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Listen while you read: "Blest Be The Tie That Binds"1 (Lyrics) |
James 3:10 – Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (NIV)
A few weeks ago, I was standing in line at my local drugstore when I overheard an interaction between a customer and the pharmacy assistant.
"Mrs. X, how are you doing today?" I looked back to see who Mrs. X was because of the kindness of the assistant's voice.
Mrs. X answered, "Do you really want me to tell you how I am feeling today?"
Everyone within earshot turned to listen to the exchange between Mrs. X and the assistant, and we chuckled upon hearing her reply. She was leaning on her cane, and she looked frail.
But I was astonished as she continued, "I would like to give you an honest answer, but I cannot lie out of the mouth that I pray with." What a profound statement!
I thought, "Wow! This lady is a godly woman." She certainly had great respect for the Bible.
Since that day, I have thought about her often. Mrs. X knew something that most people wouldn't want to admit to: lying is easy, and whether it is a small lie or a big one, it is still a lie. It also taught me a lesson: going forward, before I open my mouth to tell even an "innocent" lie, I will remember Mrs. X's response. I also hope that the group of people who overheard her response to the pharmacy assistant also learned something from Mrs. X's words about lying that day.
As I pondered her statement, I realized that I must acknowledge and take responsibility for every one of my previous little lies. Since then, I have prayed about them and have asked God for His forgiveness. I am now very conscious of every word that comes out of my mouth because I fear God's wrath. Revelation 21:8b warns all unforgiven liars that "their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (NIV) Ouch!
God doesn't like lying lips. Proverbs 6:16-17 tells us that "a lying tongue" is among the seven things that are detestable to the Lord, and Proverbs 19:9 states that "A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish." (NIV) Then in Colossians 3:9a, Paul commands, "Do not lie to each other". (NIV)
How do you feel about all those little white lies now? Pray with me:
Prayer: Dear God, before I speak, You know the words that I am about to utter from my lips. I am approaching Your throne today with a heavy heart. Forgive me for all the small or large lies that I have uttered from my lips. Lord God, help me to be conscious of every word that I speak from my mouth from this day forward. For this I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
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A good reminder, Yvonne.
That is very powerful, thank- you.
Powerful words, thank you.
Blessings.
Elderly, fragile, she should have given thanks for her blessings and not complaints.
Ouch! May God forgive us all! Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. Blessings (and I mean it).
Thanks, Yvonne, for this devotional, the lady at the pharmacy was such a true Christian, an example to all of us, and thank you for the prayer. Blessings.
Something to reflect on as I call it a late night tonight.
And off to do some research in the morning….
Goodnight!
Good morning, Yvonne,
Thank you for the reminders in scripture. Mrs. X really did have a great response.
God bless.
Thank you, Yvonne, for your positive and encouraging words today. It is a real responsibility that we be very careful of words that we speak as we never know the effect they may have on someone else and also we need be aware that the Lord always knows if our words are truthful or false. Blessings for these interesting and meaningful writings you prepare.
Good morning, Yvonne,
I definitely try not to lie. I enjoyed your devotional.
I think if you consider avoiding the whole truth is a lie when you don’t want to hurt someone’s feeling is a lie, I don’t. I am not sure how God feels. I think I will pray on that one. If someone asks you what you think of a dress they have on, I might say the colour looks good on you if it does or I might say if suits you if it does, but I might not like the dress because my taste is different. To me this is not a black and white question. I might say to the assistant, that I don’t feel my best today and I don’t think that would be a lie.
I definitely join in your prayer. Blessings.
Good morning, Yvonne. Sure is good food for thought in your devotional.
An ‘interesting experience’ (to me at least) came flashing back into my memory when reading this devotional.
A person came over to the pew in front of me following morning worship one Sunday and facing me said, very sincerely I thought, “How are you today?”
Automatically I said, “Fine thanks.” After a split second, I said, “Actually that wasn’t the truth. I’m having a hard day today.”
Immediately he responded: “No no no. That’s just a greeting and you should say ‘Fine thank you and you?”
I’d love to send your devotional to him. My thought was if it really was a greeting, make it a statement and not a question.
A priceless gem Yvonne! Blessings.
Thanks, Yvonne. I am going to share this with my Bible study group as we are studying actions like this.
THANKS, YVONNE. I was deeply touched by your devotional. A lie is a lie, there can be no differential at all with the fiery lake as a picture before us. I am one who sometimes embellish and I have had many talks with the LORD, believe me. Still the Bible states in the verses you pointed out a LIE is not permitted by our GOD. Matthew 12:36,37 have a sobering thought behind it “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken.” “For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned.” Thanks for the story of Mrs X. I pray for that answer to be mine one day. Blessings to you. GOD Loves you.