Ephesians 4:25
Yesterday we looked at fear and acceptance as reasons one might use falsehood to protect themselves. Today we will finish with why falsehood can become habitual.
•
Habit: There is quite a bit of research to support what most of us
instinctively know – the more we lie and get away with it, the more likely we
are to make lying and deception a habit especially at a young age.
When we allow these things to control how we live, we begin
to live an overly self-centered life. It’s about what I want, how I might get
hurt, how I am going to be accepted by others and about what’s comfortable for
me. But If Christ is in you, truly, the mind of Christ
is in you. You can overcome these patterns in your life. This interplay lies on
a continuum of do you choose.
Paul referenced Zechariah 8:16, 17 in 4:25 “What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretenses. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other”: Zechariah says “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD.” Zechariah 8:16, 17 (NIV) You can see the connection.
Paul referenced Zechariah 8:16, 17 in 4:25 “What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretenses. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other”: Zechariah says “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD.” Zechariah 8:16, 17 (NIV) You can see the connection.
The command that Paul
gives here is in the present tense, so he is literally saying that we need to
keep on speaking truth within the body. Once we begin to see how we engage
in falsehood, it’s pretty easy to see what is required to speak truth – it’s the
polar opposite of falsehood. The next question is to be asked is do you want to
be set free this? Transformation takes place when we follow James words: “Therefore confess
your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” James
5:16 (NIV)
If
you confess your sins of falsehood, do you know what you’ll be healed from?
• Hurts:
o Relationships that are damaged will be restored:
Example: I am thankful for a wonderful wife and a great marriage relationship. But when I look back over the years, the most difficult times in our relationship as husband and wife occurred when I wasn’t totally honest with Amy. Maybe I didn’t out and out lie to her, but I deceived her in some way – usually by just omitting the truth or by failing to share how I really felt. That falsehood harmed our relationship because it damaged the trust that we had built up. But one thing we learned is that when we allowed healing to take place it changed how we looked at and treated each other.
• Hurts:
o Relationships that are damaged will be restored:
Example: I am thankful for a wonderful wife and a great marriage relationship. But when I look back over the years, the most difficult times in our relationship as husband and wife occurred when I wasn’t totally honest with Amy. Maybe I didn’t out and out lie to her, but I deceived her in some way – usually by just omitting the truth or by failing to share how I really felt. That falsehood harmed our relationship because it damaged the trust that we had built up. But one thing we learned is that when we allowed healing to take place it changed how we looked at and treated each other.
Painful
memories will be wiped away…
How do we fix it? We get healing, and when we get healed it affects the whole body. Can you see the Holy Spirit working getting you ready for healing and transformation?
o God is ready to do Ministry today for healing in you…
o If you don’t respond Your Healing will be Delayed
We fail to obtain the healing that we need because we’re too afraid to be honest with others in the body. But when we do that we miss out on the very means that God has provided in our lives for the purpose of helping us to heal.
Are you ready? You are loved!How do we fix it? We get healing, and when we get healed it affects the whole body. Can you see the Holy Spirit working getting you ready for healing and transformation?
o God is ready to do Ministry today for healing in you…
o If you don’t respond Your Healing will be Delayed
We fail to obtain the healing that we need because we’re too afraid to be honest with others in the body. But when we do that we miss out on the very means that God has provided in our lives for the purpose of helping us to heal.
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