Befriending a liar is a taxing endeavor. A proven word is better.
“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true (Psalm 18:30 NLT).
The Lies
Ben was a friend who entered my family by way of marriage. Initially, I took everything he said at face value. Then, I began talking with someone who had known him longer than I had. Suddenly, Ben’s stories took on a new appearance. The stories he told just seemed too good to be true. Perhaps the truth was in the story somewhere, but he embellished it so much that no one could recognize it. My friendship with Ben was never what it could have been because I couldn’t trust his statement as the complete truth.
Ann also entered my family by way of marriage. Ben exaggerated to make himself look better or make his stories more interesting, but Ann just told plain lies. Not so much in her words but in the information she withheld. As with Ben, I initially took her words at face value. Then, I began talking with people who had known her longer than I had. Their stories agreed: “You can’t believe anything she says. She’s a perpetual liar.”
But the story doesn’t stop with two. Charlie was another by-marriage family member who had trouble telling the truth—not initially when she entered the family but later when she went through some type of mid-life crisis. Determining whether I could believe her made associating with her taxing and unpleasant.
The Truth
Thankfully, God doesn’t mince words, renege on words, or utter words that aren’t true. Every command God gives has a purpose, and every promise He makes will materialize. Friends and family members, who are as good as their word, are much easier to relate to. When we are never lied to, we don’t have to worry about whether what they say is true. We can accept their words as facts.
Each word God speaks is truth. In a time when many wonder where we can find truth, we can bet our lives on the truth of God’s Word. According to its own testimony, it is inspired, relevant, and error-free. God’s Spirit inspired the writers, and they penned what He wanted them to say. It is truth that has stood the test of time and will endure to the end of time.
When looking for something you can depend upon, look to God’s Word.
-Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
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