Proverbs 14:5
“A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.”
I remember as a child being told not to lie. There were two reasons:
- “It hurts my feelings,” my mom or dad might say.
- “You will be in a lot of trouble!” was the usual reply.
This verse does not need much explanation in terms of what it means: Honest people tell the truth, liars lie.
Most people can tell you that in most instances a truth keeps you out of trouble, but a lie only digs you ever deeper into trouble.
It is also interesting that what story we tell becomes a habit, and it is learned from our father.
Father of Lies
Here is something many churches in the early Twenty-first Century have largely stopped telling those who enter their doors: as a sinner, you are a child of the Devil. It is understandable that lies would become a habit in your life if you take after your father.
You say that you can not believe this?
In John 8:44 (NIV), Jesus said “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
If you find you are prone to lie about anything and everything, I will give you three guesses as to who your spiritual father is. That equates to much trouble.
Father of Truth
Here is something that most churches in the early Twenty-first Century tell people: good people are from God. There is generally truth in this statement.
Some people tell the truth for the simple reasons that it is safer and could very well have health benefits. But being honest is no guarantee of peace.
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32, NIV).
Jesus knew we would be weak and tempted to lie, so He promised His followers, “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me” (John 15:26, NIV).
This tells us that the Trinitarian God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) are truth, and God helps us to live in truth, to live in Him.
Through Jesus Christ, we are adopted by God. He becomes our Father and teaches us the habits of truth.
Seek out the Lord Jesus Christ to be a child of light and truth.
Dear Lord, help us to live in Your truth. Help us to turn from our lies. Help us believe in the sacrifice on the cross that welcomes us into Your family.
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