Ephesians 4:25-32 “Therefore, putting away lying, Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Pastor Kyle continues that lying is not an attribute, but a vice. Proverbs 6:16-19 declares, “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. God detests lying. “Thy shalt not lie” is one of God’s Ten Commandment of His immutable Moral Law, stating in Exodus 20:16, “You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person).” Speak truth. Psalm 120:2 prays, “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.”
1 Timothy 1:8-9 “Now we know [without any doubt] that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully and appropriately, understanding the fact that law is not enacted for the righteous person [the one in right standing with God], but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinful, for the irreverent and profane.” How else would we know “right from wrong”, “good from bad”, “righteous form unrighteous”, holy from unholy”. God established those standards by which mankind is to live by.
Psalm 4:3-4 tells us, “Know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him. Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.” Let go of bitterness and anger, holding onto forgiveness and kindness. There is “righteous indignation” we can experience, but that is a corrective anger, not the ongoing character of the born-again Believer. God is angry with sin (the voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God; any voluntary transgression of the Divine law, or violation of a divine command; a wicked act; iniquity), and so should the child of God. It is unacceptable to accept what the Lord, our God does not accept as righteous in His eyes; God sets the standards. In Romans 1:16-19 the Apostle Paul explains, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” This is not uncontrolled rage, but corrective anger to induce repentance unto forgiveness and restore the person to an upright position before God, and not give the devil a place in their life.
Stealing is also a sin against God’s Moral Law of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:15, “Thou shalt not steal.” Doing so with an intent to take what belongs to another, and without their consent. Also, put off foul language and put on truth and grace in communication. “Swear words”, “cuss words”, and foul-mouthed profanities are ugly, ungodly and unnecessary. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 “From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Study God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures of the living Bible enough to have a Word for someone else.
Logically, Romans 10:14 asks, “how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?" It is said that you don’t know what you don’t know, but you cannot teach what you do not know either. In the "seeking and saving the lost" mission ministry of God’s redemptive work for new life in Christ. In witnessing for the Godpel, we all need to grow in the knowledge of the Word of life. 1 Peter 3:15 instructs us, “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you.” That hope in Christ is unto salvation and eternal life in Heaven for eternity. Let us know God and make Him known.
In Christ, Brian
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