I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
Summary: We take a second look at truth-telling and telling lies.
Paul’s statement about not lying is a challenging one. How do we know if someone is lying or not?
The answer takes us into the realm of good and evil. In the Genesis story about original sin, the serpent tells Eve, “For God knows that when you eat from it [the forbidden tree] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5) So, if the Bible is telling the truth, we have eyes that can know “good and evil.”
Great! Eve thought that sounded good but did she understand what she was signing us up for? What the serpent said is true, as far as it goes.
We can know “good and evil,” but do we know the difference? The answer to this question depends on your definition of “good” and what you think of as “evil.”
In the Bible, we read about God giving the “Law” to Moses and the Israelites. The Law is God’s definition of good and evil. It is good to love God with all your heart and to love (agapé) your neighbor as yourself. Opposing God’s will and laws is the definition of evil.
But what if I don’t love God? What if I want to decide for myself what is “good” and what is “evil.” Well, I can do that for as long as I am alive. When we die, we discover that there are consequences for not respecting God’s will. We are, after all, his creation.
Here is the weird part: If we choose to reject God, then we are left to judge for ourselves what is “good” and “evil.” “Good,” in that situation is what is good for me. “Evil” is something I don’t like or approve of.
For example, God’s Word tells us that we are not supposed to steal (Exodus 20:15). In other words, stealing is “evil.” If a person who rejects God’s law sees something they want, why shouldn’t they take it? Does it matter that it belongs to someone else? If they can get the thing they want and no one catches them at it, isn’t that “good?” If they can’t have it and the rightful owner won’t share, isn’t that “evil?”
Do you see the weirdness? What man says is “good” and “evil” can be the exact opposite of what God defines as good and evil.
Telling the truth works the same way.
If I tell the truth because I am honoring God, you can be sure I am telling the truth, or at least as much of the truth as I know. If I tell you something that is a lie, knowing it is a lie, I am trying to deceive you. I want you to believe the lie is the truth.
To know God’s Word is to know the truth. What is said can be the truth, a mistake, or a lie. Knowing God’s Word, knowing the person, and knowing the true facts gives us the tools we need to discern what is true.
Application: Immerse yourself in God’s Word!
Food for Thought: Why does Jesus teach us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you?” (Matthew 5: 44)
At the very heart of it, that is exactly what Christ did for us. Despite mankind’s rebellion against God’s perfect Will, He loves us, and loved us, so much so He sent Jesus to make it possible for redemption. Jesus tell us in Matthew 5: 44 to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” because as we can receive His love, we also can let His love flow through us. In Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus gave us a parable of one who was forgiven a great debt, only then to turn around and demand payment from another. If we are unable to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, we are that man. By loving and praying for enemies and persecutors there is a real possibility of turning them into brothers and sisters. That would bring joy. By loving, we are protected against hate. It brings us closer to Him, and closer to others. Perfect love casts out all fear.
In the greater sense, the ability of a believer to love like Christ is a testimony to the truth of God’s love for us.
Chris,
Thank you for your excellent summation! When people lie to us, the act as an enemy would. When their lies are discovered, we have to respond. God challenges us to respond with love.
Matthew 5: 45 – 48 helps us understand the “why” of verse 44: that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
It is “that” (purpose answering the why we are to love and pray for our enemies) we will be identified as a child of God. The child should be like the parent. Since our Heavenly Father has these characteristics, so should we as His children.
Or as CH said – it is exactly what Christ did for us.
Thank you Rich!
You make me wonder at God’s patience as he has listened to my “lies” over the years. Not lies to others necessarily, but lies to myself and to God.
“Oh that little sin isn’t so bad” kind of lie.
Yet, at the same time, God does not tolerate lies. I still have to ‘fess up. I still feel the Holy Spirit convict me.
01-11-2024, Why does Jesus teach us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you?” (Matthew 5: 44)
Loving our enemies is a foreign concept to our flesh. Jesus teaches that loving our enemies reflects the character of God which is unconditional and all-encompassing, extending to all those who have sinned against Him. Christians are called to allow this divine love to flow through us, toward all those brought into our lives.
Luke 6:27-36
Loving our enemies means allowing the love and kindness of Christ to flow through us, to those who oppose, mistreat, or harm us. It’s our call to love without conditions, irrespective of how we are treated personally. This unconditional love is not displayed in pacifism, as Christians are still expected to defend the innocent and speak the truth without hate. Colossians 3:1-4
It is an act of our will. Treating our enemies with compassion, forgiveness, and empathy. It is the result of a deliberate choice as we aim to break the cycle of revenge and promote reconciliation and peace. It requires prayer as we seek God’s blessings and well-being for those who may wish us harm and actively acknowledging God’s grace extends to all, including those who oppose us.
John 3:16
When Christians love their enemies, it can be a powerful testimony to our faith. It demonstrates the transformative power of Christ’s teachings and the ability of His followers to respond to challenging situations with grace.
Philippians 3:9, Ephesians 4:24, Galatians 2:20
Ron,
Thank you!
The Galatians 2:20 verse is interesting: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
If Christ is alive in me, which he is, then his Light should be visible to those around me. Ephesians 5:9
“(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)“
Exactly Jeff!
Ron