May 26th – Proverbs 26: You Hate What You Hurt

“A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” – Proverbs 26:28

God tells us the truth and sometimes it hurts, but the truth will set you free! This is one of those passages of scripture that tells us the truth and doesn’t mince words: “A lying tongue HATES those it hurts”.

I can’t tell you how many times, after being caught in a lie, the liar claims the lie and deception was intended to protect the lied to. This is our reasoning many times; we don’t want to tell someone the truth because it will hurt their feelings! But think about it, since when did lying to someone actually help them? We want to sound like these merciful benefactors, “I won’t tell them the truth because I CARE so much about their feelings.” But if we truly care for someone we will tell them the truth. A lie never helped anyone. Delayed the inevitable? Maybe. But truly helped? NEVER.

If we are going to get real, we don’t tell the truth because it makes US uncomfortable. We want desperately to avoid a situation where we and the person we confront are uncomfortable. Cowardice parades itself as merciful compassion, but it’s really this ugly, selfish thing that is totally self-absorbed. Lies never helped anyone because deception is the very nature of the enemy:

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44

We tell ourselves the same lies when we flatter someone, “I just want them to be happy” or “I just want them to feel good about themselves”. Flattery may seem benign to us, but in the end it works to ruin the person we flatter! Flattery is defined as: Lavish insincere praise and compliments upon (someone), esp. to further one's own interests. It’s totally selfish and self-serving and does the opposite of help.

But probably the biggest reason we shouldn’t employ flattery or lies is because it’s contrary to the nature of the Lord Jesus. Jesus made an amazing declaration:

“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

To tell the truth is to walk in the nature and character of the one we claim as our King and Lord. To walk in deception is to speak the language of the devil. One leads to life, the other to death!

LIFE LESSON:

You HATE those you lie to & you RUIN those you flatter.