Speak the Truth
In the days following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the believers’ love for one another was characterized by selfless giving to meet the needs of one another. The Scriptures record “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (Acts 4:34-35). This distribution was not the result of some apostolic imposed communal lifestyle. Rather, it was the outworking of genuine selfless love resulting in unsolicited generous giving by those that were so led by the Spirit.
However, even the early church had its hypocrites. A couple, Ananias and Sapphira, “sold a possession, and kept back part of the price…and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 5:2). The desire to be recognized for their generosity led to their intentional deception. They wanted the apostles to believe they gave all when they had not. Peter, led by the Spirit of God, confronted Ananias “why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?” (Acts 5:3-4). Peter testified the land belonged to Ananias and that he could do as he wished with it.
Then Peter testified to the real issue. “Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou has not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:4). Ananias upon hearing these words “fell down, and gave up the ghost”. Later, his wife confessed her complicity in the matter and died also in like manner.
God demands purity in his church and that includes being truthful. Those whose sins have been washed by the blood of Christ should not return to sinful ways of the past. Paul wrote to believers in Colossae, “Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:8-9).
Telling lies is intrinsic to our old nature. The Psalmist wrote, “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” (Psalm 58:3). Face it, we do not need to teach children to tell lies for it is natural to us all. We teach them to tell the truth.
Why does man think that he can disregard the truth and get away with it? Perhaps, nothing speaks as loudly to our sinful nature and our need for redemption as does our bent towards lying. Christ told the Pharisees who would not believe him, “Ye are of your father the devil…he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). Outside of Christ, are we any better?
The Scriptures warn in their closing pages “all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). Jesus himself testified to Pilate that he came to “bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). Believe the truth. Speak the truth.
Randy Livingston serves as a chaplain for a local police department. He writes devotionals for his ministry which also appear at his blog, From the Chaplain. We republish this post by permission.
Photo by Carrie Borden on Unsplash