As we have been working through the Sermon on the Mount, we have seen over and over how Jesus raises the bar and gets to the heart! He states the standard that the religious people of the day would have clearly known (don’t murder; don’t commit adultery; don’t break your promises), but then He cuts to the heart every time (do not even hate another believer; do not even lust; do not make promises you will not keep).
Last night we looked into Matthew 5:33-37 and addressed the bad advice that “lying isn’t wrong as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone,” and we learned that “lying dishonors the LORD and destroys relationships.” We even had people admit that they not only told a lie recently…but that they are pretty good at lying.
The challenge is to be people of integrity whose actions match their words and whose commitments are kept. We call it one way we can “shake-n-shine” for Jesus!
Questions to ask at the table or when you’re driving in the car:
- When is the last time you told a lie? Why did you do it?
- Have you ever had someone break a promise to you? How did that feel?
- What does it mean to simply say “yes” or “no”?
- Why does Jesus say, “anything beyond this comes from the evil one?”
ACTION STEPS:
- KNOW the truth.
What one decision are you going to make to know Truth? - TELL the truth.
Is there anyone you need to come clean with? Is there a commitment you need to apologize for breaking?
Will you commit to say what you mean and mean what you say going forward? - LIVE the truth.
What do you think it looks and feels like to live the truth?
Is there an area of your life that doesn’t line up with the truth of Jesus? If so, what is it?
ELEVATE SCHEDULE:
February 25 – PRAYER: How Not to Pray (Matt. 6:1,5-8)
March 4 – PRAYER: Our Father (Matt. 6:9)
March 11 – PRAYER: God Help Us (Matt. 6:9-18)