Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!
When first we practise to deceive!
Sometimes when I talk to people they say something to the effect of, “I could never be like the saints of the Bible. They’re so perfect!” Well, today I think we’d have to say that we would NOT want to be like the saints in this Bible reading!
Isaac’s family was messed up. He had twin sons, and he favored the older and his wife favored the younger. When the time came for Isaac to bless his heir, it was only natural that he’d choose the older. That was customary, and Esau was Isaac’s favorite. However, as Isaac grew old, he lost his sight, and Rebekah, who favored Jacob, took advantage of Isaac’s weakness. She and Jacob make a plan and tricked Isaac into blessing Jacob. In response to this underhandedness Esau decided he would kill Jacob shortly after their father died. (Murder makes everything better?)
How does that compare to your family? Do the members of your family constantly try to get an advantage over one another? Is there a constant game of deception going on?
I don’t know how common this is, and I would hope this kind of chicanery for selfish gain is rare. However, I have met families whose life is a constant game of manipulation, emotional blackmail, and deception. And even in the best families deception takes place as people do not own up to their own mistakes and weaknesses. Like Esau, none of us likes to come to grips with the foolish and sinful choices we’ve made . . . like selling his birthright for a bowl of soup.
God does not lie. Jesus described Himself as the Way, Truth, and Life. [emphasis added] In John 14, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth. The Triune God speaks only truth.
As God’s people we are urged in Ephesians 4 to let no unwholesome word come from our lips. Colossians 3:9-10 says, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Because we have been saved through Jesus’ death and resurrection we have been changed – we are being transformed through a process called sanctification.
“Sanctification” means that we are being made holy. This happens in two ways: First, we are made holy through faith in Jesus. His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Second, we are made holy as the Holy Spirit works in our lives and helps us to reflect the truth and love we have received through Jesus in the way we live. We are constantly in process living as forgiven and holy people through faith in Jesus and striving to be holy in the way we live through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Father in Heaven, You are the Holy One! You always do what is right. My life does not always reflect Your holiness, but You have forgiven me in Jesus. Help me to rejoice in Jesus’ salvation. Work by Your Spirit so that my life may more and more reflect that You have made me holy. Amen.
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