There are no white lies

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"There are no white lies" By Diane Webb

John 8: 36—"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

Sin makes us slaves. Ask anyone who has ever struggled with an addiction and they will tell you they felt like the substance controlled them. Every day was planned around when and how to get the thing they were addicted to. Over time it escalates and you are willing to sin even more because of your addiction—lie, steal, and sometimes kill. Slavery to other sins are less obvious but enslaving non-the less. It's so easy to tell little "white" lies and think nothing of it. Eventually, you may not even consider it a lie. You may decide it's the kind thing to do—to lie to someone you love. Jesus promises freedom from slavery—the slavery of sin--whether it be an addiction, a habit of lying, or any other act that dishonors God. Only He can truly free us from sin. Jesus tries to explain his truth to the people in John chapter eight but they do not seem to understand. He sounds frustrated when he tells them in verse forty three, "Why do ye not understand my speech?" He goes on to say those who do not believe the truth are of the devil who is the father of lies (verse 44, 45). Jesus explains since he is from the Father they would believe him if they were of the Father. On the surface it appears the people may have just not comprehended what Jesus was saying. However, Jesus makes it clear why they cannot understand—because they are of the devil who is the father of lies. Jesus does not seem to mince words in John chapter eight. He makes it clear that if your father is God you will recognize the truth when you hear it and all lies are from Satan. He implies believing a lie is no better than telling a lie—both are of Satan. Have you ever tried to tell someone something you know to be true yet they don't believe you? It can be very discouraging. We don't seem as bothered when someone understands what we are saying and then decides to disregard it. We at least feel comforted in knowing they had all the facts. Jesus, however, is holding people to a different standard. He is not excusing them from rejecting the truth even if they don't appear to understand the message. Imagine Jesus speaking directly to you and not believing him. What a wasted opportunity these people had. How many people hear the word of God today and still don't believe. Is it hopeless? The way Jesus talks in this chapter it seems hopeless at first—he says they are children of Satan and as such cannot hear or recognize the truth. However, he goes on to say he can free them from their sin and make them completely and truly free. Only then will they be able to hear and recognize the truth of God. He can free us as well from the lies of Satan—even the lies about lies. He can adopt us into his family like the son of a slave owner can free the slave and make the slave part of his family—with all the benefits of a natural born child. By believing and accepting Jesus, we become adopted into his family. By renouncing sin and accepting Jesus we can be free—free to hear the truth, free to understand the truth, and free from the entrapment of sin. Pray today for deliverance from sin—large and small. Make a promise to God and yourself to recognize the truth and honor the truth in all things said, thought, or done.

Father, I know I am a sinner saved by grace. I ask you today to open my eyes to the truth and help me recognize any sin in my life including those I don't normally think of as sin. Reveal to me the truth and help me, Lord, always speak with honesty and integrity. I humbly ask in Jesus' name, Amen.