TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. Proverbs 12:22 (NLT)
Read: Proverbs 12:22 (NLT)
Listen: Proverbs 12
TODAY’S MESSAGE
The writer of this proverb doesn’t beat around the bush. He uses strong language about lying and the truth. Because God is light and not darkness (1 John 1:5), he delights in those who tell the truth. When someone lives as a deceiver, their actions are the opposite of God. When someone allows lies to take hold in their life, it tends to spread to other areas. When we tell the truth—God’s character is being formed inside of us. This is especially true when the truth we speak is hard.
Many of us can hear this proverb and think of others who need to learn from it. Yet, we easily can engage in forms of dishonesty that are a bit less obvious. We may not overtly lie—but we pass on rumor as fact. We exaggerate and know we’re bending the truth. The problem isn’t that our lips tell lies, but that we will do anything to avoid the hard truth.
Think about this. Maybe we find ourselves drawn to share with others something about a co-worker. Or we exaggerate the role we played on a project when the boss checks-in. Perhaps we keep avoiding telling a friend or family member a truth in love. Whatever the situation, we need to remember that the Lord delights in the truth. We can be people who use words that bring delight to our God.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Spend a few minutes in prayer. Ask God to reveal to you those areas where your speech is not entirely honest. Then confess the things that come to mind and ask God for help to speak words that bring him delight.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
