HONESTY AND INTEGRITY, KNOW THE TRUTH.

It all started in the garden of Eden.  The first lie told to the new creation God had made in His image. 

The devil telling Adam and Eve that they would be like God if they took of the forbidden fruit.

They were already like God, made in His image both male and female.

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him, male and female.

When sin entered into the human race, so did corruption, decay and death.

It all started with a lie.

Beloved, lying is serious, it is the very nature of Satan.  When you think that a little lie won't hurt, you are wrong!!

You will be giving the enemy an entrance to your mind.

Remember deception is a truth mixed with a lie.

You have to believe the lie mixed with the truth in order to be deceived.

Proverbs 12:22

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,  But those who deal truthfully are his delight.

In the birth of the church there is a story that emphasizes the importance of telling the truth.

Acts 5:1-4

But a certain man named Ananias with Sapphira his wife, sold their possession. And kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part  and laid it at the disciples feet.  But Peter said, Ananias why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?  While it remained, was it not your own?

And after it was sold was it not in your control?

Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied to man but to God.

Both Ananias and his wife dropped dead for lying to God. (Read the whole story)

God could not allow the birth of the new church  start with a lie.

A little leaven, leavens the whole lump.

Lying is serious. 

It will cause us to compromise the truth of God's word.

Proverbs 6:16-19 

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 speaks lies, and one who sows discord among the brethren.

If you find yourself lying, repent quickly and pray for the Lord to remove a lying spirit from you.

Colossians 3:9-10

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,  and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.

That old sinful nature will try to come up out of the grave, to protect itself.

Jesus, through the Holy Spirit is our protector.

Have you ever wondered what it was that Satan said to the angels that caused one third to follow in his rebellion?  Lies of all kinds, I am sure.

Ephesians 4:25-27

Therefore, putting away lying.  "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.  "Be angry, but do not sin" do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.

Don't try to justify yourself by lying, thinking you are protecting yourself, that is a trap.

Don't lie to make yourself important to others.

James 3:13-18

Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.  this wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

For where envy and self seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without hypocrisy.

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Get delivered from self importance. Pray for humility to replace it.

Die to self!

Only Jesus Christ is the important One. 

When His name or His blood are spoken of the enemy will run.

Take authority over the spirit of pride.

Galatians 1:10 

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Jesus is the way THE TRUTH and the life.

Put on that belt of truth that we have with our armor, buckle it tight, and know that truth will prevail.

2 Timothy 2:15-16 (Read it all the way to 19)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

But shun profane and idle babblings, for they increase to more ungodliness.

As soon as a lie is exposed to the light of God's word, lies, deceptions and wrong teaching will fall by the wayside.

Light dispels darkness.

Beloved God gave us a spiritual thermometer,

When it goes up that is a sign that we are about to move in the flesh, that old sinful nature.

We will become defensive, when we stray from the truth, trying to protect ourselves. This leads to trouble for us. 

Denying instead of repenting. God always gives us time to repent.

God is our defender, we do not have to prove any thing.

Remember if you catch yourself in a lie, repent quickly and ask Jesus to remove it from you.

Jesus paid for all our sins, past, present and future.  He knows we are but human and growing daily in Him. 

Jesus is our intercessor, He loves us and will through the Holy Spirit teach us to be like Himself.. Where truth is of the utmost importance.

Hebrews 7:25

Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

We have a forgiving Savior and Lord, but our part is to recognize the dangers set before us and immediately go to God for help.

Don't lie, or compromise God's word, be diligent to repent when needed.  And beloved, we all need to repent at times.

So be honest and have integrity as a believer.

Speak the truth.

God bless your day

Jesus loves you

Love in Jesus

Joy