Pastor's Pondering, September 26, 2016

Tell The Truth

The ThinkProgress publication had an article in the May 11, 2011 issue, which quoted the politician, Newt Gingrich who said, “So let me say on the record, any ad which quotes what I said on Sunday is a falsehood.”  In the Washington Post September 24, 2016 edition, Brandon W. Lenoir, a High Point University professor of political communications said that some voters are undeterred when their candidate lies. “When new information comes in, if it is consistent with your world view or your opinion of that particular candidate, you let it in; if it is inconsistent, you block it out.”

While many will support and enthusiastically applaud blatant dishonesty from potential leaders, the Bible says that God detests lying (Proverbs 6:16, 17, 19).  Further, God identifies people who tell untruths with the source of lies, the devil (John 8:44).  He says, moreover, they will not be in His house or even stand in His presence if they practice deceit (Psalm 101:7).

In this political season where fact checkers are needed to verify the veracity of every statement of our potential leaders, the Lord God would rather we take a different route.  He wants us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:14-15). Sometimes telling a lie may be the easiest choice, may seemingly protect someone’s feelings, or make us feel better. This week let us remember that the truth is what God wants to hear from us and He wants us to be just like him.

Proverbs 6:16, 17, 19

New International Version (NIV)

16 There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:

17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community

John 8:44

New International Version (NIV)

44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Psalm 101:7

New International Version (NIV)

7 No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.

Ephesians 4:14-15

New International Version (NIV)

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.