Always Tell the Truth

The Bible says, ‘…Nor was any deceit in [Christ’s] mouth’ (Isaiah 53:9 NIV). And if God has His way with us, none will be found in ours either. God doesn’t seek to minimise our deception, but to eliminate it altogether. He is blunt about dishonesty. ‘No one who is dishonest will live in my house…’ (Psalms 101:7 NCV). Paul lists the types of people who will not inherit the kingdom of God – those who sin sexually, worship idols, get drunk, rob people, and – lie about others (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). ‘You mean my fibbing and flattering stir the same heavenly anger as adultery and aggravated assault?’ Apparently so. God views fudging on income tax in the same way as He views kneeling before idols. ‘The Lord hates those who tell lies but is pleased with those who keep their promises’ (Proverbs 12:22 NCV). Why the tough stance? Because dishonesty is absolutely contrary to the character of God (Hebrews 6:18). It’s not that God won’t lie, or has chosen not to lie, but that He cannot lie. A dog can’t fly, a bird can’t bark, and God can’t lie. When He makes a covenant, He keeps it. When He makes a statement, He means it. When He proclaims the truth, we can believe it. Even, ‘If we are not faithful, [God] remains faithful, because He cannot be false to Himself’ (2 Timothy 2:13 GNT). With God, the truth is not a gray area, it’s black and white. So if you’re serious about walking with Him and pleasing Him, you must commit to ‘the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.’

Soul food: Exo 20:17; 2 Kings 5:1-27; Ecc 5:10; Luke 12:13-34