Stick a Needle in My Eye
Series: Authentic Faith
August 14, 2022
Frank Foreman
The old joke goes: "How do you know if a politician is lying?" The answer: "When you see his mouth moving, you know he's lying." There are seemingly always questions about the integrity of our elected officials. One might imagine that for a person of genuine integrity, it would be difficult to convince people of that because of the generalization of those in the political arena. ---------- One way that can be accomplished, as obvious as it might seem, is to be a person of unquestioned integrity, allowing people to see a day-in-and-day-out level of commitment to being a person of uncompromising character so much so that people notice over time that you can be genuinely trusted. ---------- Moving out of the political arena and into a spiritual one. James challenges his readers to such levels of consistency and character so that when you speak, others can know that you are speaking and acting with integrity. Living such a life that people might joke: "How do you know a Christian is telling the truth?" Answer: "When you see his mouth moving, you'll know he is speaking the truth!"
Episode Notes
(Journal) James 5:12
Big Idea: Christians are to demonstrate lives of integrity and credibility….
Be faithful to keep your word.
1. The distinction of Christian truthfulness.
(Journal) James 5:12a
Matthew 12:34, You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
2. The restriction of Christian truthfulness.
(Journal) James 5:12b
Leviticus 19:12, You shall not swear by My name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
3. The instruction of Christian truthfulness.
(Journal) James 5:12c
Ephesians 4:25, Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
4. The motivation of Christian truthfulness.
(Journal) James 5:12d
John 8:44, You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Matthew 5:33-36
Matthew 23:16-23
Next Step: I will keep my speech simple….
My “yes” will mean yes and my “no” will mean no.
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