(Reprint from July 2012)

Welcome to 10 days of heart issues. We’re going to spend some time digging a little deeper. Look beneath the surface and begin to clean out some things that were going unseen. I would encourage you to get a little notebook and write down your thoughts, the things you discover, your notes on the verses for study. I hope this is a blessing to you and an opportunity for growth.

Tell the truth

I know it seems obvious that we should tell the truth, but I have realized it is easy to hide behind certain words and actions. As I pondered how truthful I am, I noticed that I throw out the phrases ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I can’t remember’ when that really isn’t the truth. The truth is that I don’t want to tell the truth.

Why?

Because I panic and I try to cover a sin or I create a sin by trying to cover up a simple mistake with a lie.  Perhaps I forgot to tend to a chore that my husband asked me to do. Yes, I legitimately forgot, but instead of ”facing the music’ and admitting that I messed up, I try to buy time to take care of it so he won’t notice.

I remember Algebra class in 8th grade. The class had been disruptive and the teacher assigned about 4 extra problems. I had worked ahead and had already completed the regular assignment. I completely forgot about the penalty problems. When asked to turn in my work, I stalled for time and made up an excuse. I got caught in the lie and was accused of cheating. To make matters worse, this happened during the week of parent teacher conferences. But thankfully, I wised up. I told my mother the truth and owned up to my mistake. It all worked out in the end.

Are there places in your life where you are lying? Are you trying to cover a sin, or maybe just buy time for something you forgot? Are you trying to take a matter into your own hands by lying? Lying can be subtle. You may not realize it’s a lie unless you look very close. The lie that is most dangerous is the one you tell to yourself. Have you tried so hard to convince yourself of something that you are now believing a lie?

As I was telling my husband about this post, he mentioned jokes and sarcasm. He has aspergers and takes everything rather literally, so at first I kind of laughed it off. But as I thought about it, he’s right. Often I use words in a humorous way, for example, puns. That’s okay. But sometimes the kids will ask what’s for dinner, and I will sarcastically reply ‘worms.’ Yeah, it’s funny, but it really is a lie. Perhaps I have some more looking to do in my own life.

YHVH is truth. His Torah is truth. He will only tolerate truth. He also knows that ‘the Truth will set you free.’ I avoided a lot of trouble when I told my mom the truth instead of continuing to perpetuate the lie. I have also seen people forgiven and protected from harm when they chose the honest path. We must live our lives in truth. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes there is real risk. Sometimes we have to confess our wrong and look pretty bad in the process. But YHVH will not and cannot bless a liar, no matter how small or subtle the lie. The only way out of the mess is to tell the truth.

Look closely at your life. Pray for YHVH to reveal any areas in your life where you are not being totally truthful. Is there something you need to come clean about? Is there a sin that you have been hiding? Are you playing avoidance so you don’t have to tell the truth? Remember that the only way out is to begin with truth. YHVH will lift you up and forgive you. He will protect you and bring honor to you as you seek to live a truthful life.

Verses to study

• Genesis 42
• Psalm 51:6
• Psalm 145:18
• Proverbs 8:7
• Proverbs 12:17
• Jeremiah 9:5
• Zechariah 8:16
• John 4:24
• John 8:32
• John 8:44
• I John 1:8

Hebrew

truth – emet

Truth in the Hebrew gives us the idea of stability, certainty, righteousness, and faithfulness.