Truth or a lie, which one are you Living?
We can only speak two things, either the truth or a lie. Of course the bible encourages us to always speak the truth. I Peter 1:15-16 says, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Ephesians 4:25 also states, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” Just like God’s words, our words carry power as well. Remember the Proverbs 18:21 which says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” which means we either speak death into our lives or we choose to speak life. Whether it is the truth or a lie, they both carry significant power, one for the good and the other for the bad, but don’t be mistaken they both are powerful. Let’s examine both the truth and a lie, and see why both of these terms are so powerful.
First, let’s examine a lie. What is a lie? There are many different definitions such as: a falsehood, an attempt to deceive, the untruth. Here’s another simple definition that you may not have thought of as a definition for the word “lie.” A lie is:
Letting
In
Evil
I bet you never thought of the word quite like that, but that’s exactly what it is and what it does. To better understand the effects and force behind a lie, we will back into the meaning.
St. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.”
Jesus is praying to the Father, and he says something very profound regarding the truth. Let look at some of the words of that statement. First, the word “sanctify” means to purify, to cleanse, to be free from the guilt of sin, to separate, and to consecrate. The simple definition of the word “truth,” is the opposite of a lie. Putting this all together, he is saying that the truth or better honesty will purify, separate, cleanse, consecrate, and free us from the guilt of sin. St. John 8:32 will confirm this, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Remember we are backing into this meaning so pay close attention.
According to St. John 8:32, if the truth will make you free, then a lie will put you into bondage and make you a slave to sin. Remember, a lie is the opposite of the truth. Also if the truth or honesty will purify, separate, cleanse, consecrate, and free you from the guilt on sin, then a lie will do just the opposite. A lie will contaminate, attach you to sin, soil, desecrate, and enslave you. Remember the phrase, “Thy word is truth” which is the second part of the verse in St. John 17:17? There is a philosophy technique where two phrases are put together to draw one conclusion, and here is an example of that.
Phrase one says “Sanctify them through thy truth,” and phrase two says “thy word is truth,” and here is the conclusion. Since “thy word” is the same as the “truth” you can substitute the two words for each other, which therefore means “Sanctify them through thy word,” and the common factor which makes all this possible is the “truth.”
Phrase one: Sanctify them through thy truth,
Phrase two: Thy word is truth
Conclusion: Sanctify them through thy word.
Common factor: Truth
God empowers the word of truth to purify, separate, cleanse, consecrate, and free us from the guilt of sin. A lie will do just the opposite.
Satan empowers the words of a lie to contaminate, attach you to sin, soil, desecrate, and enslave you. Are you starting to see the power of words? Death and life are in the power of our words because our words are being empowered by either good or evil. A lie is simply Letting In Evil. A lie opens up the floodgates to the souls, and if you are not careful a lie will lead to so much more. People have been imprisoned, beheaded, persecuted, and even killed all because a lie was told. A lie is a powerful set of words, which people use to let evil come in and take up residence in their lives. Here’s what Jesus said in St. Matthew 12:36-37, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
Now that we have discussed and defined what a lie really is, we are ready to examine the word “truth.” The word truth appears in the KJV bible 223 times. The attributes of God such as mercy, gracious, longsuffering, and abundance are all founded upon goodness and truth. God proclaimed it Himself as He passed by Moses in Exodus 34:5-6,
“And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” Since God’s attributes are founded on the truth, our attributes, attitudes, conversation, and our lives should also be founded upon the truth since we are made in His image. What is truth? Pilate asked Jesus this same question in St. John 18:38, “Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.”
The definition of the word “truth” is conformity to fact, or a statement proven to be or accepted as truth. Words synonymous with truth are fact, accuracy, reality, precision, and genuine. Truth is more than an accurate statement of words. Truth is a state of being that includes everything in our walk with the Lord. Here’s what God revealed to me what truth is:
True
Righteousness
Unto
The
Heart
God desires truth in our church.
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
I Timothy 3:15
God desires truth in our worship.
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” St. John 4:24
God desires truth in our service.
Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
I Samuel 12:24
God desires truth in our speech.
“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”
Psalms 51:6
“The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
Proverbs `12:19
God desires truth in our fellowship.
10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
Psalms 85:10:12
God’s truth is eternal.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalms 100:5
Here is the greatest benefit of walking and living in truth. According to the scriptures, being truthful and forgiving carries benefits. Truth and forgiveness brings with it four benefits; namely; favor with God, favor with men, good understanding with God, and good understanding with men. Proverbs 3:3-4 says, “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” Being honest, or better truthful, and having a forgiving spirit benefits us spiritually, physically, financially, and even emotionally. By simply being truthful with others and ourselves puts us in a position of favor with God and man. A little bit of honesty goes a long way with God. Favor with God, means being in God’s grace, His kindness, and His goodness. Isn’t that what David was referring to in the 23rd Psalms when he said, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
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