There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 12
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! [John 8:44-45]
Jesus has harsh words to say against the religious leaders, accusing them of being children of the devil because they refuse to listen to what He says.
David bemoans the way people are refusing the truth as well.
Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. [Psalm 12:2]
This whole Psalm is exposing how people follow the “father of lies” in pursuit of their own self-interest and advantage.
They manipulate words and twist the truth in order to help themselves, even if it means hurting others.
David is upset because it seems everyone is doing it, no one can be trusted.
Is it any better today?
I am convinced that we all do this to some extent, manipulate words and twist the truth to make ourselves look better.
The challenge of Jesus is to repent, to acknowledge our sinful tendencies, and to start living as children of God.
This includes honesty and humility, allowing the light of truth to expose the darkness of deception.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. [John 3:19-21]
Telling a lie does no automatically make us a child of the devil, but it does point in that direction – the more we lie the more we are like him.
The opposite is also truth – the more we speak truthfully, the more like God we are.
Who child would you prefer to be, who would you prefer to be like?
PRAYER:
Lord, Your words are always true. Help me to aim to be like You, to be humble and honest, allowing the light of Your truth to cleanse me from the darkness of deception.