Throwing out the old: Lies

"Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices" (Colossians 3:9, New American Standard Bible).

Have you seen the movie Catch Me If You Can? The main character is based on a real person who once made a profession of being a skilled liar, basically by stealing identities and forging checks. He now assists the government in fraud protection. The movie itself is a look into how lies can be taken to an extreme, and how someone can feel trapped in a lifestyle of lies.

It is crazy how lying can become second nature for us, even in subtle ways. In contrast, God is full of truth and goodness. As His disciples and family, He wants us to reflect that part of Him, His truthfulness.

Some major truths God has given us include:

• His Word (John 8:31-32, John 17:17)
• His promises, especially in sending Jesus, the Messiah, to be the Good Shepherd and to pay the price for our sins on the cross (John 10:7-18).
• The Holy Spirit to work in us and through us, to help us live a life of truth today (see John 14:16; the Spirit is also called the Spirit of truth in John 15:26, John 16:13, 1 John 4:6, and 1 John 5:6). 

Truth has this great, freeing value, and living a life of truth can testify to others more of who God is. It seems so simple, to speak truth, but we need God's power and His help. Let's pray for help to continually be a people of truth.

Lord, thank You for Your truthfulness. We ask that You remove any desire in us to lie. Help us show others Your truth. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo found on www.bluesummitwealth.com.

The Holy Spirit testifies to truth

"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me" (John 15:26, New American Standard Bible).

"The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" is a common phrase heard on witness stands in courts in America. It is expected to be included in their sworn testimony. The Holy Spirit has a similar role as a truthful witness, as His teaching lines up with the Lord's law found in Scripture. The meaning of the Holy Spirit, "parakletos" in biblical Greek, is one who pleads another's case. The Holy Spirit, a part of the Holy Trinity, in this verse is described as being a witness to Jesus' identity.

Why is the Spirit comforting as we face our sins? The Holy Spirit can bring light not only to our sin, but also to God's grace. When we see the gravity of our sin, we can confess it and turn from it to God. God has the power to forgive that sin and free us from being slaves to it. Our sins were already paid for on the cross, so God forgives us out of His mercy. The Holy Spirit testifies the truth of Jesus to bring God's glory to light.

The Holy Spirit reveals the light and hope from God and helps us with the mission that God calls us to. Like a witness that testifies truth, the Holy Spirit helps us see the truth of who Jesus is. As the truth of God comes to light, we can pray that we and others are continually drawn into a closer relationship with Him.

Lord, help us see, by the power of the Holy Spirit, who God is and what He has done for the world. Speak to others about who You are through us. In Your name, Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).