In my Sunday School class last weekend, I learned something that has changed my perspective on things. For those of you who were in that class Sunday, this will be repetitive, but I thought I should put it out here since it has really impacted the way I want to live out each day.
The class was on “Honesty”. My first thoughts were that this topic was just going to be Christian fluff and not that interesting……another virtue that we need to keep, yada, yada...but, it turned out to be a transforming idea. Simple, but life-altering if you let it sink in.
Christ has called us to be honest – to speak truth.
Ephesians 4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Proverbs 12:22
The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.God’s word is the truth.
John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Proverbs 8:7
My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.If we are to be honest and speak truth, everything that we say should line up with God's Word. Here are some examples of things that we may say that are lies:
Lie:
"I can't do this."Truth: (
Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." )
Lies:
"This is going to be a terrible day." or
"This has been a day from hell."Truth: (
Psalm 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.)
I don't know about everyone else, but these are things that I say and hear a lot. And they are not true!
God created the heavens and the earth through spoken word. What He spoke, came into existence. The words we speak are also very powerful. The words we speak, create our future. When we say things that are not true, we create for ourselves a future and an environment that is not what God wants for us. He wants something better for us. And, we not only speak this into our own lives, but into the lives of others who hear what we say and believe it. We need to chose our words carefully and make sure that they line up with the truth - God's Word.
I know that this is something I need to work on. It can be easy for me to develop a bad attitude, IF I don't read my Bible daily and keep the Truth in my heart. And I want to be able to speak truth to others who don't know it at all. Why, when I KNOW the truth, do I live as if I don't? I've got to stop that. I know better. I am priveleged to have access to the Father, whenever I need Him. And, I can know His will for my life, simply by reading His Word.
Maybe I'm the only one who needed to hear this....haha. I just hope you all know that where you are right now, is a good place. Because, no matter where you are (even if you have strayed from the path), God has good plans for you.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. And, if you feel like God has forgotten you, He hasn't.
Luke 12:6,7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. God wants good things for us! Let's grab a hold of that truth and LIVE.
