God is impressing on my heart to share with you a few nuggets I got from Psalm 17. The sin that drives us away from the presence of God is LYING. A lie comes from deep down a man's heart and it is directly related to our personality and our spirituality. Just as adultery affects our spiritual life, a lie does that a dozen times. It is THE SIN in the book of Hebrews 12: 1 which admonishes us thus: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,.
According to me the SIN that easily entangles is LYING. LYING is so grievous because it is a LANGUAGE and as such, it gives the person lying identity. If I speak the language of a certain people, I identify with them. Most of us in Africa and Asia can speak English, French and Arabic as second or foreign language and therefore, we identify with the first speakers of those languages. When you speak someone's language, the person whose language you are speaking moves closer to you and finds a sense of belonging. Since any language attaches us to a culture of a people, LYING as a language, attaches us and I identifies us with the first speakers of that language.Who are the speakers of this language called LYING?
While Jesus walked on this Earth, He taught His disciples by word and deed. There was a time when religious Jews claimed to be Abraham's sons and Jesus told them that if indeed they were what they claimed to be then they would not be thinking and planing to kill him. A lie is murder. It is hatched in the same place- the depth of man's heart.Satan is a murderer and a liar. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
Therefore as Christians, if indeed we want God to listen to our prayers, we have to purge LYING from our hearts like David in Psalm 17. Repent and speak the truth in love because God does not listen to Satan's language. Pray with David through Psalm 17
Hear a just cause, O Lord,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.
3 You have tested my heart;
You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and have found nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men,
By the word of Your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
5 Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip.
6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save those who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
9 From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.
In Jesus Name we pray AMEN!
