“The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” (Proverbs 12:22)
How often do you think about God’s emotions? We talk most often about how much God loves us—and we should. God’s love is a huge deal. And we talk some about God’s anger, “pouring out his wrath” on the wicked in the past and future.
But we don’t talk as much about what God likes. Or what he hates. God is emotional. He responds to our actions emotionally, as well as justly and righteously. Just because we can’t see him smile or grimace doesn’t mean he doesn’t have those kinds of reactions.
God hates lying. Yes, he loves us, and he forgives us in Christ. He likes us. But he hates lies (including the “small ones”). And he enjoys it in a big way when we tell the truth, when we’re honest, when we refuse to deceive for our own benefit.
Does understanding God’s emotional responses to truth and lies make it easier to choose to tell the truth?
Think: How motivated are you by pleasing God with your choices, by doing things you know He enjoys?
Pray: Ask God to help you to hate lying and enjoy the truth in the same way that he does.
Do: Listen for lies this week and think about God’s emotional reaction to them.