Seeds Of Hope Daily Devotional: lying

Showing posts with label lying. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Tell The Truth

TELL THE TRUTH

It was a crowded Sunday morning worship service when the pastor reminded his congregation of the church prayer meeting. Unfortunately, only two members came: the pastor and the three-hundred pound church janitor.

The next Sunday the pastor informed his flock that there was a “large and enthusiastic crowd” at prayer meeting.

The janitor became upset and accused the pastor of lying.

“But,” protested the pastor, “I did not lie. You’re large and I’m enthusiastic.”

There are times when we twist the truth to make ourselves or others look good or bad. Sometimes we offer a lie as an asset but it always proves to be a liability. There are times when we stretch the truth but it will always snap back and hurt us.

One translation of the Bible put it this way: “Stop lying to each other; tell the truth…when we lie to each other we are only hurting ourselves.”

Prayer: Father, often we are tempted to explain away our short comings or exaggerate the faults of others. Help us to realize that You expect truth and honesty from us and that You will hold us responsible for every word we speak: in Thy Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:25 (TLB) Stop lying to each other; tell the truth, for we are parts of each other and when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves.

Monday, November 2, 2015

How To Stop Truth Decay

The defendant was being sworn in before he was to testify. After placing his hand on the Bible he was asked, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?”

“I do,” he answered.

“Now,” asked the judge, “what do you have to say in your defense?”

“Your Honor,” he replied, “with the restrictions you’ve placed on me, I can’t say anything!”

Lying is as old as recorded history. It was Satan who told the first lie in the Garden of Eden when he said to Eve, “You won’t die.” In one brief sentence he was able to bring into question all of the promises and privileges that God offered Adam and Eve. Ever since that day telling lies to deceive and destroy others, has been a common practice.

Paul has some strong advice for Christians, however. He says, “So, stop telling lies!” Because the Holy Spirit has given us a new nature, we are to behave in new ways. One of them is to speak the truth, at all times, in love.

God has blessed us with the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And if the Lord controls us, He will control what we say. He knows our hearts and we know His truth. Whenever we speak the truth filled with His love, it can become a beautiful thing to those around us.

Prayer: Give us courage, Father, to surrender our minds and our mouths to You and always speak honestly and honorably. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

Monday, October 20, 2014

Does God Have An Attitude?

“Attitude” is an interesting word. And it has different meanings to different people. There are times when it can refer to “good” and times when it can refer to “bad.” Normally, an attitude refers to a position that someone has about something or even someone else. But, is it fair to say that our God, who is compassionate and caring, has an attitude?

“There are six things the Lord hates; seven are an abomination to Him.” Well, if we learn what those sins are, is that all we have to worry about? Not really. These sins are not intended to be an exhaustive list. We all make lists that we can add to or remove from - even God. But these sins are very serious to God and build on the list He began earlier. Here, however, he reinforces the Lord’s attitude toward such sins. Read the list very carefully and discover sins that God has an “attitude” toward:

1. Haughty eyes: A proud, condescending glare that comes from a heart full of arrogance and deceit.
2. A lying tongue: God only honors truth and purity.
3. Hands that shed innocent blood: Any person unjustly killed, certainly includes the unborn child.
4. Hearts that “devise” wicked schemes: Using scams to hide the truth from simple and trusting folk.
5. Feet that rush to evil: Feet follow the plans of the heart and engage the soul in sin.
6. A false witness: Lies are as natural as breathing.
7. Strife-spreaders: “Trouble-makers” will be destroyed.

Prayer: Lord, if we took Your Words as seriously as You do, what beautiful lives we would live! We need You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 6:16 There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:

Thursday, May 28, 2009

eSeed: The Naked Truth

Read Colossians 3:9

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the phrase, “the naked truth?”

It’s because of an old fable. The mythical character Falsehood, who embodied the essence of all lies, so it says, stole the character Truth’s clothes. Truth, unwilling to dress in Falsehood’s garments, chose to go naked. Thereafter the character of Truth, when portrayed in classical paintings and other art, was unclothed.

Dare to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. No one needs Falsehood’s gift of gab or garb.

There’s a lie of speech. It’s easy to make up a story when making an excuse for not doing, or for not having done, something.

There’s a lie of silence. Some furnish approval of sin or fail to apprise of sin by silence.

But the Bible says, “Lie not.”

Prayer: Father, take from my life all dishonest and dishonorable things, take from my mind all untrue and ugly thoughts, take from my lips all deceitful and damaging words: through Christ, our Lord. Amen.