Discussion: Honesty

Why should you tell the truth?

Why would you lie?

What does it mean to lie?

What risks do you take on when you lie?

Can you share of a time when you lied?

Can you describe a time when you told the truth, but it was hard?

God is the origin of truth. When we are in God's will, we are with him in spirit and truth. When we lie, we seperate ourselves from His protection to trust in Satan, who is the author of lies. Shame tempts us to distance ourselves from God, but forgiveness breaks shame's hold on us. Satan tries to mimic God's comfort when he draws us from God, but he has no love for you. He lures us away to stall God's plan for our role in God's kingdom.

Show God love by speaking in his language, truth. Do not speak Satan's language, because it identifies you in league with the enemy's team when you do. You don't want to be found on the losing team in the end. God's team wins.

The risks associated with dishonesty are high, and get higher when we least expect them to.

"Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.
Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."
When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price."
Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."
At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events."
-Acts 5:1-11

And Remember: Show God love by speaking in his language, truth. Do not speak Satan's language, because it identifies you in league with the enemy's team when you do. And which team wins in the end?

God's team. Let's pray.

07/31/07
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