Most people agree in principle that lying is wrong. But many are guilty of telling little white lies, bending the truth or omitting some of the truth when it suits us.
Have you ever told someone they looked good in something, even if they didn't? Have you made up a creative excuse as to why you didn't finish your homework? Have you told your Mum that you finished your homework, when you haven't? Have you ever lied to fit in? Have you told someone that you did something to look cool? Proverbs 12:22 says, The Lord hates those who tell lies. But he is pleased with those who do what they promise. The Bible says that God hates lies - those are strong words. You don't have to be brutal when you tell the truth, but you can tell the truth with love and kindness. The second half of verse 22 says that he is pleased with people who keep their word and do what they promise. Do you know someone who never keeps their word? They promise to send you the notes for the lesson you miss, or to catch up on the weekend, but they never come through on their promises. You might also know someone who you can rely on to do what they say. Be one of those people - God is pleased with them. In Matthew 9 there was a woman who had been unwell for twelve years and spent all her money on doctors who were unable to help her. She had heard about the miracles Jesus had done and believed that he could heal her. All she did was to touch his clothes and she was healed. Jesus told her, Be happy, dear woman. You are made well because you believed (Matthew 9:22). I have no doubt that Jesus still heals people miraculously today, but sometimes, he doesn't. We will all be healed and all our problems resolved when we are in heaven with him. We can be happy about that.
Proverbs 12:18
Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing. I can imagine that a sword causes quite a lot of damage - your words can do the same. The Bible has quite a lot to say about our words. James chapter 3 says a lot about the tongue. It's not talking about the body part that helps you eat and speak, it's talking about your words. James 3:5-6 It is a small part of the body, but it brags about doing great things. A big forest fire can be started with only a little flame. And the tongue is like a fire. It is a whole world of evil among the parts of our bodies. The tongue spreads its evil through the whole body. It starts a fire that influences all of life. The tongue gets this fire from hell. James 3:9-10 We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people. And God made them like himself. Praises and curses come from the same mouth! My brothers, this should not happen. Your words can hurt or heal, they can build up or tear down, they can bring joy or pain, they can bless or curse - you choose. I love this parable about the kingdom of heaven being like a hidden treasure. It was quite common in Bible times to hide your treasure by burying it in a time of war or conflict. The message is that knowing Jesus is worth far more than the combined value of anything you own. As a teenager you may not own much, but imagine if your parents found some buried treasure in a field so they sold their house, cars, jewellery, big screen TV, and other valuables so that they could buy it.
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