A Lying Tongue

Six things the Lord hates; in fact, seven are detestable to Him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19 HCSB

It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place. Henry Louis Mencken*

Do you remember the story of the shepherd boy who cried wolf? Whenever he grew bored while watching the sheep, he would cry out “Wolf! There’s a wolf near the sheep!” The villagers would all come running and he would enjoy watching them scurry around to help. However, one day, a wolf really did come near the sheep and the shepherd boy cried out “Wolf!” for real, but no one believed him.

In this day when so many cry out wolf for their own entertainment, may those of us who are shepherds for our Father never be guilty of similar fabrications.

Lord, help us to have honest lips instead of lying tongues.

*A Little Book in C Major