Broward Church: In the Meantime

Truth in Action: Would You Lie to Save a Life? | Al Williford

Episode Summary

In this lesson, we explore how honesty is not just about avoiding lies but about embodying truth, uprightness, and wholeness in one's heart. We also discuss how integrity is connected to the presence of the Holy Spirit in baptized believers, emphasizing that God demands and enables honesty. And analyse a real-life moral dilemma: Would you lie to save a life?

Episode Notes

I. Honesty vs. Deceit

• Honesty is equated with truth, integrity, honor, and uprightness.
• Deceit involves lying, trickery, fraud, and duplicity.
• The concept of honesty/deceit involves more than just words.
• Integrity is defined as wholeness.

II. Biblical Perspective on Honesty/Deceit

• Old Testament Examples:
  • The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity (Proverbs 11:3).
  • Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out (Proverbs 10:9).
  • The Lord detests lying lips but delights in trustworthy people (Proverbs 12:22).
• New Testament Examples:
  • Followers of God should not lie to each other (Colossians 3:9).
  • Followers of God should put off falsehood and speak truthfully (Ephesians 4:25).
  • Followers of God should not use deception, nor distort the word of God, but set forth the truth plainly (2 Corinthians 4:1).

III. God and the Truth

• Image of God:
  • Humanity was created as God's imagers, meant to be His representatives.
  • Humans are to be a mirror to reflect God’s image on Earth.
  • As emissaries, humans are to have God's qualities.
  • God is a God of truth.
  • It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).
• The Holy Spirit and the Truth:
  • The Spirit of truth guides people into all truth (John 16:13).
• Jesus and the Truth:
  • Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
  • God's word is truth (John 17:17).

IV. Results of Honesty/Truth

• Enables people to hear the voice of Jesus (John 18:38).
• Knowing the truth makes people free (John 8:31-32).
• The truth sanctifies people (John 17:17).
• Leads to God’s dwelling place (Psalm 43:3-4).
• Enables people to worship the Father (John 4:23).
• Brings favor from God and people (Proverbs 3:3).
• Gives a piece of armor to resist evil (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

V. Origin of Dishonesty

• The devil is the father of lies (John 8:44).
• There is a spiritual war between the Kingdom of Heaven and the powers of this world (Ephesians 6:12).
• The dragon was hurled down to earth and leads the whole world astray (Revelation 12:7-9).
• The powers of this world work to deceive (2 Thes. 2:10, Rev. 13:14, 2 Cor. 4:4).

VI. Results of Dishonesty

• Liars will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 21:8).

VII. Additional Scripture References:

• Proverbs 12:19, Psalm 15:2, 1 Peter 3:10, Colossians 3:9-10, Psalm 119:160, Proverbs 19:9, Zechariah 8:16