The Problem

Proverbs 12:22

God’s standard for your life is not as easy as avoiding the “major sins.” You will never secure a relationship with God by simply living a good life. His ninth commandment alone is sufficient to keep all of humanity forever separated from Him. If you have ever told a lie, you have fallen short of God’s standard of holiness (Romans 3:23). Having this knowledge, it is amazing that we, as Christians, would continue to lie. Furthermore, we don’t only lie, but we dismiss it as if it was not a sin at all. Why do we approach a sin that is worthy of sending us eternally to Hell with so little thought, confession, and repentance? Our eternal security with God does not exclude us from the temporal consequences of our sins. We should not assume that God takes lying more lightly because we accepted His Son’s death as righteousness counted towards us. Thank goodness we can look to the second part of this verse “those who act faithfully are His delight.”

1. In what ways have you minimized lying in the craziness of everyday life? Do you really see commandment #9 as important as the rest?

2. How have you experienced consequences due to someone lying to you or about you? How have your lies caused difficulty for others around you?

Challenge: Commit to being a delight before the Lord today. Ask Him to convict your of your sinful thoughts before they manifest themselves in the form of lying lips.