Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. (Prov 12:22)
Home needs to be a place of honesty for two reasons: God hates lies and he delights in truth. Both are important.
First, the negative. We should avoid doing those things that displease our Father in heaven. If God hates lying, we should develop a holy hatred for lying. If God is going to hold liars accountable, we must fearfully learn to control our minds and mouths. Discipline and serious consequences are sometimes necessary in order for us to learn that lying isn’t funny, or appropriate, or admirable.
But don’t overlook the positive. God delights in those who act faithfully. God takes great pleasure in the truth. God is filled with joy when his children choose to do the right thing, even when it’s hard to do.
Our homes should have two main goals:
- We want to avoid doing those things that our heavenly Father hates.
- We want to talk, act, and react in ways that our heavenly Father loves.
There is nothing more important in life than making God happy. Not our grades in school. Not earning money. Not what our friends want or think of us. Nothing is more important than making God happy.
If his delight is our main goal at home today, it’s going to be a good day.
For discussion: Why do you think God hates lies? What does it mean to “delight” in something or someone? What happens when we choose to do the right thing, even when it’s hard to do? What do you think makes God happy? How can we make his delight our main goal at home today?