For the next couple of days, we will look at Psalm 34:12 – Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good? The watch your tongue! Keep your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.
Today we will look at keeping our lips from telling lies.
Lies: Have you ever told a lie? Most of us have, and usually, it is to get ourselves out of some kind of trouble “No, officer, I wasn’t aware the speed limit was 25 mph” or “No, sweet husband, this dress is not new.”
And then we try to justify it in our mind. “Well, I was only going 5 mph so what’s the big deal? That’s almost 25 mph” Or “It’s not new. I got this last week so it's not brand new.” But we must be careful as lies destroy the foundation of relationships.
And we know that Satan is the father of lies. Lies are the language spoken in his kingdom, so we don't want to speak that language.
Truthfulness: Since Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6) and we follow Him, we must be people of truth to have a life that is long and good. The most important truths are God’s truth and saying what God says about any given subject. So, if we are going to speak truth in our world, we first must know what God says, and then with God's love say exactly what God says.
“Truth is that by which the heart must be guided and governed, for without truth there is no goodness; We must be willing to part with anything for it”. Matthew Henry
Proverbs 23:23 Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.
John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Proverbs 3:3 Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart.
1 Peter 3:10-12(NLT) For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it."
Day 18 Challenge – Speak the truth today. Even if it is difficult.