29/08/2020

Psalm 5 and 12
No liar will inherit the kingdom

The book of Psalms addresses all the feelings one could experience, challenges we might face and also offers guidance for serving the Lord. Let’s spend some time and discuss these over the next few days or weeks, depending on how the Lord leads us.”

“May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks great things; who have said, ‘with our tongue we will prevail.’ Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?” (Ps 12 v 3 – 4)

How serious do we take lying? Is a “white lie” acceptable or the start of a greater problem? well, here’s what the Lord says about liars and He seems very clear about it, without distinction;

“……and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Rev 21 v 8) [ESV]

There are many things that we do not have control over, such as the rising living costs, decisions others make, e.g. governments bringing the world to a standstill and as a result, causing people to lose their jobs, people spreading rumours (aka lies) about you, etc.

There are a few things you can control and one of these is (always) telling the truth. Do not be deceived in thinking that a few lies here and there, that seemingly doesn’t hurt anyone is acceptable in the sight of the Lord. If people tell lies about you, that is between them and God and they have to explain one day, so let’s look at ourselves for a moment…

If you tell lies that don’t seem to affect anyone directly, according to your indicators, you are fooling yourself. Benjamin Franklin, apparently said “half a truth is often a great lie“, and that is the point. You can also argue that not revealing all the details does not constitute a lie.

I believe that the only way to be [fully] honest is to be transparent, and one can only be transparent if you are honest with yourself first and then as a result be honest with God and others. You have often heard the saying, “honesty is the best policy“, but what does this really mean? The problem with telling lies, is that you always have to back up one lie with another, shortly after and not before long you have to start keeping notes of what you told to whom.

Is this really how you want to live? A life based upon lies is an empty life, taking you down a path of self-destruction and will soon cause you to start living a double life, speaking with a double heart (Ps 12 v 2). If you struggle with telling the truth, my prayer is that the Lord will lead you in righteousness and make His way straight so that you will walk in His favour, blessed and safe (Ps 5 v 8 12).

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation“