Is The Devil Really a Liar?

How often have we heard that well worn phrase "The devil is a liar?" The bible scholars amongst us, know that this flows from the words of Jesus in John 8:44.

In that Scripture, Jesus says that when the devil lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. From this has come that phrase that Christians love to utter when a circumstance hits them left field. But, is the devil really a liar? To call the devil a liar as a fact would be correct. Jesus says he is, and that he is in fact the father (source) of all lies. However, the phrase is rarely quoted as a mere fact that the speaker has heard before, but with a level of conviction. That conviction is based on the belief that it is true. When a person calls the devil a liar they believe that it is true and that by uttering it, they will be vindicated. However, to be able to utter that phrase, the speaker must first be standing in the place of truth. What do I mean? You cannot legitimately utter that phrase if you are living a lie. When we are building our lives on lies that phrase ceases to be true concerning us. A house divided against itself cannot stand and when we are living in the wrong kingdom we cannot successfully undermine it if our values and beliefs derive from it. This is why those who don't know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour are powerless against the wiles of the devil. When he spreads his propaganda they believe it and immediately become afraid. Whatever you believe in becomes your truth even if it is in fact a lie. The devil is only a liar when truth is allowed to prevail otherwise he is not a liar. When we operate outside the truth, the devil's lies become our truth. Think about that for a moment. If we are living in disobedience to God's word, then for us the devil isn't a liar. Whatever he says comes to pass in the lives of the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). When we operate outside the truth, the devil's lies become our truth. Because Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, He could legitimately call the devil a liar. This kind of legitimacy is found in the righteousness of Christ which is available to all who have put their trust in Him and obey His will. Such righteousness exposes us to the truth in His word. Therefore, when we are walking in truth the devil is a liar.