(The following is the October 9 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Titus 1 and pay close attention to verses 1-3.)
At the beginning of his letter to Titus, Paul referred to “God, who cannot lie” (v. 2). Paul’s statement is consistent with other passages:
- “Every word of God is pure” (Prov. 30:5).
- “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).
- “It is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18).
As image-bearers of a truth-speaking God, we must speak truth:
- “Do not give false testimony against your neighbor” (Ex. 20:16).
- “Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are his delight” (Prov. 12:22).
- “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices” (Col. 3:9).
- “But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars – their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).
Jesus identified Satan as the ultimate liar and source of lies:
- “You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
Human lying may be blatant and intentional or “white lies” we try to justify. But our God cannot lie. Neither should we.
Next Step:
Have you lied recently? Confess those sins to God and pray that he will strengthen you to be a reliable source of godly truth.
