18 AUGUST
WORDS MAY BE DECEITFUL

The Gibeonites answered: “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the Lord your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt.”

(Joshua 9: 10)

The Gibeonites pretended to be who they were not – long distance travellers; whereas they were the Israelites’ neighbours in the land of Canaan. How often are we deceived with words of praise and flattery? Sometimes it may even be from those who pretend to be believers and are quick to shout, “Praise the Lord”, with hands held piously lifted in worship.

I do not know if young men still become visible members of churches in order to get unsuspecting Christian ladies as wives or just girlfriends and, soon after, the bubble bursts. I do know that some people pretend to be Christians to get a job. I remember a young man who worked with us during the early years of our practice. He acted and spoke like a true Christian. In fact, he had been recommended by a member of his church who saw him as a diligent Christian. He would sit in the front row on Sundays, copiously taking notes during the Sermon and actively serving in some departments in church.

Sadly, by the time he worked for a few months, he had stolen so much that his widowed mother who stood as his surety had to sell a piece of inherited land to pay off his debt. To our greater shock, he beat up his mum and collected enough funds to buy a ticket to Germany. I wonder what became of him. His words and behaviour were all a hoax but eventually his true colours could not be hidden.

The Psalmist rightly says, concerning God Almighty, “You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” (Psalm 5:6). God allowed the Gibeonites to have victory but the consequence of their deceit was a curse: “You are now under a curse:  You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God” (Joshua 9:23).  Every sin has a consequence!

ACTION: Choose to live a life of sincerity and to be guided by the voice of wisdom.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me grace to be truthful and to be sensitive to your leading, so that I will not be deceived by words or actions.