Tell The Truth

May 6, 2021

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,

~Romans 9:1~

We are all guilty of telling a lie in one way or another, aren't we? Those little moments where we believe all we represent is truth yet we find ourselves holding back things the Lord wants us to say to another so they can hear His correction, we put others growth on the line for our fear of men; "The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe." (Proverbs 29:25)

When we lie to please people we are bringing a snare to them and ourselves spiritually.

Lying comes in many forms and many ages of course, as we witness our own children falling into a snare of lies so they do not "get in trouble." We have a God who knows and sees everything; let us teach this to our children and remember it for ourselves. Have you ever found yourself leaving out part of the gospel to please another soul? Have you ever bit your tounge when Holy Spirit was telling you to speak up? Have you ever told a person how you believe them to be, then went back home only to speak the opposite of them? Truth is vital in following Jesus Christ, after all He is the Truth; "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

Holding back truth to please another causes us to offend God. Is this something we want to do? I know I don't. I want to take time right now to repent of any lie I may have said or anything I may have not said when I was supposed to. Forgive me Father.

Holy Spirit is faithful to dwell in us to convict us and speak to us in a way that bears witness in our own conscience. Paul understood the importance of being truthful, so much that it nearly cost him his own life on occasion where the truth offended those he was speaking to. He was merely being obedient and giving glory to God for it.

This is how we should long to be as and even more so. Who is the one who works to get us to lie, even just a little? Satan of course! He is the father of lies; "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

(John 8:44)

There is nothing that pleases the devil more then to trick us to line up with his way of doing things.

Sometimes we will lie just to make someone "feel better," but is that really what we are doing in the end? Will any type of small lie benefit a man's spirit? "But you forgers of lies, You are all worthless physicians."

(Job 13:4)

It didn't for Job. Let us be cautious with what we say even if we believe it is "for the best."

We are better off holding our tounge then speaking a complete lie. Just like Paul, we are called to be witnesses of the Truth. We represent the Lord Jesus Christ, who can never tell a lie. If we find ourselves struggling to represent and speak truth let us ask Holy Spirit for help in this situation. He is faithful to guide us, shape us and put a guard on our tounge. We are here to help save souls.

"A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies." (Proverbs 14:25)

Will we bring others to know Christ by distorting His word, holding truth back or not speaking at all when we have the opportunity to obey the Spirit? I do not believe we will. This is why the devil does all he can to convince us that what we are doing and saying is "harmless." He can sit back and laugh as the Body of Christ cowers in fear of offending others with God's word. Personally, I have learned to except that I am not living on earth to please anyone other then the Lord. I am not here to please my spouse, my child, my family or my church. I am here to bless them and if that means being rejected in the meantime for it, so be it my friends. Just like a mother will tell her child who slams their fists down while stating "you are so uncool!" The mother will respond, "I am not your friend, I am your mother." We are not here to impress, please or earn acceptance from our peers, this is a wordly view point. We are not here to conform to the world; "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

We are here to do the Lord's work, and sometimes that requires saying things we are instructed to say to bring light into a dark situation. We may be shunned for it, persecuted for it or lose people for it; but as long as we are serving God we have no need to be concerned how He will water those seeds. We must put all of our trust in the One who can never lie and the One who brings the harvest in His time. Truth is important my brothers and sisters, it is the reason we are alive and reading this. Jesus gets all the glory!

Prayer:

Abba Father, thank you for Your living word that speaks truth into my heart and soul. I wish to represent it the best way I possibly can, if I am not doing so please show me in what areas I need to align myself to Your words and get rid of the habit of distorting what I am to say to others. My desire is to bring them closer to You and for them to hear You speak through me. I can only do so if I refuse to lie. Keep me from the evil in which tempts me to hold back honesty, to distort truth or to please others. I serve You and You alone I yearn to please. Let the Kingdom rise up inside me and allow my discernment to increase so I may walk in Truth each day. Lord, I praise and honor Your faithfulness. Help me to put on Your mind as I represent all that You are, no matter if persecution arises for I know You say "blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake." I receive those blessings and a mighty protection today as I lean into Your word, the only Truth that is active and capable of saving souls. In the Name of our Truth, Jesus Christ. Amen.