Have you ever thought about the connection between a lie and trust? The world we live in uses a variety of terms for lie in an effort to whitewash the habit. And for some, it is habit. They give no thought to the effects of that lie on the lives of the people who are inflicted by it. Some say they are saving a person’s reputation or their self-concept by telling them what they think they want them to hear instead of truth.
Trust is a tenuous thread at best. Again, the world we live in does not foster trust, in any circumstance. When I was growing up, I was often laughed at because I believed what people told me. It took a few years, but eventually I became jaded like everyone else and then, when I married, had to learn trust all over again. Trust is what keeps a man returning home after a day of temptations. Trust is what keeps a wife attentive to her husband’s needs believing he has her best interests at heart.
The quickest way for trust to be broken is for one to be found in a lie. It takes a long time to re-establish that vital link to make the relationship healthy again. Satan knew that when he perpetrated the ultimate lie in the Garden of Eden. “Did God really say that,” he asked. Then he proceeded to reinterpret God’s words for Eve, His lie created doubt and the rest is history.
In Psalm 2, verses 2,4,5, the Bible tells us, “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord. The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then He rebukes them in anger and terrifies them in His wrath.” God laughs at the lies that flow from the mouths of the leaders of the world and then He punishes them. God is truth. He knows everything, anywhere, anytime and yet humans insist on working their way around that truth … usually for their own gain.
How do we protect ourselves from the lies of the world? First of all, we need to make sure our words are not embellished or skewed or outright lies. Our integrity needs to be intact if we are to be effective pray-ers. Walking closely with God, the author of all truth, is a way that we will recognize a falsehood when we hear it. Have you ever walked into a room where someone was spouting half-truths or utter falsehoods, and known it immediately? The Holy Spirit living within offers you His opinion, if you are willing to listen.
I, for one, have no wish to experience God’s wrath. How about you? If you spend time with God on a regular basis, soaking in His truth, you’ll come to recognize a lie when you hear it. Keep your spirit connected with His and your words filled with truth. Then you can prayer effectively. And people will know you as a person of integrity and trust that what they tell you will be kept in confidence. Lies and trust are intertwined and can make or break a relationship. Prayer for our leaders today, that they will cloak themselves in integrity.
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