Speaking The Truth
All of us have had multiple opportunities to decide whether or not we are going to tell the truth or tell a lie. From the time we were children, we have been confronted with uncomfortable moments where we must tell the truth or tell a lie. If our parents ask us, did you break the glass, it is easier to say, no, I did not break the glass because it is our natural inhibition to be seen in the best light or in a positive manner. Knowing that we did break the glass, it is hard to admit it because that would now mean we risk that chance of being seen in a negative light or a negative manner. Furthermore, it is easier to lie rather than admit to wrongdoing because there are consequences that we are not prepared to have to deal with.
Although we don’t want to be seen in a negative light, what is more important is that we are caught walking in God’s light. Walking in God’s light isn’t just about doing right all the time. It’s also about being willing, to tell the truth when you have been caught doing something wrong. My friends, when we learn to speak the truth, even when it feels difficult, God will begin to favor you and establish you. The scripture says it like this: Truthful lips will be established forever,
But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
When it becomes your natural instinct to lie, you are putting your position, your character, and your name at risk. Just as truth builds up the momentum for favor, promotion, and influence, lying builds up the momentum for dishonor, wickedness, and false gains that are momentary and not lasting.
Listen, I get it. Sometimes, lying is just convenient. Again, we lie because we don’t want to face the consequences of our actions. But think about what we’re saying. We fear consequences more than we fear God. Don’t allow your fear of momentary consequences to cause you to be known as a liar. All of us are guilty of having told a white lie or a small lie here and there. But the reality is this. A lie is not authenticated by its color or its size. It is authenticated by the intent of your heart. When your intent is to deceive and mislead people into believing something other than the truth, that my friend is a lie.
In the scriptures, a man by the name of Ananias and his wife were instructed to sell their land and give the proceeds to the Apostles so they could distribute the wealth accordingly. Ananias and his wife decided to withhold some of the money for themselves. When they had given the Apostles their money, it was with the intent to deceive. Ananias wanted to mislead Peter into believing that he had given all of the money to him. He wanted to be seen in a good light, that he was doing what everyone else was doing in contributing to the needs of others. Well, as you can imagine, this didn’t go over so well with God. That very day, Ananias and his wife breathed their last breath.
My friends, Jesus tells us that lying is the native language of Satan. Don’t come into agreement with your enemy by speaking lies. When you live to deceive, it will ultimately overtake you. Rather than deceiving, let us live to build influence and favor. The scripture tells us that Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved. When you find yourself in those uncomfortable moments when you are confronted with having to tell the truth or a lie, use those moments to allow God to establish you, promote you, and gain more influence, and to increase in favor.
