READ: Proverbs 6:16-17, 12:19, 12:22, 17:20, 21:6
The book of
Proverbs speaks most harshly about lying, or deception. Lying is actually
something God hates, or in the words of Proverbs, “lying lips are an
abomination to the LORD . . .” (12:22). This is probably convicting to all of
us. As followers of Christ, we must commit to truthfulness in every matter.
Every human being has fallen into lying and we must face the challenge of
rising up to God’s standard. Perhaps it’s useful for us to ask - why do we
lie?
Sometimes we think we can gain advantages by
lying. Maybe we can improve what people think of us, or pry open a door where
others will want to be our friends, or give us material items. But no advantage
is gained long-term! Instead, “truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue
is but for a moment” (12:19). It’s only for a moment that we gain any
advantage! Truthfulness has great value long-term and it’s imitating the Truth
Himself!
Truthfulness
includes the avoidance of exaggeration. For sure, in a joking manner, where
people know that we’re not serious, exaggeration has its place – “I feel like I
could eat a cow right now!” However, if exaggeration is used to impress or
deceive, we have fallen into sin. Thankfully God is SO good at revealing the
motives of our hearts! In assessing what lying is we can ask - what is going on
in our hearts? Are we trying to manipulate a person’s response?
Truthfulness also
involves following through on our promises, or not making promises that we have
no intention of keeping. As servants of the ultimate Promise Keeper, we’re
called to carefully consider what we commit to AND pay the price of following
through.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1.
Are
you a truthful person and do you keep your promises? Not only is our own name
on the line, but also God’s reputation. Spend some time confessing any
dishonesty and make a commitment to truthfulness, no matter how hard it’ll be.
2.
Spend
some time interceding for an increase in truthfulness in Canada, in all spheres
of society. Also pray that more and more people would come to know Jesus, the
Way, the Truth and the Life.
