Dishonesty Damages and Destroys

Written by Neal Bowes.

Read

Psalm 34:12-14
¹²Do you love life;
do you relish the chance to enjoy good things?
¹³Then you must keep your tongue from evil
and keep your lips from speaking lies!
¹⁴Turn away from evil! Do good!
Seek peace and go after it!

Reflect

In 1 Samuel 21, there is a story about David. At the time, Saul was the king of Israel, but David's popularity was growing and Saul feared he would lose his thrown. So, he was chasing David and trying to kill him. David fled in such a hurry that he had neither food nor a weapon. He ran to the house of Ahimelek the priest.

David thought that if he told the priest he was on the run from the king, the priest wouldn't help him. So, he lied. He told the priest that he had been sent on an urgent and secret mission for the king--so urgent that he didn't have time to gather supplies and so secret that he couldn't bring men with him.

The priest had extra food--more than he needed. He also had a sword. Priests don't need swords. David couldn't figure how this lie would hurt anything.

The only problem was that when Saul found out that Ahimelek had helped David, he considered it to be treason. He thought the priest had been conspiring against him. So, he had Ahimelek and all the other priests of the town executed. Many people lost their lives because of the lie that David told.

Lies that we tell may not have such disastrous ramifications, but untruthfulness is never without its consequences. When we lie, sooner or later that lie will be discovered. And when it is, we will be exposed as untrustworthy people. Trust is a hard thing to earn but an easy thing to lose. Dishonesty will damage relationships and destroy friendships, so, "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies."

Respond

Protect your integrity. Consider the words you are about to say before you say them. Do not allow even a little dishonesty to be a part of your conversation.

Relate

If today's devotion spoke to you in a particular way and you feel led to share your thoughts with others, please do so.