Fighting against the lies

"Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. ¹⁵ Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church." Ephesians 4:14-15

As I read this verse last night, the main thing that jumped out at me was where it talks about lies. Personally, the thing I hate the most is when someone lies. I guess you could call dishonesty one of my pet peeves. I even hate half-truths, which are just as bad as an outright lie.

I've been able to discern fact from fiction fairly easily in my life, until I start to trust someone. When that happens it's like a fog comes and clouds my judgment. Is it that way with you? If I ever felt mistrust, I tried to push it out of my mind while thinking, "I have to believe everything this person says, or I can't say I trust them! That makes me an awful person!"

Lately I am learning this is not the case.

I'm not saying to be constantly on your toes with your loved ones, but remember that trust (on a human level) is to be handed out slowly,carefully, and prayerfully. There's no surefire equation or strategy to have people not hurt you. But you can prevent it as much as possible. People who lie easily with no conscience about it are extremely crafty with it, as this verse states.

If you've been hurt by lies, then that should be more motivation to tell the truth. By doing this, you grow more and more in the body of Christ. Don't combat hurtful lies with more untruths. If you do that you won't get anywhere. You will regress in your walk with God. Tell the truth, the pure, real, clean truth, and you'll grow so much with God.

Honestly, sometimes, it's so hard to tell the truth. It's hard to admit things you've done, things others have done, or things that need to be said. Sometimes it will be the hardest thing you ever have to do. But I promise you, you will be blessed for it. The difficulty of the moment will turn into a huge blessing.

If you're hurt by lies, pray that your heart will be healed and more discerning. If you find yourself telling lie after lie, ask God to help you stop and cleanse you with purity.

In truth,
Holly