Two Things | Mar 27th
Okay, ONE Thing. Proverbs chapter speaks of two, but we only covered the first Sunday…Lying. The writer pleads with God in 30:7 to help him with two things that threaten to be destructive to life and Godliness throughout his life. We read the text and assume the same posture…no matter if we surmise neither is a big deal in our life, they are. It’s a warning from God’s Word, we trust that.
First, let’s realize that when the writer asks God for help to keep lies far from him, he’s not asking for God to keep liars, manipulators and tricksters away from him, but he’s asking God to keep him FROM “vain speech” and “words of deception.” He asks to keep him from being a man of vanity and falsehood. We are our own worst enemy when it comes to lying.
Why do we lie? It requires more space than what we’ll take here to backup this claim, but let us suggest the primary issue at root of our lies to be a fear that we will not BE enough. We tend to lie most consistently in an effort to project ouselves as something we are not, or to hide those parts of us we fear others would reject or ridicule. We tend not to realize this or acknowledge it.
One of our problems is we’ve drawn a new line. Although lies are an abomination to God, that He is full of Truth, that He does not and cannot lie, we live as though a bit of falsehood is fine. As a result of deadening our conscience our little lies turn to not so little lies to medium lies to major lies.
When we are not committed to the highest level of integrity…to utter truthfulness…honoring God with a commitment to purity…our lives become a slow fade. A slow fade to dark places that we have no idea how we got there, and in fact it is our own sloppiness. It is unchristian to practice vain speech, words of deception, falsehood, lies OF ANY SORT.
What can we do? First we must acknowledge that we are concerned far too much what others think rather than seeking God’s approval and understanding our new identity in Christ. So the solution begins…maybe as all spiritual solutions do…with faith. Believing what God says about you in Christ is critical for life.
Secondly, think. Don’t go to sleep. Think about when your putting up false front. When your operating out of the fear of what others might be thinking about you. it doesn’t matter, and it’s not worth your soul.
Third. Ask God. That’s what the writer of the Proverbs did. We should follow his example. It cannot be done on your own.
Fourth, practice. Don’t allow for ANY lies of ANY sort exist in your life. None. Practice complete honesty.
Questions to ponder:
What’s the very first lie you can remember telling in your childhood? Do you remember the feeling?
Why do we allow for some falsehood in our lives?
What would happen if we we’re utterly honest about ourselves? How would it make a “mess.” What good might come of it?
What can you admit right now that is a vulnerable truth about yourself?
