Operate in Truth!
(Prov 12:22 GNB) The LORD hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.
This morning we continue our series The Lord, through Solomon, has already said quite a bit about lying, and here He addresses it again. Whenever you see something repeated over and over again in scripture, it is because the Father is driving home a point. I believe that by now the point is clear: The LORD hates liars!
Now, you may be thinking, "Hate is a strong word." Well, if you think that is strong, let's take a look a the King James Version. It says, "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD..." How's that for being strong? Maybe Solomon learned to take this strong stand against lying from his father David. David said, "You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors" (Psalm 5:4-6).Back in chapter six (verses 16-19) we learned about the seven things that God hates and "A lying tongue" was listed among them. It is not that He hates the sinner, but He does clearly hate the sin. He actually loves the sinner and commands us to do the same, but that does not mean that He will overlook sin and bless mess. Why? Because He expects us to do better. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and to deliver us from the very power of sin.
John explained it well when he said, "When people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God's family do not make a practice of sinning, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they are children of God" (1st John 3:8,9). Later on, in the last book of the Bible (The Revelation of Jesus Christ) John spoke of all those condemned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
Guess what? Liars are listed among them. Let's look at what he said, "But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars-their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death" (Rev 21:8). That's pretty bad company.
(Prov 12:22 GNB) The LORD hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.
This morning we continue our series The Lord, through Solomon, has already said quite a bit about lying, and here He addresses it again. Whenever you see something repeated over and over again in scripture, it is because the Father is driving home a point. I believe that by now the point is clear: The LORD hates liars!
Now, you may be thinking, "Hate is a strong word." Well, if you think that is strong, let's take a look a the King James Version. It says, "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD..." How's that for being strong? Maybe Solomon learned to take this strong stand against lying from his father David. David said, "You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors" (Psalm 5:4-6).Back in chapter six (verses 16-19) we learned about the seven things that God hates and "A lying tongue" was listed among them. It is not that He hates the sinner, but He does clearly hate the sin. He actually loves the sinner and commands us to do the same, but that does not mean that He will overlook sin and bless mess. Why? Because He expects us to do better. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and to deliver us from the very power of sin.
John explained it well when he said, "When people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God's family do not make a practice of sinning, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they are children of God" (1st John 3:8,9). Later on, in the last book of the Bible (The Revelation of Jesus Christ) John spoke of all those condemned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
Guess what? Liars are listed among them. Let's look at what he said, "But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars-their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death" (Rev 21:8). That's pretty bad company.
If you read to the word of the day, then I assume that is not the type of company you want to be grouped with. The second part of the verse is what you should focus in on.The Father is pleased with those who speak the truth. The Message Bible says, "... He loves the company of those who keep their word." He is the Truth; therefore He enjoys spending time with those who operate in truth. If you want the Father to enjoy spending time with you, you must be a person of truth. Learn to love what God loves and despise what He despises. Your displeasure with lying and liars will keep you from crossing the line and become one.
So what does this mean to you? It means that your actions matter to God. The Lord is not going to simply overlook sin. If you want to walk with Him and you want Him to walk with you, then you must take His Word seriously. He wants to spend time with you, but He will not spend time with a liar. Now, does that mean that you, as a believer, are sinless? No. But it does mean that you should sin less! You should not practice sin. Sin should no longer be your lifestyle. So, speak the truth, seek to live a life that is pleasing to God, and you will find that He will enjoy spending time with you!
Father, I am not a sinner, I am a Blood-bought, twice-born, Spirit-filled believer! I don't practice sin. Lying is not my lifestyle. I am a person of integrity. I speak the truth in love. I say what I mean and I mean what I say. I refuse to allow my words to entrap me. I walk in the light, as You are in the light, and the Blood of Jesus, Your Son, cleanses me from all sin. I walk in the newness of life today and that newness requires me to operate in truth! In Jesus' name. Amen!
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