Pastor's Ponderings, January 8, 2018

Let Us Speak The Truth

In the January 8, 2018 issue of New York Times, Alex Stone wrote an article entitled, “Is Your Child Lying to You? That’s Good” The article specified that, in an experiment, lying children were smarter than the truth tellers.  The article further indicated, “Other research has shown that the children who lie have better “executive functioning skills” (an array of faculties that enable us to control our impulses and remain focused on a task) as well as a heightened ability to see the world through other people’s eyes, a crucial indicator of cognitive development known as “theory of mind.” 

This research sheds some light on what brings success in this worldly system. The Bible agrees that the people in the worldly system are shrewder than the people of the light (Luke 16:8).  But the Bible also says all liars have an appointment with the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8).  In another scripture the Bible said there is no profit if one shrewdly gains the whole world, but loses his own soul (Mark 8:36).  Jesus went further and said liars are like their own father, the devil, who lies as a matter of course (John 8:44).

God honors the truth tellers who will tell the truth from their heart even if it hurts them (Psalm 15:1, 2, 4).  He even says that when we speak the truth in love, we will grow up to be like Him who is the Head of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:15).  Only the truth will make us free (John 8:32). Even though some may say that the truth is out of style and that facts do not matter, let us be like Christ and speak the truth in every situation.

Luke 16:8
New International Version (NIV)

8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.

Revelation 21:8

New International Version (NIV)

8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Mark 8:36
New International Version (NIV)

36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

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 15:1, 2, 4
New International Version (NIV)

1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?

2 The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;

4 who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord;

who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;

Ephesians 4:15
New International Version (NIV)

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.

John 8:32
New International Version (NIV)

32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”