Deception Versus Integrity

The potential for deception is entrenched into our character and seems to be present from early childhood. Deception, in whatever forms it takes, builds a bridge to broken trust and broken hearts. Psalm 62:4 defines it. "They delight in telling lies, speaking pleasant words with their mouth but cursing with their heart." 

The biblical word for heart refers to integrity and character, how people think and feel. Here the heart is the seat of all behavior, both good and evil. Listen to Proverbs 4:23-24: “Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Refrain from deception in any form; keep corrupt talk from your lips.”

Words can steal joy and peace when used as a weapon. However, words build a bridge to love and trust, hope and goodness, and can heal the sick in spirit and soul. Kind words are able to restore a troubled relationship by closing the gap of alienation. Ask God to bless you with a clean heart.                            

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A good man produces good deeds from a good heart. And an evil man produces evil deeds from his hidden wickedness. Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech.

~Luke 6:45 The Living Bible

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Expressing Adoration with Thanksgiving

Reverence for the Lord builds a bridge to confidence, knowledge, and wisdom. Reverence also builds trust for managing crises which each person must face. Reverence for Christ Jesus builds faith to accept that "all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purposes".

When everything appears to be in place for us, displaying reverence to God by expressing thanksgiving demonstrates our heartfelt gratitude. Reverence for God helps us keep a right perspective on the transient nature of the material things we try so desperately try to possess. True wealth is only found in love for God and others.

This is what Jesus means when he tells us to lay up our treasures in heaven where they will be secure. 2 Chronicles 19:9 reminds us that reverence for the Lord helps us cope with situations that are beyond our control. Reverence for God places us in a position to receive all the help God is willing to extend to us.  

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A good person brings good out of the treasure of good things in his heart; a bad person brings bad out of his treasure of bad things. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

~Luke 6:45 Good News Bible

 

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe.

~Hebrews 12:28 Amplified Bible

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The Voice of Conscience

Making significant choices in moments of vulnerability has been everyone’s experience. Being vulnerable to praise and flattery, even if  pretentious and laced with ulterior motives, identifies those moments. For financial reasons, Delilah deceitfully pretended to love Samson in order to seduce him while being a spy for his enemy. 

Sexual passion has the power to diminish common sense, numb the conscience, and blur spiritual and emotional boundaries. The stronger the voice of sexual passion that is beyond God's boundaries, the more silent becomes the voice of conscience to warn of danger. In this state of mind Samson revealed to Delilah the secret of his strength.

It would be easy to condemn Samson for being so foolish, but have you ever been deceived by passion? Sin charges in full force to steal your voice of reason and logic. God’s word admonishes us to guard our hearts from sin by keeping our minds clear and our hearts tuned to God. He promises to be our shield and defender. 

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Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

~Proverbs 4:23 New Living Translation

 

A good man produces good things from the good stored in his heart, and an evil man produces evil from his evil stored there. What you say flows from your heart.

~Luke 6:45 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

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