As Jesus followers we are called into the Kingdom Life. This blog will help us converse and learn what that means. It will contain thoughts on Scripture, Sermon Reflection, Leadership Training and interesting reads. -Pastor Jeff

Friday, March 6, 2015

You Can't Handle the Truth - The Art of Deniability

Read Genesis 18:1-15
“But Sarah denied saying, ‘I did not laugh’; for she was afraid.  He said, ‘Oh yes you did laugh.’” v. 15

It's an epic moment in movie history, the showdown in the courtroom.  After months of dodging and weaving, of cover-ups and dishonesty, of altered records and off-the-record orders, it all comes down to this moment.  Lt. Daniel Caffee (Tom Cruise), the reluctant hero, stands poised to take on the world in pursuit of truth.  Col. Nathan Jessep (Jack Nicholson), bristling under the offensiveness of being forced to defend his leadership.  The argument reaches a crescendo, a fevered pitch, when Lt. Caffee demands, "I want the TRUTH!"  Jessep quickly responds, "You can't handle the truth."  

Perhaps he's right.  It's not that we don't want the truth.  It's just that we are ill-equipped to know it when we see it.  

Unfortunatley, we are in ways wrapped up in never-ending cycles of exaggeration and white lies.  Who wants to admit that?  We embellish and strategically leave out details to ensure our self-preservation.  Many of us, when feeling cornered for a wrong we've done, have responded with an out right denial of our involvement.  That denial forces us to cover our tracks through an ever expanding web of lies and deceit.  

What bondage, what weight that is to carry.

Did you know that deceit is an "abomination" to the Lord?  Check this out, in contemporary culture we are quick to throw out that word "abomination" in reference to specific sins.  Did you know the Hebrew word for abomination is used dozens of times in the Old Testament, one of them in Proverbs 6:16-19 when the writer enumerates those seven things that are an abomination to the Lord.  On that list we find a "lying tongue."  Ooohhhh...if that isn't a plank in the eye.

That seems harsh...right?  Why?  Deceit wreaks havoc on God's intended purposes for the world that he's created.  1.)  He is (T)ruth.  When we lie we wander further and further from him.  2.)  It dismantles and destroys relationships, unraveling the fabric of trust that is to hold us together.  3.)  It gives space for darkness in this world as we work to remain hidden and safe behind the black sheet of our dishonesty.  

The devil is often referred to as the Father of lies.  

In today's story, Sarah uses deceit for self-preservation in the face of fear and disbelief.  Given a promise of God and unable to see how that promise is possible, she doubts God and laughs.  When called on it, she blatantly denies.  God had promised her a child (despite her barrenness) and that promise was too good for her to accept.  Denial is deceit and a powerful obstruction to our walk with God and those around us.  It is the replication of the hiding that Adam and Eve do in the garden.  

One of the greatest marks of maturity as a follower of Jesus is the practice of honesty.  Truth-telling is a difficult virtue of faith for most.  Learning to move from lying to truth-telling is the movement from giving space for the power of the "evil one" to the courageous confession of Jesus as Lord of our whole lives.  It is the courage of trust.  It is the dedicated movement toward the light.  It is the passion to avoid all dark shadows.  It is commitment to integrity over and above self-preservation.  It is the recognition that only the truth has the power to set us free.  It reclaims the distance between us and God and seeks to heal the tears of our relationships with others.   Truth-telling is a mark of Jesus following-faith.    

Reflection
1.)  Name a time when like Sarah, you lied to protect yourself.

2.)  What is one situation right now when you know you have not been honest with someone close to you?  

3.)  What is keeping you from telling the truth.  




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