On Wednesday
March 1 (Ash Wednesday) Christians everywhere began celebrating Lent – the
40-day period leading up to Easter. During this season we reflect more deeply upon
matters of our faith – we remain more conscious of our actions, thoughts and
general behavior, holiness and acts that please our Father are our highest priority.
Some
years ago my Pastor preached a sermon titled “How We Lie.” I looked back at my sermon notes recently and thought
that I would share the ideas for others to examine during the Holy season of
Lent.
First,
my own true confession! Before I heard the How
We Lie sermon I thought I was a consistent truth-teller. But half-way
through the sermon that day I was doing some serious character self-examination
and came to the conclusion that I didn’t always speak the truth. I was a liar –
a thought that truly alarmed me since I knew that lying is one of those sins
that God says, in no uncertain terms, He “detests”.
- There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue,… Proverbs 6:16
- The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. Proverbs 12:22
- I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence. Psalm 101:7
How Do We Lie?
Dictionary.com defines the word lie as a false statement made
with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood (noun) and to express what is false;
convey a false impression (verb).
Using
these definitions in context, we will observe seven instances that people
lie, with little or no thought:
- Slander – ill-speaking against a person or situation, often with little or no supporting facts. “I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.” Psalm 101:5
- Tale-bearing – giving information about someone/something that could be repeated. “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets.” Proverbs 20:19
- Insinuation – saying just enough to form an impression in someone’s mind that may or may not be the truth. “…laying aside all malice,…” 1 Peter 2:1
- Flattery – when the words spoken are insincere. “…do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.” Proverbs 20:19
- Half-truths – leaving out part of the response to deceive “…laying aside all deceit,…” 1 Peter 2:1
- Exaggeration – making a situation seem better than it is actuality “…laying aside all hypocrisy…” 1 Peter 2:1
- Excuses – for committing to something and then not doing it. Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
Children
of God may never deliberately set out to tell lies but when we consider this
list with the definitions above, we may be guilty of using speech that are “falsehoods” – lying. Scripture confirms that each of these
behaviors is a sin in God’s eyes.
It
is safe to say that at one time or another, we have been guilty of “falsehood” due
to inattentiveness to what came out of our mouths, especially when we spoke “in
jest.” The truth is, if what we say is not strictly true, we have offended God
by saying it – even when we say it in jest it is still a lie.
Living
a holy and righteous Christian life leaves little room for error and can seem
so difficult and straight-laced – but we must decide if the promised end of
eternal life with Christ does actually justify the means.
Revelation
21: 8 says in part, “…ALL liars shall have their part in
the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” There
is no wiggle room here for a child of God – all means all
and this is not the eternity we are striving toward nor the end we
envision for ourselves.
Thankfully,
we have a Father who faithfully promises that none of His chosen would perish
and provides for us a way out, if we are willing to take it. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” John 1:9
Since
we devote the Lenten season to growing closer to God and focusing on spiritual
preparation for the Easter celebration, let us use this opportunity to include mindfulness
of speech and the motive behind our words.
It’s
possible to be totally unaware of our failing in this area of our lives so we must
bring our doubts to God in diligent and sincere prayer and the Holy Spirit, the
revealer of Truth, will show us where we are falling short. Then, we can make use
of the special privilege promised to every child of God – the cleansing power
of the blood of Christ Jesus in repentance:
Have mercy on me, O
God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out
the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin…Create
in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalm 51:1-2, 10-11
In our fallen state, it is impossible to recognize all
the sins lurking in our hearts, but our Holy Father with His sanctifying Spirit
will help us to achieve what is impossible to do on our own; make every word we
utter pleasing to Him who loves us.
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy God and Father, You are grace
and truth – the God who cannot lie. During the season of Lent we strive to love
you better, to be holy as You and Your Son are Holy. Thank you for revealing to
us what is in our hearts so we can be cleansed even from our hidden faults. Keep us your servants from
deliberate sins! Don’t let them control us. Then we can be free of guilt and
innocent of great sin. And then the words of our mouths and the meditation of our
hearts will be pleasing to you. Thank you Lord! You are our rock and our
redeemer to WHOM belong all dominion and power for ever and ever.
We pray and ask all things in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and LORD.
Amen.
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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