Good morning,
A popular cable news program starts off every night with the statement "you are now entering a "no spin' zone" trying to make the point that they put forth truth in journalism.
Have you ever heard someone say "be careful, we have to put the right "spin" on this"? You may hear this at work, among friends, in government, and even on a church board.
Today's verse tells us to put away lying, MacArthur writes, "More than simply telling direct falsehoods, lying also includes exaggerating and adding fabrications to something that is true. Cheating, making foolish promises, betraying a confidence, and making false excuses are all forms of lying, with which Christians should have no part."
For today's verse we'll continue on yesterday's theme of "letting" God have His way and turn to the book of Ephesians
Eph 4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. NKJV
The passage starts out by speaking of telling the truth with the word "let". Read through the passage, there are 5 instances where Paul inserts this tiny little word about the will. He calls them to integrity in v. 25 "let each one speak the truth, forgiveness in verse 26 " do not let the sun go down on your anger, personal responsibility "let him labor instead of stealing" v. 28, proper conversation "let no corrupt word" v. 29, and appropriate heart attitudes "let all bitterness" v.31. (from the Daily Bread insight 4/2)
You've probably heard it said "let go and let God". I don't know about the letting go part, it takes personal effort on our part to follow, to submit to Him, but we are to "let God" lead.
It's about a battle over the will, ours vs. God's.
I'm reminded of the old hymn that I remember singing since childhood.
Have Thine Own Way
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit 'till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
Read through the passage below. It can easily be transformed into a prayer,
In Christ,
Mike
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 4:25-5:3
Do Not Grieve the Spirit
25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Walk in Love
5 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
NKJV
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