By Steve Greene
Lying could be defined as any attempt to deny or misrepresent the truth.
Lying represents a deliberate intent to convey false information or give a false impression.
What do you think God thinks about lying? We don’t have to speculate. Proverbs 12:22 tells us exactly how God feels about lying: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.” Make no mistake about it, God hates it when we lie.
Here is what Paul says in Ephesians 4:21-24: “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy.”
Truth telling should provide a clear distinction between believers and the world. In fact, Paul told the Ephesians to leave behind the old life of sin since they were now followers of Christ. Things should look different when a person comes to Christ. The holy spirit comes to dwell with us.
The spirit of God begins to change the way we think, the way we act and the way we live right down to the words we speak. We don’t automatically think all good thoughts or possess a perfect attitude when we invite Jesus into our lives, but the process of transformation has begun.
God’s goal is to refine in us the image of his son, Jesus. In 1 Peter 1:16, God said, “Be holy because I am holy.” To be holy is to be like Jesus. God’s goal for us is to be like Jesus.
We can’t do this by ourselves. We need God’s help. And the good news is that he is ready to help us. As we are open to the promptings of God through the holy spirit, he begins changing us and shaping us more and more into the image of Jesus.
That’s what’s happening when we tell a lie and feel bad about it. The spirit of God is convicting us as he is making us more like Jesus. That’s why we must develop a sensitivity to what is often referred to as the still small voice of God.
Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” That is what I intend to do. I hope you do, too.
Steve Greene is the lead pastor of The Point in Seymour. Read his blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or email him at [email protected]. Send comments to [email protected].