As Britain Goes to the Polls…

**fennywest** Sat 01 May 2010, 10:44 am

Here in the UK there is electioneering fear since the Prime Minister called a general election coming up very soon (May 6, 2010). Parliamentarians, Councillors and party activists are up and running seeking re-election, election or campaigning for their representative. Others who missed being elected in the previous elections and are not tired are hoping that this time round they will be elected. Many promises are made at the doorsteps of the electorate with a view to winning them over. Politicians are careful not to offend their voters for fear of being dumped.

There was the recent case of the Prime Minister going to apologise to a pensioner and a long-term Labour voter who quizzed on immigration. He called a bigot ‘privately,’ not knowing that his microphone was still on. That was humbling.

In this drive for the votes of the electorate politicians will make promises they cannot deliver on just to get the votes of the electorate. They will say things that the voters will like to hear, not necessarily what they will do or are willing to do.

Therefore we can see a test of integrity vs. dishonesty, truth and lies. Often the electorate are deceived because they want people who will tell them what they want to hear and not the truth. Some of those who tell the truth may not be elected for being honest so we are deceived to vote for those who deceived us.

We need to pray that God will give us the courage to elect those who will tell us the truth and not just tell us what we want to hear to get our votes.

What does the word of God say about truth and lies?

Proverb:12:17: He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

Proverb:12:18: There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Proverb:12:19: The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverb:12:20: Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy.

Proverb:12:21: There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

Proverb:12:22: Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

The writer here is using a literary device of Comparing and Contrasting to elucidate, illuminate the truth about Truth and Lies (honesty and dishonesty, integrity and verity, and corruption and falsehood

One who speaks the Truth shows, exhibits, demonstrates, attests to righteousness- (right-standing) with God, has a godly character as opposed to a false witness that deceives; shows he is of the night , of the devil, in darkness, has no part with God.

Those who speak lies speak arrows or throw knives that will cut and eventually destroy, whereas the righteous or the truthful will speak words which will correct, exhort, rebuke and turn people onto the way of righteousness. Their words can be piercing and cutting, like a harmer and fire but they are of a different kind because it leads to goodness, uprightness, righteousness in the end. Their words are tantamount to a river of health, healing stream, healing, divine medicine to cure spiritual illness; divine direction illumination. They revive, revitalise, and invigorate, a breath of fresh air.

The words of the righteous establish, consolidate, set you on the right course whereas the lips of the liar give momentary pleasure, palliative for a while before they wound you and woo you to destruction

The harbingers if deceit imagine evil, wickedness and darkness. They dig your grave; they are a snare, but the harbingers (carriers, bastions) of truth are counsellors of joy, peace, serenity, calm, repose and bring the fruit of joy.

Those who speak the truth are the just; they are exonerated from sin; they are washed and the promise to them is: ‘no evil will happen to them’. God will protect and defend them; the enemy will have to hold on them. But the dishonest, those without integrity, will be filled with mischief; trouble will be brewing for them.

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. God detest them, abhors them, considers them offensive, and repugnant but those who speak the truth, defend the truth, and delight in the truth are a delight to God.

So truth or falsehood, which would you prefer?

We have talked about politicians telling lies in a bid to get our votes which is wrong but are we doing the same in our daily lives? The word of God challenges us as well as the politicians to be honest in our daily dealings.

Do you cut corners but expect full pay?

Do you cheat on your tax? Tax avoidance is legal but tax evasion is illegal and dishonest.

Do you take or give bribe?

Coming back from Nigeria recently on holidays I discovered that bribery is commonplace. Police have various checkpoints designed to maintain security to life and property but at such checkpoints they openly and brazenly take bribes before letting bus and taxi drivers through. The bus and taxi drivers then pass it unto the passengers in higher fares.

Do you cheat on your tithe and so rob God?

May the Lord open our eyes to see areas where we are dishonest, deceptive or deceived and derailed in Jesus’ name, amen.