Hateful: #2 – TSL, Truth as a Second Language

“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:

haughty eyes,

a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked schemes,

feet that are quick to rush into evil,

a false witness who pours out lies

and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV

It’s hard to imagine God hating anything. Yet, Solomon gives us: God’s Top 7 Hate List.

“A lying tongue” marks the number two spot.

ESL (English as a Second Language). This class helps foreign students master English. English is my first language but I study Spanish too. I carry on a decent conversation, but I’m far from fluent. Let’s look at some spiritual languages and see who is fluent in what. Check out Jesus’ words in John 8: 43-45 (NIV):

“Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!”

See the language barrier? Jesus, head of the kingdom of light, speaks truth. Satan, leader of the dominion of darkness, lies. Is it any wonder that lying is on God’s Hate List, not once, but twice? Lying comes easily to our sin nature too, but if you are a Christ-follower, look at Colossians 1: 13, 14 (NIV):

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

You live in a new country. Time for some TSL, Truth as a Second Language. Immerse yourself in truth. The old has gone. The new has come. Gloria a Dios.