The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? Jeremiah 5:31KJV

The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule on their own authority; And My people love it so! But what will you do at the end of it? Jeremiah 5:31 NASB

           I am totally amazed at some of the messages I sometimes hear that seem so popularly received. They come from preachers who hype people & get them to believe what the Word of God doesn’t even promise. They prophesy, proclaim, and preach things that never come to pass except for a feel good moment in the meeting. Some of God’s people keep supporting it while at the same time turn away their ears from the truth. It is beyond true prophecy, encouragement, and hope from the promises of God. There’s no real substance to what they say. Never things about requirements, responsibilities, being a disciple, denying yourself, sacrifice, obedience, stewardship, or any of the teachings of Jesus from the “red letter” portions of the Bible. They give empty promises full of nothing but hype.

Here are some definitions of hype:

1. to stimulate artificially, excite, or agitate up:

2. to create interest in by flamboyant or dramatic methods; promote or publicize showily

3. promotion, or publicity to intensify the effect by ingenious or questionable claims, methods, etc.

exaggerated publicity; hoopla.

4. a swindle, deception, or trick.

           They only continue to exist because God’s people love to have it so or keep demanding it (Jeremiah 5:31).   They continue to supply because of the demand.  A dear Pastor friend of mine calls them “Cool Whip” messages. They sound so big in what they say but when you really bite into what they preach and teach you find it was mostly air. In a few moments it dissolves and doesn’t fill you up.  A few days after the meeting if someone asks you what the message was the response usually is, “I don’t really remember, but I sure felt good.” Jude 12 calls them clouds without water, they give all the appearances of being able to deliver rain but don’t deliver. I feel for people who are in desperate need to have God move in their life to the point they are willing to do just about anything but preachers don’t have permission from God to promise more than what He does in His Word. Everyone needs encouraged and I’m all for giving people hope but not false hope or hype. God’s people deserve the truth of God’s Word and the finished work of Christ doesn’t need human hype added to it

Psalm 16:5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

           I believe as Philippians 4:13 that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I believe I have what God says I have and I am who God says I am. I am willing to be used of the Lord in whatever way He sees fit. I also realize the wisdom of staying within the boundaries of what God has for me or the specific plan He designed for my life. We can expose ourselves to unnecessary temptation and hardship by striving to get into areas we aren’t equipped, gifted, or set by God.

           It is true we can do all things through Christ but it is also true that God sets the members in the Body everyone of them as it pleases Him 1 Cor. 12:18 and we have to take heed to fulfill what He’s given us.  Peter got overly concerned one time about what Jesus had for John to do and Jesus’ response was why are you worried about that, just follow me. “Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me John 21:20-22.” In other words, don’t worry about what I have for someone else just concentrate on following Me and what I have for you. We have to take heed to the ministry that we’ve received in the Lord that we fulfill it (Col. 4:17).

           I love Psalm 16:5, 6 because it tells us that the portion of inheritance God has measured out for us is both pleasant (delightful; sweet) and it is good (fair).  It uses surveyors terms and architectural terms like “lot”, and “lines.” In the Old Testament period all of the land of Canaan was the lot of the children of Israel’s inheritance with every individual having a part of it. In the Numbers 33:54 says that every man’s inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth.  If you add Psalm 16:5, 6 to this the measuring lines or district of the lot of our inheritance is pleasant and good. We don’t have to fight over or covet what another one gets (Luke 12:13-5). Instead of sulking, pouting, and wondering what our lot in life is, and instead of coveting what someone else has been given just say, “My lot in life is pleasant and good.” “What God has for me in this life is delightful, sweet, and fair.”

2 Corinthians 13:8 For we can do nothing against the TRUTH, but for the TRUTH.

           One of the most honorable character traits about Jesus Christ that a person can develop is loyalty. He was not only faithful but also loyal. He could be counted on to be true in His allegiance to His Father. Loyalty means to give unswerving allegiance and devotion to support, protect, and defend. It means to be stedfast or constant in personal devotion, affection, and allegiance. It implies freedom from fickleness in affection toward something or someone.

Two areas where loyalty comes into play in our lives as Christians is being loyal to truth and being loyal in relationships. Our highest loyalty is to truth (not opinions, preferences, traditions, or personal convictions and liberties where we may differ) and it has to come first before one can be loyal in relationships. Loyalty to truth (John 14:6) puts limits on all other loyalties and at times can act as a sword to other loyalties (Matthew 10:34-38).

           Our highest loyalty, allegiance, and defense MUST be to TRUTH because:

1. JESUS AND GOD’S WORD ARE TRUTH

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy TRUTH: thy word is TRUTH.

Ephesians 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the TRUTH is in Jesus:

2. IN THE LAST DAYS TRUTH WILL BE UNDER ASSAULT

2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the TRUTH, that they might be saved.

Daniel 8:9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn (the antichrist), which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the TRUTH to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the TRUTH, and shall be turned unto fables.

3. TRUTH IS OUR FREEDOM AND PROTECTION

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free.

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with TRUTH, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.

What does loyalty to truth look like? Loyalty to truth means:

– A willingness to accept the TRUTH and obey it even when it may not fit comfortably with our preconceived ideas and opinions.

– Allowing our mind, thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors to be shaped by the TRUTH even when it may not be comfortable or convenient.

– Refusing to compromise the TRUTH by accepting standards lower than the TRUTH, or adapting the TRUTH down to fit a morally declining culture in the Church, politics, business, education, and the media.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Of all that can be said of the character of the devil nothing could be more true than “the devil is a liar”. John 8:44 says, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

Satan, the liar and his company of lying spirits, pour lies on the Believer all day long about yourself, others, your feelings and others’ feelings. Lies about the past, present and future. Lies about sin, God and himself. He is a liar, and his major power is in his being able to remain undetected, hidden or covered. He fears disclosure, exposure and dreads the light of God’s truth. The devil hates to be scrutinized, examined and discerned. To have victory over the devil as liar and his lies we must:

1. KNOW THE TRUTH

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

2. WALK IN TRUTH

3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3. DO THE TRUTH

John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

4. REJOICE IN THE TRUTH  

1 Corinthians 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

5. LOVE THE TRUTH

2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

6. BE LOYAL TO THE TRUTH

2 Corinthians 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

7. SPEAK THE TRUTH

Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Truth is foremost in dealing with the devil. Truth is light and any untruth is darkness. He is the prince of darkness/father of lies or untruth. All our armor of light (Rom. 13:12) is held up with the girdle or belt of truth (Eph. 6:14). Truth is our protection.

We have the weapon of truth to use against the devil but we also have a personal responsibility toward lies and we must also be determined to put away all lies/lying and to speak the truth. Ephesians 4:15, 25 says, “But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. V.25 Wherefore putting away (laying aside) lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”

           In the Word of God honesty is a key to fruitfulness and change in our lives (Luke 8:15). It also determines our entering into our Promise Land and destiny Deuteronomy 16:20 (the word just is the word honest). Honesty in our lives needs to start with being honest with ourselves. People good at fooling others have to first be good at fooling themselves which the Bible calls self deception. Examine yourself with the following areas of self deception and if you’ve messed up just fess up.

1. Self-deception about sin 1 John 1:8.

(To say we have no sin when in fact we have sinned. To say we have no power of sin or sin nature Romans 6:18, 21, 23. To say sin is all the devils’ fault James 1:12-16.To say sin will not hurt you 1 Corinthians 3:18; 6:9).

2. Self-deception about being a hearer only and not a doer of the Word James 1:22-26.

3. Self-deception about your true level of maturity James 1:26.

(Anyone can appear spiritual but our tongue reveals us. The measure of pure religion is seen in practical acts of love James 1:27. The measure of a perfect man is his ability to bridle his tongue James 3:2).

4. Self-deception about sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7.

(Thinking that stuff just happens whether good or bad with no connection to seedtime and harvest. Waiting and expecting for a harvest without sowing seed. Thinking there are no consequences to your actions).

5. Self-deception of thinking you are something you are not Galatians 6:3.

(Our works should prove if we are something not our thoughts. If you are anything, your actions will prove it. The good we do cannot be hidden 1 Timothy 5:24, 25. Don’t be out to be someone, be out to help someone).

6. Self-deception of thinking you can keep bad company and it not affect you 1 Corinthians 15:33.

(Bad company ruins good morals, habits, and character. Good apples do not change the rotten apples; one rotten apple spoils the whole bunch of good apples. Cannot companion with evil and it not affect you).

7. Self-deception of thinking you can never fall and never be deceived 1 Corinthians 10:12.

(All of us are subject to deception in areas of our ignorance. Awareness that it can happen to you is the safeguard that keeps you open to staying free).

           Am I fooling myself? Self deception is being wrong thinking you are right. With no submission in your life, you have no outside voice to keep you objective. The bottom line of self-deception is pride Obadiah 3, 4. Pride rejects seeking God and His thoughts Psalm 10:4. Pride rejects the Father of Lights James 1:17; 1 John 2:16. Pride is the inability to admit need and the inability to admit wrong.

           A Christian cannot live a happy and fruitful life without being an honest person (Luke 8:15). What if God wasn’t honest? There would be no basis of trust in living or in dying. What if honesty was not a part of our legal system? There could be no justice. That is why it is perjury to bear false witness so that honesty could be protected in a witness giving testimony. First Peter 2:12 says, “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” Here are some other words that are related to honesty: integrity; trustworthy; fairness; honor; sincere; truthful; genuine; forthright; kindness; discretion.

What does that honesty look like? When you practice honesty you:

1. Do the right thing even if it is the hardest thing (INTEGRITY).

2. Follow through – you can be counted on to do what you say you’ll do (TRUSTWORTHY).

3. Won’t take things you don’t deserve like credit, awards, praise, or money (FAIRNESS AND HONOR).

4. Mean what you say and don’t say something you don’t mean (SINCERE AND TRUTHFUL).

5. You won’t exaggerate or pretend to be someone or something you are not (GENUINE).

6. Do not make false statements, leave false impressions, or deliberately use vague ambiguous statements to mislead, evade, or conceal the whole truth (FORTHRIGHT).

(Also, in certain life threatening situations, concealing isn’t lying if no obligation exists to reveal a fact; meaning no one has a right to lie but not everyone has a right to know everything, like an enemy threatening to kill you).

7. Are careful about what you say and the way you say it. Some people who claim they are just being

    “brutally honest” get more satisfaction out of the “brutal” than out of the “honest” (KINDNESS AND DISCRETION).

           A few years ago during a Christmas Holiday season my wife Candy and I were hosting our in-laws at our home. As she was preparing our dinner she ran out of a few ingredients and asked if I’d run to the store and pick up a few things she told me to get. My nephew was with me and after we made the trip to the store and were about to pull into our driveway I realized that though I heard my wife give out the list, I really hadn’t listened, so I forgot to get one of the items. I looked at my nephew and said, “What did she say to get.” He didn’t listen either and so there we were and both our minds were spinning trying to come up with a good excuse. After a long pause he looked at me and said, “Uncle John, sometimes you just got to tell the truth and take it like a man.” That was really good advice from a ten-year-old.

Honesty is the best policy always and 2 Corinthians 8:21 says, “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”

Honesty can often be seen in giving reasons vs. making excuses. After Pastoring for over 40 years I have found there’s a big difference between reasons and excuses that people give you. I like this list that explains the difference between reasons versus excuses from a teaching from Pastor Bob Yandian:

1. Reasons are legitimate explanations.

2. Reasons are the truth.

3. Reasons accept responsibility.

4. Reasons are facts.

5. Reasons hunt you down.

6. Excuses are often a facade to cover our own weaknesses and faults.

7. Excuses are often lies or exaggerations.

8. Excuses never accept personal responsibility but always place blame on someone or something.

9. Excuses are usually partially true.

10. Excuses are usually something you have to go find out, search out, and hunt down.

No one succeeds without being honest and taking responsibility for who you are, what you have, and what you can do. There is so much progress you can make if you will quit making excuses and take responsibility.

Deuteronomy 16:20 That which is altogether just (honest) shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

           One of the principles revealed in the Law of God for entry into the Promised Land or the land God destined His people to live in was being just or honest. Here in Deuteronomy 16:20 it is translated just, “That which is altogether just (honest) shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”

Honesty means being sincere, truthful, genuine, fair, trustworthy, and loyal with integrity. It means telling the truth, not lying, cheating, or stealing. Telling the truth despite consequences and being true when voicing one’s opinion in kind thoughtful ways. It is doing what we know is right and not betraying ourselves or going against what our conscience dictates.

Proverb 12:19, and 22 says, “The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. (v.22) Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are His delight.” In the New Testament it says we are to put away all lies and lying. Ephesians 4:15, 25 says. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”

Dishonest people and people who lie hinder themselves from entering their own destiny.

Lies are:        

1. False statements.

2. False impressions.

3. Vague, incomplete half-truth statements.

All lies:

1. Have an intent to mislead.

2. Either falsify or conceal.

Let’s be honest, shame the devil, the father of lies, and go forward into our destiny.

Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Trust is the basis for all relationships and honesty is the best policy – always. Dishonesty, of course, undermines this trust. How serious honesty is in God’s eyes is reflected directly in two of the Ten Commandments. The 5^th commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor,” and the 9^th commandment, “Thou shalt not lie.” For those of you who think the Ten Commandments have no value to the Christian under grace and that there’s no learning that can come from the Ten Commandments, think again.

Jesus took an application of honesty even farther and said it was one of the keys to fruitfulness. Jesus said that good ground that produced fruit in the parable of the sower sowing the Word of God into our heart in Luke 8:15, was first of all an honest (fair, right, honorable, good, admirable, becoming) heart. Seed can be good seed but it needs good soil. If there are bad things in the soil it hurts the seed’s production.

I believe honesty clears the ground of our heart from what hinders the Word of God producing in us. As long as there is no dishonesty, lies, or deceit in our heart the Word of God will in time bring forth its fruit in us. Let’s be honest with God, with ourselves, and with others in 2024. God’s Word is not silent on the subject of honesty.

We are to:

1. DENOUNCE DISHONESTY

2 Corinthians 4:1,2 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

2. PROVIDE THINGS HONEST IN THE SIGHT OF ALL MEN

2 Corinthians 8:21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

3. THINK HONESTLY

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

4. WALK HONESTLY

1 Thessalonians 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

5. LIVE HONESTLY

Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

6. HAVE OUR LIFESTYLE HONEST

1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Ephesians 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Today is a day we are to honor our mothers who deserve our honor every day. To honor means to esteem highly, to give weight or value to, to make important in your life, and to defer to the favor of. Here are some practical expressions of honor:

1. Respect and show consideration for them.

2. Don’t take them for granted. (Taking someone for granted means we benefit from their help without acknowledging them or saying thanks for all they do).

3. Give physical help to her for all she is responsible for as well as help her get more time for God and for herself.

4. Listen to her and talk with her. (Shutting her out of your life and ignoring her can be the cruelest dishonor).

5. Have realistic expectations of her for she is human too.

Honor and bless your mother today and every day. Proverb 30:11 says, “There is a generation that curses their father and doth not bless their mother.” Don’t be that generation!