The Consequences of a "White Lie"

For purposes of this article let’s define a “white lie” as a “fact that’s not totally untrue”.  A “white lie” is used when one thinks the “whole truth” won’t work.  Intrigue develops when one adds  the principle “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

Combined, these two are a prescription for difficulty.  This difficulty popped up for Abram (later, “Abraham”) when he went to Egypt in search of grain for there was famine in the land.  Abram’s wife, Sarai (later, “Sarah’) was attractive and he thought Pharaoh would kill him to take her.  So Abram said to Sarai, “Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you”(Genesis 12:13).

Sarai agreed and indeed Abram was treated well for her sake even to his being given, “sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels (Genesis 12:16).  But God was watching over his covenant-partners, Abram and Sarai, and brought great plagues upon Pharaoh’s house.  Pharaoh discerns the cause of the plagues and wants to know why Abram lied to him, telling him Sarai was his sister.  (The plain fact of the matter is Sarai was a half-sister to Abram.)  Pharaoh did not wait upon Abram’s answer, rather he “sent him away, with his wife and all that he had” (including Hagar, a female servant) (Genesis 12:20).

Had matters ended here Abram may have thought a simple tongue-lashing from Pharaoh a small price to pay for his indiscretion but, matters continue.  Seeking through self-effort to provide Abram with an off-spring, Sarai suggested he take Hagar, the Egyptian handmaid, a gift resulting from Abram's "white lie", and have a child by her.  This happened and Ishmael was his name. But such self-directed activity did not please God.  He was determined Abram and Sarai should have a child between them, though she was long past the age for bearing children.  On the way to the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abram and Sarai, God changed their names to Abraham and Sarah, re-affirming His Covenant with them.  Then Sarah bore a son, Isaac.

Before long Sarah could not bear the sight of Hagar and Ishmael in the household and said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac” (Genesis 21:10).  Reluctantly, Abraham did this but God determined to bless Ishmael because he was Abraham’s son.

Time passes;  much time—about 4,000 years.  The descendants of Ishmael populate what we now call the “Middle-East”, with many of them being Arabs and most of the Arabs being Muslims.  And virtually all of them, Arabs and Muslims, opposed to the people of Israel who are descendants of Isaac.  This critical, “end of the age” scenario has come about because Abram told a “white lie”.  This set in motion a chain of events that illustrates a foundational principle of God, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

Now the whole earth is experiencing the consequences of Abram’s “White Lie”.  No matter the cost, let us be determined to put aside all duplicity—for our sake, for the sake of our families, for the sake of the world.

Choose and then God Will Choose

There comes a time to choose the god you serve, making a clear choice for all to see.   This need is what caused Joshua to call the Children of Israel to Shechem.  There he recounts their history from the time of captivity in Egypt to the present moment, giving them the word of the Lord which made it expressly clear the Lord, Himself, had delivered into their hands the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canannites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites and the Jebusites.  Joshua also reminded the people how the Lord had used the “hornet” (the “drone” of that day) to drive out two of the kings of the Amorites (Joshua 24:11, 12).  Speaking the Word of the Lord, Joshua continued, “And I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you built  not, and you dwell in them; of the vineyards and olive yards which you planted not, do you eat” (Joshua 22:13).

Given these indisputable facts of God’s goodness to the people, some were still worshipping false gods which they had been harboring for years.  In effect Joshua says, “You can’t have it both ways.  You can’t worship Jehovah God—for He is a holy God and jealous--and the gods you brought over from Egypt.  You must choose whom you will serve—and do it today!"  (That’s asking for the sale.  Moreover, that’s life--making choices now!)  To encourage them Joshua said it doesn’t matter what you do, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15b).

On that notable day at Shechem the people chose God saying, “The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey” (Joshua 24:24).  Their choice was highlighted with setting up a huge, memorial stone.

Would that Israel had followed through, generation after generation, following God, but their faithfulness lasted only until Joshua died, then waxed and waned.  Yet God’s desire for His people in every generation is the same, “He shall choose our inheritance for us” (Psalm 47:4a).

Israel’s pattern need not be ours.  Why not be tender-hearted?  Why not be submissive to the Holy Spirit’s leading?  Why not yield to the Lord at every point—and let Him delightfully “choose our inheritance for us?”  Said the prophet Jeremiah we’re not qualified to choose our own way, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself:  it is not in man that walks to direct his steps” (10:24).  So, who shall direct our steps? The Scriptures quickly answer, "The steps off a good man are ordered by the Lord:  and He (the Lord) delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23).  Is this not a comforting assurance?

Are you struggling to put one foot ahead of the other?  Why not let the Lord direct your steps? Choose this day whom you will serve! “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”

 

The Power of a Fixed Heart

 

The sweet, Psalm-singer of Israel in Psalm 57 recounts calamities and God’s deliverances out of them.  There was King Saul attempting to kill David in a variety of ways.  Such was the level of hostility against him, David likened it unto being amongst a pride of lions; or, men setting a net for him; or, digging a pit for him.  Fleeing before King Saul, David had some real survival issues.

David’s survival became a little more tenuous when one considers he “drew a line” refusing to battle back against King Saul whom David recognized as "God's Anointed".  Once, David gently stepped over that line, cutting off the hem of Saul’s garment as he slept, only to be chastised severely in his heart afterward by the Holy Spirit.  Never again, in any fashion would David lift his hand against Saul—his only option was to flee.

Why was it necessary David flee before Saul?  In a word, jealousy!  Though Saul rewarded David for killing the giant Philistine, Goliath, by giving his daughter, Michal, in marriage to David;  and though there were times when only David’s music chased away the spirits that tormented Saul; there was this jealousy—it just wouldn’t go away.  For one thing it bothered Saul that the people sang more exaltedly of the way David killed the enemy (ten thousand at one time) than Saul (a paltry one thousand).  Such exaltation simply meant David had to flee faster and farther.  All this and more, for David, would be preparation for Israel's throne.

So what was David’s response to Saul’s attempts on his life?  This magnificent psalm of praise:

                “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise. (KJV)

                “I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations.
                “For your mercy reaches unto the heavens and Your truth unto the clouds.
                “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth."

                                                                                                                  Psalm 57:7,9,10,11 (NKJV)

How did David get to a point where he had such commitment to God?  The veil is drawn back partially when the prophet, Samuel, in telling King Saul God had rejected him said, God “has sought for Himself a man after His own heart” (I Samuel 13:14).  So, some things were already established in David’s heart but the “fixer” comes when Samuel searches David out to anoint him King over Israel (even while Saul is still king):  “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” (I Sam. 16:13).

Therefore the Spirit of the Lord was upon David when he slew Goliath.  The Spirit of the Lord was upon David when he played upon the harp before Saul, driving unclean spirits from him.  And the Spirit of the Lord was upon David the remainder of his life making him a worshipping warrior.

Couple these two things together, David’s desire for the things of God and the anointing of the Spirit of the Lord made him a king unlike any other in Israel’s history.  Principally for this reason the Messiah (King) Jesus was known as the “Son of David” (Matthew 22:42).

Is your heart “Fixed”? 

 

 

Has America Lost its "Hedge" of Protection?

Initially Old Testament Job had to face a two-part trial.  The first was removal of a “hedge” of protection that had been around him, his household and all he had (Job 1:10).  Satan said to God,”But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has and he will surely curse You to Your face!  So the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person” (Job 1:11, 12).  At this point Job loses all his property and his 10 children.  Grievous as this was, “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong” (Job 1:22).

Job’s second trial came hard on the heels of the first when Satan said to God, “’But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!  So the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.’ Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (Job 2:5-7).  At this point Job’s wife suggested he “Curse God and die” (Job 2:9)!  But this Job would not do; passing both tests.

The “hedge of protection” spoken of here is a common principle seen in both Testaments of the Bible.  A most notable example of this was when the King of Syria sent an army after the Prophet Elisha.  They surrounded Elisha and his servant but Elisha was not the least bit perturbed, but his servant was scared out of his wits, saying, “Alas, my master!  What shall we do?”  So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’  Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.  And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (II Kings 6:15-17).

The scene with Elisha and his servant powerfully illustrates the fact of the “spiritual” realm which is all about us.  This isn’t to get “spooky”, but simply to underscore the fact that there is a realm where angels exist, work, move and carry out God’s instructions.  The Bible is full of angelic incidents, but we simply have become so secular in our thinking we tend to dismiss out of hand all such allusions.

There are two countries moving in opposite directions which prove the point of a “hedge of protection”. Israel, though threatened on every side, will never be destroyed by any nation, no matter how hard the nations try because of God’s “hedge” of protection.  Yes, there will come a time when Israel will be temporarily overrun, but she will not be destroyed.  By contrast, America with all her vaunted military power, cannot seem to keep her enemies at bay.  Witness destruction of the “Twin Towers” and all that continues to follow. This is the larger picture.

The smaller picture is that in America a “hedge of protection” has been broken down round our schools.  Sadly, it would appear no matter what we do, heinous crimes will continue to be perpetrated against our children.  Why? Because we have clearly said, “We don’t want God (and His protection) in our schools”.  Now apply this principle to other areas of public life where matters appear to be out of control:  our court system, our borders, our economy, the institution of the home, marriage, abortion, etc.

Is God lifting His hand of protection off America?  If so, only one thing will change it—national repentance.  Would you not agree this is where II Chronicles 7:14 applies:  “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves ("fast"), and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”?

 

The "Power Base" of the Christian Faith

Somewhere, somehow and early on the “power-base” of the Christian faith has been hi-jacked.  This is seen notably in the switch from a power-experience base to a mental-doctrinal base.  With the Apostle Paul there’s no question where he stood.  His testimony on the subject is found in I Corinthians 2:3&4:  “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”

Paul’s stance was a natural outgrowth of the last words and testament of Jesus just prior to His Ascension:  “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you:  and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Jesus wanted this power for His disciples inasmuch as the Holy Spirit was at the heart of all He did in ministry.  It’s obvious that prior to Jesus being infused with the Holy Spirit, which happened concurrently (See Luke 3:21,22) with His baptism in water at the hands of John the Baptist, He did nothing in ministry.  Now so equipped, Jesus’ ministry began (See Luke 4:1-14).

While it’s true enough “no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit”(I Corinthians 12:2b), speaking to "conversion" and water baptism, it’s equally true that being baptized in water is not tantamount to being “baptized”(See Acts 1:5) with the Holy Spirit.  There are at least four instances in the Book of Acts where persons are “baptized” with the Holy Spirit after they had “come to faith” in Christ.

The proof of Paul’s ministry was that he came “in demonstration and power of the Spirit”.  The point here is not to argue the doctrine—we’ve had too much of that—but to ask the question, “Do you have Holy Spirit power”?  Paul did.  The early church did.  For Jesus it was a veritable “calling card”.  After Jesus resurrected Lazarus the people “met Him, because they heard He had done this sign” (John 12:18).  As news of Jesus continued to go out there were certain Greeks “who came up to worship at the feast” (John 12:20) and inquired of Philip, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus” (John 12:21).  And why was this? Nothing more than the results of raw-boned Holy Spirit power being demonstrated through Jesus.

Jesus even prophesied that those who believed in Him would do the very works he did and “greater works than these. . . because I go to My Father” (John 14:12).  Perhaps you’ve not viewed this as prophecy before, I hadn’t, but even as I sit here at my keyboard the Lord simply “dropped it into my spirit”.  Now I will give you an iron-clad Scripture to back up this position:  “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).  This is prophecy as clear and direct as anything you will find in the Book of Revelation.

While much of the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation is beyond our scope, this prophecy of Jesus is one we can have a direct hand in fulfilling.  If the theology of your church makes excuses why we are not to do the works of Jesus then “ditch it”—both the theology and the church.  Find a church where the power of the Holy Spirit is honored; get involved; get filled with the Holy Spirit; and get about doing the works of Jesus!

The Beauty of God's Requirements

 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”  (Micah 6:8).

Here the prophet Micah lays out a blue-print for life.  It begins with the fact God has revealed to His children what is good and what He requires of them.

Is it not ennobling God should address man this way; pointing out things He requires of us?  Before “unpacking” this verse a basic point needs to be made: because God requires certain things of us that means we can require certain things of ourselves and others.  Immediately this “flow” creates order, something vastly needed in our world today.  What must be the outcome in America where less and less is being required of more and more?

Let’s unpack Micah 6:8 beginning with “to do justly”.  The foundation of any justice stemming from us begins with our doing “justly” to God: giving Him His just due.  According to Jesus (Matthew 22:37) this means to love God with all one’s heart, soul and mind.  Immediately following this one is do “justly” to one’s neighbor, always treating him as you would be treated.  But not to be forgotten is the importance of doing “justly” to one’s self:  seeking first a vital relationship with God (“knowing” Him through Christ), keeping your body with all discipline in every area, avoiding all excesses.

Next, we are to “love mercy”.  This is so much a God-trait; going beyond what mere “justice” requires, looking to insert mercy, kindness, benevolence of every sort, topped off with charity.

But to do the above we must “walk humbly with our God”.  The very thought one can “walk with God” elevates the human situation above measure.  Beyond Judaism and Christianity, this is a totally alien concept.  It is the very walking out of this relationship with all peoples, treating them as Micah 6:8 requires, that is to make Jehovah God and His Son, Jesus Christ so attractive.  The problem with so many of us is that we have not “walked humbly with our God”.  This, to the sorrow and lack of the whole world.

Are you walking “humbly with your God”?