September 15, 2013

3. Never ________manipulate______.

The Whole Truth

You have also heard that our ancestors were told, You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the LORD. 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, By heaven! because heaven is Gods throne. 35 And do not say, By the earth! because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, By Jerusalem! for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, By my head! for you cant turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, Yes, I will, or No, I wont. Anything beyond this is from the evil one. Matt 5:33-37 (NLT) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your fathers desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 (ESV) 1. __________Practice___________ truth-telling.

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. James 5:12 (ESV)

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. Rev 21:8 (ESV)

Life Group Questions

1. What brought you joy recently? What tested your faith? 2. Look back on this past week. When were you most tempted to tell a (white) lie, exaggerate, tell a partial truth, or rationalize something? What do you see about yourself? 3. Have you ever let yourself be intimidated, bullied or manipulated by someone using religious or "super-spiritual" language? Why did that have power or influence over you? 4. Name one situation where you can practice either (1) not telling a "white" lie, (2) not exaggerating or (3) not rationalizing. 5. Share prayer requests and/or answered prayer. Pray for one another.

2. Be discerning. Ocams Razor

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. Prov 10:19 (ESV)