The Repulsiveness of Lying

Ephesians 4:25
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”

Lying is a disgusting and destructive sin. For some reason, it seems that many people don't look at lying the same way that God does. Many people think that lying is acceptable if it is done to keep them from answering uncomfortable questions. Some think that lying is fine if it is done to keep from hurting someone’s feelings. Yet, God commands the Christian to put lying away. When you look at what lying says about you and what it does to others, you will soon realize the repulsiveness of a lie. Six results come from telling lies.

Working Together

2 Corinthians 6:1
“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”

Life consists of relationships. You cannot make it in life without building relationships. The business person is building relationships with those to whom they desire to do business. Developing the right relationships in business will determine the success of that business.

Don the Scrubs

1 Corinthians 5:1
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.”

Several years ago, I worked for the county coroner as a side-job. When we picked up a body, we were instructed to put on surgical gloves. In rare cases, when we picked up someone who died of a communicable disease, we were required to put on full surgical gear so that we didn't get infected with the same disease. Donning the scrubs didn't mean that we were better than the person who that body represented, it was simply a precaution to keep us from acquiring the same disease.

It’s a Teaching Problem

Psalm 86:11
“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.”

“Do it because I said to do it.” The problem with this statement is that a young person grows up doing what they do because their parents or pastor told them to do it, and not because they know it is right. 

The Best Exercise Program

Acts 24:16
“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”

People are constantly trying new exercise programs that are the most beneficial physically, and exercise regimens that are the least time consuming. One reason some choose to exercise is to lose weight, and others exercise to stay physically healthy and in shape. There is no doubt that physical exercise profits any person who regularly exercises.

Determined to Detour

Acts 19:21
“After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

When reading about Christians in the Scriptures, we must always remember that they are still human. As great as the Apostle Paul was, he still made mistakes from which we can learn. Yes, God used him greatly throughout his ministry, but like all Christians, he made a few mistakes that the LORD allowed us to see so we can learn from them.

Get to Labour

Proverbs 14:23
“In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.”

There is a difference between working and labouring. Many people go to work every day, but not everyone who goes to work labours. Labouring is an exertion of physical strength through work. In other words, the person who labours gives all of their physical and mental strength while they work. God says, “In all labour there is profit…”The Scriptures show the many rewards of the labourer.

Shaking Things Up

Acts 4:31
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

You often hear leaders say that they need to shake things up. When they say this, they are saying that they need to do something drastic to change their current circumstances. Shaking things up gets people out of their apathy and comfortable settings and usually gives enough fear or motivation to get people to get off their seat to do something. The whole reason you shake things up is because something needs to change.

At the Master’s Call

John 11:28
“And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.”

One of the missed facets in the story of Lazarus coming back to life is the call of the Master. We have heard how Jesus delayed His coming when He heard of Lazarus’ sickness. 

Cumbered About

Luke 10:40
“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.”

Martha is like so many people in that she was so “cumbered about much serving” that she missed the opportunity to enjoy the presence of the Saviour.