you’re trying to comfort.

 

Expressing sympathy at a funeral doesn’t need to include the phrase “At least they’re in a better place”. Simple, brief expressions of sympathy are best and they do comfort. While most people find themselves at a loss for words, the family will appreciate a sincere expression of condolence–however brief. “I’m sorry,” or “I’m so sorry to hear of your loss,” should be the most commonly used expressions, and they are perfectly adequate when said in a sincere, sympathetic voice. If you knew the deceased well enough, it is often helpful to say something like “I always counted Bob as a good friend,” or “Jane will be missed.” Kind words are always welcomed. If you knew the deceased and knew they had rejected the truth of the Gospel all their lives then “At least they’re in a better place” is nothing more than a bald faced lie. Can’t you imagine the destructiveness in that statement when spoken to the remaining loved ones? God always has a purpose. Time and time again He’ll use His children to relate His message to the lost world. His message to all who will read this commentary is to stop believing the lie and to come to Him for the truth; to believe what He’s telling us in His word and to turn from following Satan. 

 

I’m sure I’ve stepped on some toes here, and as usual my motives will be misconstrued. It must be understood, though, that parroting a lie for the sake of comfort does more harm than good over the long term. If you are approached by someone and they ask you whether or not you believe their deceased loved one is in Heaven, don’t give them your opinion but refer them to the Word of God. John 3:16 is a good place to begin.

 

Why promote something of Satan’s inception? Let’s promote the truth of the Gospel of Christ instead. Comfort the hurting without mōrologia  – “Foolish talk”.

 

God bless you all,

Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

96 County Road 5480 Salem, MO 6560

All scripture is from the KJV