A Proverb about being truthful

Today we look at a proverb about being truthful.

The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.

Proverbs 12:22

Discussion

• This is another proverb with a contrast built in.
• In this proverb, what does the Lord detest?
• In this proverb, what does the Lord love?
• When we read that the Lord detests lying lips, from the Hebrew we see that they are tow`ebah to Him. This means they are "a disgusting thing" to Him.
• Have you ever tasted anything that was disgusting to you? Why didn't you like it?
• Why do you think the lying is disgusting to God?
• In the "good" part of this proverb, we find what God delights in. The Hebrew word for delight is ratsown which means something that's pleasing, acceptable, and satisfying to God
• Have you ever tasted anything that was pleasing to you? Why did you like it? How did it differ from something that was disgusting to you?
• The proverb says God delights in men who are truthful. The Hebrew word is 'emuwnah which means faithful in their promises.
• Why do you think God delights in men who are faithful?
• Which would you rather be: disgusting to God or pleasing to God?

Becoming a theologian: God's truthfulness

Today we will be looking at God's truthfulness. We will be looking at three things.

1. God is the only true God.
2. Everything about him is true.
3. As His children, He wants us to love and pursue the truth.

God is the only true God.

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

John 17:3

• Here is John 17, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemene and is praying. He knows that God is using Him to bring eternal life to people and that eternal life is knowing God.
• Sometimes people have idols or other Gods that they follow. Are those God's truly God?
• Do you remember the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal? They each built altars and put sacrifices on them and called on their gods to send fire. Do you remember which god sent fire that completely destroyed the alter and all of the water thrown over it?

Everything about God is true

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

Psalm 33:4

• God's Word is true.
• Since we studied Psalm 119, do you know how many times God's Word is referred to as true or as truth? 5
• In Romans 3:4, Paul says "Let God be true..."
• We know that God is true and His word is true. Can you trust Him?

We should be truthful

25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Ephesians 4:25

• We are commanded to speak the truth.
• If you remember, one of the Ten Commandments is to not bear false witness against a neighbor. In other words, not to lie or tell something that is not the truth.
• If God's every Word is true and we are to be like Him, shouldn't our every word be true?
• Do you sometimes have trouble telling the truth?
• Do you think God wants you to tell the truth?
• Do you want to be more truthful so you can be like God?