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.”
I John 5:19 “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”
I John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
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.”
A few months ago, a professor at Harvard Business School lost her job. It was due to an interesting ethical lapse that appeared to demonstrate a systemic problem. This professor was found to have falsified data during her research and thus lied in her publications. It was a stain on the university’s reputation and had ripple effects at other colleges as they had adjusted their educational policies to align with her findings.
The most fascinating element of this breakdown of academic integrity was the subject matter of the research – ethics and honesty. This professor was unethical about ethics and dishonest about honesty. It was lying squared!
The world all around us is looking to drag us away from what is right, pure, and true. They seek to alure us to their paths and attract us to their lives. It comes from the most prominent seats of power and the most revered of institutions. They will do whatever it takes to get us to conform, even if it includes lying squared!
The counter-cultural alternative is our Lord and Saviour, who is the way, the truth, and the life. He is calling us to be conformed not to the world, but to Him. In sharp contrast with the world, he offers what is good, and acceptable, and perfect. And His presence in our lives is greater than the things of this world that seek to lie and cheat and steal to keep their grips on humanity.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO AVOID BEING ALLURED BY THE TRAPPINGS OF THIS WORLD AND INSTEAD CONFORM TO CHRIST. Lying squared is all around us, but the truth is the far more attractive alternative.
