True or False? - From His Heart - Week of January 16
TRUE OR FALSE?
"There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers." Proverbs 6:16-19
Lying. It seems it has become so commonplace in today’s society that we just accept it as part of life.
In the realm of politics, lying is standard fare. When we catch a politician in a lie, we just roll our eyes and say, “What else is new?” When we call him, or her, on the carpet for the lie, he or she often responds with a bogus excuse such as, “I didn’t lie; it depends on what your definition of the word is.” Ugh!
In business, lying is so much a part of the landscape that contracts are necessary in nearly every transaction. A man’s word and handshake—the agreement that used to be binding—nowadays means nothing.
In the home, spouses sometimes lie to one another … and children often lie to their parents. One little boy was asked in Sunday School, “What is a lie?” He answered, “A lie is an untrue story … and a very present help in trouble.”
Even in the church, lying is a growing problem. A seminary professor cautioned me with these sobering words, “Pastor Search Committees lie.” In large part, that statement is true. To be fair, the committees’ lies are typically not blatant. The members on that Pastor Search Committee simply paint their church in the best possible light, downplaying the problems they know exist. Pastors who fail to do their due diligence find out very quickly, after the fact, that the true condition of the church is a far cry from what was presented.
So what are we to think about lying? Since “everybody’s doing it, doing it, doing it,” has it become okay in today’s world to lie?
WHAT DOES GOD SAY?
In the verse reference above from Proverbs 6, God says in no uncertain terms that he hates lying. In fact, He hates it so much that He mentions it twice on His list of “seven things I hate.” Why does God feel so strongly about lying?
1. God hates lying because He is truth. Lying is not wrong because God arbitrarily said it is wrong. Lying is wrong and sinful because it is the opposite of the nature of God. God is pure honesty and truth. Lying is totally foreign and repulsive to His being.
2. God hates lying because lying is the language of the devil. Jesus said the devil is “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Anyone who lies is following in the devil’s footsteps.
3. God hates lying because lying destroys. Nothing will last if it is built on lies, whether a marriage, a family, a business, or a community. Lies are like termites; they eat away at the structure until it all comes crashing down.
4. God hates lying because lying keeps people from Him. Did you know you can never get right with God until you get honest with God? The Scripture says, “By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for” (Proverbs 16:6). If there is no truthfulness—no honest confession of sin—iniquity cannot and will not be forgiven.
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
What is your attitude toward lying? Do you hate it … or resort to it when in trouble? Make the decision TODAY to be a person of honesty and integrity. Come totally clean with God over sin in your life. He can forgive the vilest offender who gets honest with Him. He can change the worst of sinners who choose to be truthful.
The choice is yours. Will you be true or false?
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
P.S. I would love to hear from you. Maybe you need to get some things off your chest. Email me at pastorjeff@fromhisheart.org.
Jeff Schreve founded From His Heart Ministries, www.fromhisheart.org, in 2005 with the vision to reach as many people as possible with the good news of God's love. Jeff believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a great plan just for you. He broadcast on radio, TV and in the internet around the world from his pulpit ministry as Pastor of First Baptist in Texarkana, Texas. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All gifts go to further the broadcast.
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