Bible Ballistics: BBs #544  The Webs We Weave???

 

There’s and old adage which says, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when once we practice to deceive.”  (Written by Sir Walter Scott, in his 1808 poem, “Marmion”.). And while this isn’t scripture, it certainly is founded in scripture, for lies and deception will cause trouble, confusion and trouble for the deceiver and the ones affected by the deception and lies!

“A wicked doer

giveth heed to false lips;

and a liar

 giveth ear

to a naughty tongue.”  Proverbs 17:4

When we practice deceit, we lie—it’s that simple; it’s not a “joke”, it’s not “teasing”, it’s not “just for fun”— a lie is a deception whether it is spoken, or simply a false impression that we intentionally allow to go uncorrected.  And when we practice deceit, we align ourselves against God!

“The foolish shall not stand

in thy sight:

thou hatest

all workers of iniquity.

6 Thou shalt destroy them

that speak leasing:

the LORD will abhor

the bloody

and deceitful man.” Psalm 5:5-6 

We can choose truth, integrity and honor, or we can fall into speaking as the world speaks!  And the world (as a whole) is following the greatest liar of all.

“The transgression of the wicked

saith within my heart,

that there is no fear of God

before his eyes.

2 For he flattereth himself

in his own eyes,

until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

3 The words of his mouth

are iniquity

and deceit:

he hath left off to be wise,

and to do good.”  Psalm 36:1-3

Will we heed the truth or follow the “father of lies”?  Will we choose to believe and follow Jesus, “the truth”; or will we fall for the lies of the enemy of our souls?

“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.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.” John 8:44-45

The truth isn’t always popular—even Jesus was minimalized, ridiculed, and rejected for speaking absolute truth, for HE IS truth!  What will you and I choose to believe and follow?  Jesus and His Father God, or will we choose to believe the lies. You do have the God-given right to choose but remember there is a consequence to every choice; and while we are free to make our own choices, we aren’t free to set the consequences. Jesus has made it clear that there is only “One Way” to God—and He IS it!  What will you choose?

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

 but by me.” John 14:6

The question is simple, “Whom will you/I choose to follow?” Will we spin more and more webs of deceit, even deceiving ourselves; or will we choose “Truth” and come to Jesus in repentance and faith.  We are free to choose—what will you do with that freedom?  Every choice has a consequence, and there is a test at the end!  It could be today!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh

reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit

reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season

we shall reap,

 if we faint not.”   Galatians 6:7-9

May we stand with Joshua in the “power of HIS might” (God’s), without webs of deceit!  (See Ephesians 6:10-18)

“but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”. Joshua 24:15b.

Amen and Amen!!!