Living In the Truth
BRD REFLECTIONS
Jeremiah 9 and Psalm 12 (NIV)
(David Khoo, Zone 13 Core Team Member, Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Jeremiah 9 and Psalm 12 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Both readings shine a spotlight on lies and deceit. Psalm 12 (ESV) laments “flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts” (v2-3) and Jeremiah 9:3 (ESV) decries those who “bend their tongue like a bow; falsehood and not truth has grown strong in the land.” This causes an erosion of trust: “Let everyone beware of his neighbour, and put no trust in his brother, for every brother is a deceiver” (Jeremiah 9:4, ESV).
Both passages also draw a direct line between deceit and the loss of godliness. Psalm 12: “Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. Everyone utters lies to his neighbour.” (v1-2). Jeremiah 9:6 reinforces this, stating “heaping oppression upon oppression…they refuse to know me.” (Emphases added)
APPLY:
I don’t consider myself a liar. At first glance it’s easy to think that today’s reading is directed at someone else. But deception is subtle. I can be deceptive or manipulative yet not be aware of it, perhaps because it’s instinctive or I immediately find ways to justify the act as self-preservation. In other words, I deceive myself in trying to deceive others.
As I sit back and ask myself, “When was the last time I lied?” I have to sift through a dense fog of self-justification. Then it hits me: The other day in the heat of presenting at a meeting, I stated that we had exceeded our goals in a project. People were impressed. But really, we had not set a goal in the first place. We had low expectations, but not actual goals. Wow. It stings, seeing this truth written down plainly. It was of little earthly consequence, but still, why did I do that? Self- preservation. And who knows what the heavenly consequences are.
Today’s readings remind me that lies separate me from God. Conversely, telling the truth draws me near to God, the Living Word, Truth embodied. Living in the truth, even when it’s tempting not to, shows that I put my trust in God, and not in my own effort or wisdom.
It occurs to me that living in the truth is not a passive act. It often takes effort, even planning, to be truthful. But the reward is a connectedness to God. To paraphrase Jeremiah 9:23-24, rather than boast in my wisdom, I can boast that I understand and know the Lord who practises steadfast love, justice and righteousness.
DO:
To avoid making false statements on the spur of the moment, I need to prepare and be intentional in what I say. In the future, for all speaking and presenting opportunities, I will plan my remarks prayerfully.
PRAY:
Lord, please forgive me for the times when I have lied. Help me to tell the truth. Help me to know the joy of living in the truth, living in You, and trusting You for my portion and my cup. Amen.
