Word@Work Col31 - Colossians 3:9-10
Published: Tue, 07/05/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
STOP LYING
Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (NIV)
Truth is an essential part of God's character. Jesus Christ described Himself as 'the Truth' (John 14:6). But falsehood is an essential part of the devil's character; and lying is his native language (John 8:44-45). Therefore everybody who belongs to Jesus has an obligation to stop lying and speak the truth. Continuing to lie, after we are saved, is a terrible insult to our Creator: it shows that we care more about how we can elevate ourselves and manipulate our own circumstances, than desire His glory and trust in His sovereign power.
Lying is addictive and easily becomes a habit, or even a way of living! It puts its roots deep into our desires and thoughts, to corrupt our communication at every level. But when we submit to Jesus, He puts truth into our hearts, disturbing the roots of falsehood. As we get to know Him better we realise that lies cannot remain in His presence and that our spiritual lives will shrivel unless we embrace and express truth. Any lies play into the devil's hand.
Lying must stop! Although the Holy Spirit makes us unsettled about lying, our sinful nature will want to retain the right to control our destiny using lies. Radical surgery is needed to remove it, and repeated until the habit is broken. First we must agree with God's Word that lies are bad. We must repent of thinking that little lies, white lies, and 'helpful' lies are all right: in fact they contribute to Satan's destructive work. Then we need to keep checking what comes out of our mouths, asking the question, "Was that completely true?" If it was not, then repent. If it was, then give thanks that God is working His truth into you. Pray that you will value truth, even in a culture where lying seems to be endemic. Be true at home, at work and in the church. Truth will always ultimately win and lies will ultimately fail, so stop thinking about gaining short term advantages. Speak truth: it will be validated in the long term and demonstrate that you belong to Jesus.
Prayer: Holy Lord. Thank You that You never change or deviate from what is true. Thank You that Your judgement will therefore always be just and Your Word will never fail. I am sorry for believing lies and allowing myself to be deceived away from Your path; and I am sorry for telling lies which have misled others, injuring my own soul and spoiling Your glory. Please forgive me and help me to change. Give me a fresh view of Your awesome creative power and Your ability to recreate a clean heart in me. Give me the determination to eliminate lies, so that You will be glorified through all I say. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Truth is an essential part of God's character. Jesus Christ described Himself as 'the Truth' (John 14:6). But falsehood is an essential part of the devil's character; and lying is his native language (John 8:44-45). Therefore everybody who belongs to Jesus has an obligation to stop lying and speak the truth. Continuing to lie, after we are saved, is a terrible insult to our Creator: it shows that we care more about how we can elevate ourselves and manipulate our own circumstances, than desire His glory and trust in His sovereign power.
Lying is addictive and easily becomes a habit, or even a way of living! It puts its roots deep into our desires and thoughts, to corrupt our communication at every level. But when we submit to Jesus, He puts truth into our hearts, disturbing the roots of falsehood. As we get to know Him better we realise that lies cannot remain in His presence and that our spiritual lives will shrivel unless we embrace and express truth. Any lies play into the devil's hand.
Lying must stop! Although the Holy Spirit makes us unsettled about lying, our sinful nature will want to retain the right to control our destiny using lies. Radical surgery is needed to remove it, and repeated until the habit is broken. First we must agree with God's Word that lies are bad. We must repent of thinking that little lies, white lies, and 'helpful' lies are all right: in fact they contribute to Satan's destructive work. Then we need to keep checking what comes out of our mouths, asking the question, "Was that completely true?" If it was not, then repent. If it was, then give thanks that God is working His truth into you. Pray that you will value truth, even in a culture where lying seems to be endemic. Be true at home, at work and in the church. Truth will always ultimately win and lies will ultimately fail, so stop thinking about gaining short term advantages. Speak truth: it will be validated in the long term and demonstrate that you belong to Jesus.
Prayer: Holy Lord. Thank You that You never change or deviate from what is true. Thank You that Your judgement will therefore always be just and Your Word will never fail. I am sorry for believing lies and allowing myself to be deceived away from Your path; and I am sorry for telling lies which have misled others, injuring my own soul and spoiling Your glory. Please forgive me and help me to change. Give me a fresh view of Your awesome creative power and Your ability to recreate a clean heart in me. Give me the determination to eliminate lies, so that You will be glorified through all I say. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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