Lies or Truth?

 Psalm 119:161–168 (ESV): 

Sin and Shin

 161  Princes persecute me without cause, 

but my heart stands in awe of your words. 

 162  I rejoice at your word 

like one who finds great spoil. 

 163  I hate and abhor falsehood, 

but I love your law. 

 164  Seven times a day I praise you 

for your righteous rules. 

 165  Great peace have those who love your law; 

nothing can make them stumble. 

 166  I hope for your salvation, O Lord, 

and I do your commandments. 

 167  My soul keeps your testimonies; 

I love them exceedingly. 

 168  I keep your precepts and testimonies, 

for all my ways are before you. 

Do you ‘hate and abhor falsehood’? Or do you tell lies, big ones, small ones, ones to keep secrets or those that you think benefit others? 

All lying should be hated - no matter the purpose or the context, and God does mind if you lie.

The Word of God is truth, so lies are the opposite of God’s Word. If you are person of faith and profess that you love God, you need to be mindful of what you are saying and promising. Are you truly living in The Truth, or have you made up your own rules about acceptable lying? Some people lie with good intention; not to offend others, to protect, maybe to keep something a surprise. Yet lying is still lying and it is the opposite of truth. So, you need to consider whose side are you on; God’s or Satan’s? For Satan is the Prince of lies and when you enter into not telling the truth, you are entering into his domain - is that where you want to be?

Don’t let Satan have any power over you or in your life. Learn instead to abhor falsehood and love God’s Law (v163). It is not easy, and it can be painful to be honest at times. It certainly takes consideration to be loving and truthful at the same time, and sometimes it is best to say nothing. Honesty is beautiful, but needs to be used in humility to God and be wrapped in love. The promise for those who live a life honouring God and His Word is, ‘Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble’. Is this your story? When you live a life of honesty, loving God's Word and abhorring falsehood, you can enjoy peace. If you want to live a peaceful life, ensure that honesty is an important attribute in your life, and stand continually on The Word of God. 

Psalm 119:169–176 (ESV): 

Taw

 169  Let my cry come before you, O Lord; 

give me understanding according to your word! 

 170  Let my plea come before you; 

deliver me according to your word. 

 171  My lips will pour forth praise, 

for you teach me your statutes. 

 172  My tongue will sing of your word, 

for all your commandments are right. 

 173  Let your hand be ready to help me, 

for I have chosen your precepts. 

 174  I long for your salvation, O Lord, 

and your law is my delight. 

 175  Let my soul live and praise you, 

and let your rules help me. 

 176  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, 

for I do not forget your commandments. 

Do not try to understand the concepts of society, or the way of the world - don’t waste your time on that. They are fickle and change, lying abounds and different views and perspectives exist. You will never get a clear understanding as they are complex. Instead, ask God, 'give me understanding according to your word!'. This will help you live life.If you want some understanding, go to God. Read Scripture, ask Him and allow your understanding of life be formed by the author of life. 

Whatever you are concerned about, whether it is that your circumstances are confusing or painful, the society you are in blind, the changing of laws nonsensical or concerning, the lives of others lost or gone astray, go to God’s Word. It is only through seeking and listening to God's voice of truth that anything makes sense. Do not concern yourself with understanding the World - the world doesn't make sense, it is lost and confused in it's denial of good and of God, so why seek to understand that anyway? Instead make God's Law your delight, allow His rules to help you and remember that all of God's commandments are right (v172 - 175).

God’s words bring salvation, they can bring joy, hope, truth and help. Therefore take delight in them and do not allow the confusion of life overtake your mind. Hold onto Bible verses, remember truth, and the cares of this world will find their rightful position in subjection to Him. 

the prayer of the innocent

 Psalm 17:1–15 (ESV): 

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! 

Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! 

2  From your presence let my vindication come! 

Let your eyes behold the right! 

3  You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, 

you have tested me, and you will find nothing; 

I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. 

4  With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips 

I have avoided the ways of the violent. 

5  My steps have held fast to your paths; 

my feet have not slipped. 

6  I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; 

incline your ear to me; hear my words. 

7  Wondrously show your steadfast love, 

O Saviour of those who seek refuge 

from their adversaries at your right hand. 

8  Keep me as the apple of your eye; 

hide me in the shadow of your wings, 

9  from the wicked who do me violence, 

my deadly enemies who surround me. 

10  They close their hearts to pity; 

with their mouths they speak arrogantly. 

11  They have now surrounded our steps; 

they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. 

12  He is like a lion eager to tear, 

as a young lion lurking in ambush. 

13  Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! 

Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, 

14  from men by your hand, O Lord, 

from men of the world whose portion is in this life. 

You fill their womb with treasure; 

they are satisfied with children, 

and they leave their abundance to their infants. 

15  As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; 

when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. 

David proclaims innocence - he does his best to honour God not just in the way he speaks to Him, but through how he lives his life. David considers his words and actions as he goes about his ordinary day, thinking about how he speaks to and treats others, the decisions he makes and how that reflects the faith he has. He considers God as he goes about his ordinary, day-to-day business, do you? David also takes time to evaluate his responses, he is great at self-reflection being honest about his mistakes and his innocence in situations. It is difficult to be so honest even with ourselves at times, yet David seems to have been good at evaluating his actions and motives and considering how they demonstrate his love for God. It is from this position of openness and self-reflection that David has incredible conversations and relationship with God. 

David is conscious of God’s presence always and determines to do his best to keep in line with God’s will. He knows that he can approach God as one who is living in God’s favour. Not because he was perfect, but because he was open and honest with God. He has built a relationship of trust with Him and enjoys the relationship he has with God, so he is mindful of it everyday and everywhere. This has therefore impacted how David lives his life. He is different to those, 'lurking' trying to capture and hurt him, and those who are in live with Earthly treasures. Instead of being bound up with life in this world, David has decided to live his life with God, therefore this life and it's stuff is not as attractive for David, but a relationship with God is to be valued, sought and lived for. Therefore he does his best to live right for God. Not for himself or others, but because he knows being in right relationship with God is the best position to be. No matter what else comes his way; whether riches, poverty, illness, friends or foes, David knows that if he lives following God's path he can seek God for wisdom, guidance and help. Are you living right before God? Can you expect God to assist you because you are doing your best to live the way He wants you to live?

Before you ask God for anything, examine your heart, your motives and your actions. Then, once you have assessed your right to ask God, you will know whether you need to come to him in repentance or in supplication. If you want and expect God to show up, to transform situations in your life, you need to fairly assess yourself. As David did, consider if you are living in innocence before God and man, have you guarded your words and your actions? If there is any wrong in you, ask God to point it out. David was clearly in distress as he wrote this psalm, but he knew he could petition God as he was convinced and assured of his innocence, are you? Will you listen when God visits you in the night, tries your heart and tests you? 

If you want to know God's powerful love and breakthrough in your life, you need to make sure that you are living conscious of His presence in every area of your life. That you are aligning your life with His will, not your own or anyone elses. Determine to live in innocence before God then, when you need His help you can have confidence that God will act as you say along with David, 'My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. 6  I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God'.

Are you the kind of person God wants to spend time with?

Psalm 15:1–5 (ESV):  

1  O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? 

Who shall dwell on your holy hill? 

2  He who walks blamelessly and does what is right 

and speaks truth in his heart; 

3  who does not slander with his tongue 

and does no evil to his neighbour, 

nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 

4  in whose eyes a vile person is despised, 

but who honours those who fear the Lord; 

who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 

5  who does not put out his money at interest 

and does not take a bribe against the innocent. 

He who does these things shall never be moved. 

This psalm shows us the type of person God wishes to spend time with. There are specific characteristics that God is looking for in those he invites into His tent. These attributes demonstrate the character and integrity of a person and the morals that they live by. 

So, who does God want being involved in His life - what kind of person does He invite into His town and even His tent?

From this psalm we can see that God values and desires to have time with those who;

• Do the right thing. Both openly and in secret. (V2)
• Are honest. Even about how they are really feeling. They say what they mean and mean what they say (v2)
• Do not speak badly of others - no gossip, accusing, or going along with what everyone else says (even if you think it is true) (v3)
• Do not cause harm to others, or do/say things that will only benefit themselves but not anyone else. (v3)
• Respects and honours his friends even when he disagrees with them and their actions. Someone who does not express criticism, disapproval or disappointment in those they care about with other people. (v3)
• Is mindful of whom they admire. (v4) Someone who does not extol or promote a person who does not follow God. Who in fact hates the evil within them, no matter what they have achieved. Yet always speaks well of and honours those who follow God. Even when they go awry or do not seem impressive. (v4)
• Admit it when they are in pain - whether that's emotional, mental or physical, and still keep following God. They remember who they are and who they belong to and so do not allow disappointment or discomfort change their behaviour. These people are genuine. No matter what life throws at them they keep going in faith with no pretence. (v4)
• Do not make a profit out of people less fortunate than themselves.
• Accepts no bribery.

Are you this kind of person? Do you have the characteristics of someone God wants to spend time with?

Overall, it seems that God is looking for genuine people. Not perfect ones. This psalm, interestingly, does not say anything about being free from sin, it is all about how you treat others and how honest you are with them (and yourself). Although, a perfect God cannot tolerate sin and anyone who would want this invite into God's presence would be aware and conscious of that. That is why Jesus lived and died - to mend the brokenness and clean the sin that gets in the way of us having a relationship with God. This psalm is written for those who accept God's forgiveness and want to get closer to God. The purpose then of this psalm is to show those who wish to be more intimate with God what He is looking for. 

God is looking for; genuine, honest, open, kind people of integrity. When He looks at you, what will he find? Are you living as someone God wants to spend time with? 

What do you use your words for?

 Psalm 12:1–8 (ESV): 

1  Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. 

2  Everyone utters lies to his neighbour; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 

3  May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, 

4  those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us"

5  “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” 

6  The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. 

7  You, O Lord, will keep them; 

you will guard us from this generation forever. 

8  On every side the wicked prowl, 

as vileness is exalted among the children of man. 

What do you use your words for? 

Here the psalmist tells us, ‘everyone utters lies’, people have, ‘flattering lips’ and ‘a double heart’. Does this in any way describe you? No-one would like to categorise themselves like this, but if you are honest with yourself; do you lie, use flattery or say things you do not mean? Even if you think it is not important and maybe you only do these things in certain situations or with certain people this is still not what is considered, ‘godly’ or ‘faithful’ behaviour. 

Can you sense the author's frustration with people who behave in this way? David, who wrote this psalm, feels surrounded by people who do not display integrity in how they communicate, and he hates it. He states, ‘the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished’. When you are amongst people who lie, boast, flatter and say what they don't mean it is difficult to trust them. It is hard to make friends or get things done when those around you are not genuine. Hence David's frustration. Those who speak the truth and do not try to ingratiate themselves or elevate themselves through their communications are hard to find, but invaluable. You can trust people that are genuine, you can build with them as they will do what they say and say what they do, no more no less. Are you someone like that? and do you endeavour to invite people into your life who are like that? Or would you rather surround yourself with people who say whatever they think you want to hear rather than the truth? Sometimes the truth is hard to hear and so it is easier to have those that will just agree with you, but it won's ultimately do you any good and you could well end up feeling like David does and ask yourself "where have all the good people gone?"!

Do you appreciate and take guidance from people that you know are real, natural, honest and fair?Are you someone like that - speaking the truth without embellishment, flattery or hypocrisy? When you communicate with others do you realise that you demonstrate something of who you are and who God is to you? The Bible tells us the mouth is the overflow of the heart - so what do you display as you speak?

The Bible has lots of warnings and advice about how we communicate, in fact it is quite clear that there is an inherent problem with how we use speech. We are told that the tongue is easily used but difficult to tame. Therefore lies, flattery and contradictory words can spill out causing wickedness and harm. The Bible is full of instruction about how you and I speak, not just in this psalm. Do you take notice of it? 

The way you use words is important. Words have power. This is implied in verse 4 and the writer of Proverbs agrees, ‘The tongue has the power of life and death.’ (18:21). So what are you doing with the powerful instrument you have in your body? In Psalm 12 the words that are spoken are for selfish gain - lies, flattery and hypocrisy used to gain; influence, power, strength and opportunity. What are you using the power that you have within you to achieve? Are your words bringing life or death, and what do you want them to do? 

You have responsibility in what you say, and also the way in which you receive the words spoken to you. Times have not really changed since this psalm was written. People are still lying, unfaithful, hypocritical, boastful and flattering. There are some who are not - look out for them and get to know them. It is hard to know who to follow and who to trust. Yet there is One that you can always depend on, whose words, 'are pure words’. The words of God are the words you can always, absolutely, 100% trust. God will speak truth and life to you and over you - are you listening to Him? Do you allow God's words to influence your life and do you allow God to influence the way you speak? God knows words have power - He made the universe with them! Since creation God has given mankind some of His influence and power - what are you doing with it? 

God wants to help you to be a faithful steward, and this includes being godly and faithful in how you speak. Do you take notice of what God is trying to teach you? Are you aware of the power of your words? Your words can bring life and can destroy, they can build up and tear down - what are you using your words for?

Yes and No

If you are a determined disciple of Jesus, then the letter of James is helpful as it is very clear about how you should be living and speaking. In the verse we are considering today James continues his guidance on how you should speak;

my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. 

James 5:12 (ESV)

When James writes, ‘do not swear, either by heaven or earth', he is not referring to what we, today, usually consider ‘swearing’ - saying offensive words - I think James would take for granted that we should not be saying those types of things. Instead James here is teaching us about the integrity of our speech. 

James is instructing you to simply mean what you say. No more, no less. Do not confound people with language or give mixed messages, just be honest when you communicate. Make an effort to clearly get your message across and consider what you are agreeing to and what you are not. Do not give emotive in the moment responses, but be realistic about you can and will do. In so doing people will recognise that you are being honest in your communication and will learn to trust you. 

If you boast, show off, exaggerate or underplay things people will realise and will not be able to put much weight onto what you say because they are not sure how true it is. The same is true if you make promises or agreements to do something, and then fail to do it. Maybe you forget, get too busy, have no intention of doing something even though it seemed a good idea at the time, or what you said seemed to be what the person wanted to hear. Regardless of the reason, when you agree to do something you let people down when you don't do it. Then they will be less likely to rely and depend upon you in the future because they will feel that they cannot trust your words. If you know you are someone who lets people down by not measuring up to your words, James is instructing you to consider what you are saying yes and no to. 

It is important for you to realise that how you communicate can form people’s ideas of your character. People can discover if you are a person of integrity or not by how you communicate and what you are saying yes and no to. I wonder how you come across. What are you communicating about who you are in how you speak? 

When you carefully consider your ‘yes’ and ‘no’ you demonstrate trustworthiness and integrity. Don’t flit about, changing your mind all the time, or let people down because you have good intentions but poor organisation. If you know that’s you today, then do something about it. Learn to carefully consider your responses and be realistic about your capacity, availability, and your understanding. Get a diary if you need to, set a reminder, remember the busy-ness of your everyday life. Then you will be able to encourage and support others simply by honestly responding ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to what you can and will do. As a result you will grow in trustworthiness and integrity. 

It is a simple concept, just saying ‘yes’ and ‘no’, it is simple. Imagine if you were able to be open and honest in your communication, no bragging, exaggeration, emotive agreements, considering what you can commit to. Wouldn't that make life a bit easier? You wouldn't have to clarify or check up on things, you won't need to apologise for forgetting again, or not doing something again. How would that be for you and for the others you are in relationship with? Many people struggle with saying 'no' to things, but isn't it better to do that at first rather than letting people down?

It is important to consider your words because others’ will judge your character based on their experience of communication with you. If you profess to be someone who loves Jesus and follows God, what are you showing them about Him in how you communicate?