Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Tag: God cannot lie

Lying is no laughing matter

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On January 29, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When the Lord asked Abraham as to why Sarah laughed, when she heard of the promise of a child that she would bear, the Bible records that out of fear, she lied to the Lord saying that she did not (Genesis 18:15). To this the Lord does not react angrily but reaffirms that even the hidden laughter of Sarah was not hidden from the Lord. In fact, by denying what the Lord was stating was making God a liar, which Apostle John reaffirmed in 1 John 1:10 which reads “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

From this account we can learn a few things
1. Fear causes us to lie, but since those who live according to God’s spirit have no condemnation in Christ, there is no need to fear, which means that there is no need to lie (to God).
2. One cannot lie to God and get away with it, because he is omniscient.
3. Lying to God and denying that we have not sinned, when we have, makes God a liar (1 John 1:10) and God is not a man that he should lie (Numbers 23:19).

Lying to God is no laughing matter.

Points to ponder:
The Bible states that the father of lies from the very beginning is the devil (John 8:44). Jesus said that he and the Father are One and that he is The Truth (John 14:6). In him, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1) i.e., no need to fear.
Are you living in fear or with a sound mind without timidity? (2 Timothy 1:7)
We may be able to lie to man and get away with it, but we cannot lie to God and get away with it?
Lying to God makes God a liar and since he is God, the personification of Truth itself, he cannot lie and this is no laughing matter.

Genesis 18:15 (KJV)
15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

John 14:6 (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

2 Timothy 1:7-10 (KJV)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Doing is Believing

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On October 18, 2012

In Christian

When God commanded Noah to build an ark and bring into it, two of every sort of living thing of flesh, so that he, his family and God’s creation do not perish in the flood that God promised he would send, the Bible records that Noah did all that God commanded him (Genesis 6:22). Come to think of this, prior to this flood, there is no mention of any rain, during the days of Noah, let alone a flood. In other words, Noah believed that what God says he will do and thus obeys by doing what he was commanded.

Points to ponder:
To “do” what God commands us to do is an expression of believing. In other words, we do, when we trust that God will do what he tells us he would and to not do, is in essence an expression of not believing, in a promise keeping God, who cannot lie. Believing (Faith) without doing (action) is dead, for in doing, we express our belief. And when we do, let us be like Noah, who did all. We cannot do “partial” work for God – when we do, we must do “all” that he commands us to.

Genesis 6:13-22 (KJV)
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Proverbial Relationships with Neighbors :: Hasty and Halting

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On May 18, 2011

In Christian, Relationships

Proverbs 25:8-20 gives counsel on relationships with neighbors. This section advices us that we must at times use our feet and tongue hastily, while at other times, we must halt them, lest we weary our neighbor and be hated.

The Bible instructs us that we must not go forth hastily to strife (dispute) but when we have a dispute, we must be hasty with our feet to go and make peace; to amend the relationship and reconcile (Proverbs 25:8). We must also be hasty with our tongue, to debate our cause if we are at fault or speak words of compassion (mercy) and forgiveness, if we have been wronged (Proverbs 25:9). A word spoken at the right time (fitly) is like apples of gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11).

The Bible is balanced in its counsel. We are also advised to halt our feet and tongue, when dealing with neighbors. Have you ever come across someone who is always in someone else’s business. Every time that person is encountered, people often exclaim something to the effect of “Oh no, here he/she comes!” We are to mind our own business. We are not to be bothersome. We are to halt our feet from our neighbor’s house lest we make them weary and hate us (Proverbs 25:17). If we are respectful of the other person’s time, we are more likely to be invited. We must also exercise restraint and halt our tongue from speaking lies and giving false witness against our neighbor. For in doing so, we end up, pounding (mauling) and piercing our neighbor for no real cause, because a man who bears false witness is a maul (to pound) and a sword, and a sharp arrow (to pierce) (Proverbs 25:18).

The word ‘Neighbor’ according to Merriam Webster’s dictionary is defined as one living or located near another. We live on earth and God is in heaven (Ecclesiastes 5:2). We are in this sense God’s neighbors. According to the parable of the good Samaritan, the one who had mercy is the one who is a neighbor (Luke 10:37).

Jesus was hasty with his feet to come and settle the strife (dispute) of sin between God (Himself) and us (mankind). He was hasty with his tongue to speak words of eternal life, love and compassion (mercy). Jesus also halts his feet. He does not barge into anyone’s life, but waits patiently at the door, knocking, and waiting for the person to open their life and let Him in (Revelation 3:20). Jesus halts his tongue, being God, for He cannot lie or bear false witnesses (Numbers 23:19), but instead truthfully mediates for us, even if we sin (1 John 2:1). Jesus Christ is the best neighbor one could ever have.

Jesus said, love thy neighbor as you would love yourself. This would mean, we should learn from the Scriptures how to relate with our neighbors; know when to be hasty and when to halt our feet and tongue.

Points to ponder:
1. Do you have anyone to go make amends with? Be first to go and settle the dispute and reconcile! Be hasty with your feet!
2. Is there someone who deserves a word of forgiveness or compassion or mercy from you? Withhold not your words that is fitting! Be hasty with your tongue!
3. Are you considered by others as being bothersome? Halt your feet and withdraw them from your neighbor’s house, lest you be hated.
4. Do not lie or bear false witness against your neighbor. Halt your tongue!

Proverbs 25:8-11 and 17-18 (KJV)
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

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