Hello siblings
Did you grow up with the phrase, Every whisperer is a liar, every liar is a thief, and every thief goes to jail? I’m not wholly sure how much of the quote is original, for I suspect, as with many things we chanted as children, we added our spin to it. What do you hear in that chant?
For me, it suggested that the chanter was curious about the whispers. But it also spoke about a lack of trust and the consequences of actions. Moreover, it speaks to me about the potential to deceive and to be deceived. Interestingly, the first thing that Y’shua Jesus warns us to watch for – in Matthew and Mark’s Gospels – is the proliferation of deception. Are we seeing any of that already? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Matthew 24:4 NIV
[4] Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
Rumours and Lies
Siblings, although the proliferation of deception is in direct relation to tomorrow’s Nougat, I felt led to pause at the preponderance of lies. We live in an era now, where truth is not only relative, it can be substantially altered through technology. (Have you seen AI-generated images or videos of the former pope? It was uncannily realistic!) Some of these cases have resulted in lawsuits, as people’s lives and livelihoods have been negatively impacted by tech-facilitated violence.
Self-Check
How easily are we deceived, and how do we respond to intentional deception?
Application
As believers, we need not be worried about the increase in deception. For, as post-Pentecost believers, we are blessed with the Indwelling Truth, Who teaches us all things. God’s Spirit will enable us to discern truth from fiction when we ask. Let’s also be reminded of Y’shua’s assurance to those Jews who dared to believe in Him, ‘You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.’ Our truth is directly linked to God’s truth. That is where we will find the authority over deception.
I urge us also to be careful that we’re not the authors of deception. While I accept the validity of the little child’s assertion that Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but a present help in trouble, that’s the conflation of two separate verses … it’s not what the Bible says. Believers are called to a life of integrity, both in Leviticus 19 and Colossians 3.
Psalm 101:7 puts it this way, ‘No one who practises deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.’ We also hear Y’shua’s admonition in Matthew 18 regarding those who lead others into sin.
What then do we do when confronted by deception? I’d argue that we find proof that there is deception and prayerfully confront the issue. We don’t have to go into attack mode, we can firmly but calmly correct – in love. Of course, being aware of the truth that we would use to correct the lies is essential. Having confronted the deception, we also may need to ensure that those who might have believed the lies have access to the truth. No name calling, just facts that speak for itself.
Yes the days are evil. No we don’t have to be worried. For I’m each of us dwells God’s Spirit of Truth, whose presence releases us in these times.
Point to Ponder
What is the truth I need to share in this season?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
