The Real Reason To Tell The Truth
by Pastor Andrew Wolfenbarger
10/27/2023
Romans 13:5-6 - “A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.”
The book of Proverbs is filled with wisdom. It is like a jewelry store. There is treasure upon treasure. It really depends on how much you're willing to pay for it. Many think wisdom comes at no price, but the Bible says it does cost.
Proverbs 23:23 - “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”
The Bible also says that it's worth every penny you'll pay for it.
Proverbs 8:11 - “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”
So, with that as the foundation, when we read a simple verse like our key verses today, how do we interpret and apply this golden nugget of wisdom?
Verse 5 - "A righteous man hateth lying"
A man does not become righteous by not lying. He becomes righteous by faith in Jesus Christ, and then his faith produces right deeds. The righteous man hates lying both when he is the perpetrator and the victim because both have terrible consequences. Lies are the byproduct of the Devil's influence upon us. He is the father of all lies. Sometimes I ask my children when they treat their siblings cruelly, "Do you see Daddy treat mommy that way?". I'm essentially saying, "I don't know where you learned that behavior, but it certainly wasn't produced by following my example." When we lie, it is not a behavior we learned from our Heavenly Father. He cannot lie, and His Word is truth. We identify with the evil influences within us and around us. So, a righteous man hates lying because it is not a righteous behavior.
Verse 6 - "Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way"
Not all verses in Proverbs connect. The author does not attempt to make one continual cohesive thought in his chapters. Rather, there are many thoughts compiled into one book. These verses do seem to connect, though. Because one of the benefits of rejecting any desire we have to tell a lie is that by telling the truth, our story will be easily remembered. You will never have to remember how much you exaggerated or embellished the last time you told that story. The truth has a preserving quality to it because it ensures perpetual honesty.
Now, remember I said wisdom costs? That is most certainly the case when it comes to telling the truth. When you decide to tell the truth in all situations, you will undoubtedly encounter a time when it would be advantageous to lie. For example, if the police officer stops you and says, "Do you know how fast you were going?" or "Were you wearing a seat belt when I passed you?". You can see how little white lies may be cheaper, but God says otherwise. Wisdom is knowing how to apply God's Word into everyday life.
Therefore, the next situation you are put into that a lie would be beneficial for you, decide now, and ask for God's grace so that you may pay the price for wisdom, knowing it will be a better long-term investment for you.
10/27/2023
Romans 13:5-6 - “A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.”
The book of Proverbs is filled with wisdom. It is like a jewelry store. There is treasure upon treasure. It really depends on how much you're willing to pay for it. Many think wisdom comes at no price, but the Bible says it does cost.
Proverbs 23:23 - “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”
The Bible also says that it's worth every penny you'll pay for it.
Proverbs 8:11 - “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”
So, with that as the foundation, when we read a simple verse like our key verses today, how do we interpret and apply this golden nugget of wisdom?
Verse 5 - "A righteous man hateth lying"
A man does not become righteous by not lying. He becomes righteous by faith in Jesus Christ, and then his faith produces right deeds. The righteous man hates lying both when he is the perpetrator and the victim because both have terrible consequences. Lies are the byproduct of the Devil's influence upon us. He is the father of all lies. Sometimes I ask my children when they treat their siblings cruelly, "Do you see Daddy treat mommy that way?". I'm essentially saying, "I don't know where you learned that behavior, but it certainly wasn't produced by following my example." When we lie, it is not a behavior we learned from our Heavenly Father. He cannot lie, and His Word is truth. We identify with the evil influences within us and around us. So, a righteous man hates lying because it is not a righteous behavior.
Verse 6 - "Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way"
Not all verses in Proverbs connect. The author does not attempt to make one continual cohesive thought in his chapters. Rather, there are many thoughts compiled into one book. These verses do seem to connect, though. Because one of the benefits of rejecting any desire we have to tell a lie is that by telling the truth, our story will be easily remembered. You will never have to remember how much you exaggerated or embellished the last time you told that story. The truth has a preserving quality to it because it ensures perpetual honesty.
Now, remember I said wisdom costs? That is most certainly the case when it comes to telling the truth. When you decide to tell the truth in all situations, you will undoubtedly encounter a time when it would be advantageous to lie. For example, if the police officer stops you and says, "Do you know how fast you were going?" or "Were you wearing a seat belt when I passed you?". You can see how little white lies may be cheaper, but God says otherwise. Wisdom is knowing how to apply God's Word into everyday life.
Therefore, the next situation you are put into that a lie would be beneficial for you, decide now, and ask for God's grace so that you may pay the price for wisdom, knowing it will be a better long-term investment for you.
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