Lying: Why is Sin Sinful?

Imagine for a moment that in the creation sequence when God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation…” marble-size balls of fire were produced instead. When God told mankind to “fill the earth, and subdue it,” what if He really meant for lions to be in charge, as ’king of beasts’ and to subdue man? What would this say about God’s word?

The very essence of truth was established in the creation sequence. When God said, “Let there be light,” the Bible tells us, “and there was light.” The very thing that came from the mouth of God was God’s intention and the result. A person could go though the entire creation sequence and see the same pattern of truth. So, from the beginning, truth was established.

Truth is especially important in relationships. Only thorough truth is trust built. When a new acquaintance tells his name, it is accepted as true, based on the assumption of mutual trust. As the relationship continues, it grows stronger through consistent truthfulness. Without the confidence of truth in a relationship, the relationship will not survive for long.

In Scripture, God is always true to His word. When He speaks, He speaks truth. There are things that God has not revealed to mankind, yet they are withheld according to His wisdom. So, His revelation to man is true and complete, though it may not be exhaustive. (How could we even understand all that God could reveal?)

In light of God’s intimate relationship with truth, what does he expect of created man?

In short, God expects truth. When we speak, we must speak according to reality.

Esau, the older of the twin sons of Isaac, expected to receive from his father the blessing and the birthright. The birthright was a double-portion of the physical inheritance. The blessing pertained to the future and was prophetic in nature. The oldest son was promised preeminence in the family. Blessings were given in regard to position, rule, dominion, strength, longevity, prosperity and relationships.

Isaac was Abraham’s son of promise and he received both the birthright and the blessing. However when he was old and ready to pronounce the coveted blessing on His son Esau, Jacob stole the blessing from his father by pretending to be Esau.

Later Isaac realized Jacob’s deception. However, the only thing he could say to Esau was, “He shall be blessed.” Isaac could not undo what had been done. He could not take back the things he had said as a blessing to Jacob even though Jacob’s deception was unfair.

Isaac live by a code of truth. Whatever a man spoke, it was regarded as set and unchangeable. That was how he established good character. It was the basic ingredient of integrity . It was how relationships were built and maintained.

People have devised all kinds of ways to hide their lies: deception, half-truth, white lie, clever marketing, loop-hole, etc. Yet, a lie is a lie.

Just as it is with God, man is expected to speak truth. Whenever you or I speak, it should be as firm and representative of reality as God’s word in creation. We must not play games with words to hide lies. A lie hides or obscures truth. It violates the most basic element on which relationships are built.

Why is lying sinful? A lie stands against reality and opposes the very nature of God.

Mark Stinnett

February 26, 2023

Which Way Should They Go?

Our Hebrew teacher entered the classroom and said something that stung our minds. We had learned enough Hebrew to work through a passage, though not read it fluently. He seemed confident that we could open our Hebrew text and verify what he said.

Our teacher turned to one of the most well-known verses on discipline in the Bible, the often quoted Proverbs 22:6. He went on to tell us that the translators of the King James Version (KJV) had not provided a literal translation, but a logical conclusion. In the KJV the verse reads:

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

I had heard this verse quoted many times in my youth and applied in a rather harsh and judgmental way. It was always interpreted as a virtual guarantee for training children: Train your children right, according to God’s way, and they will always remain faithful.

Whenever this verse came up in a Bible class you could be sure to hear an objection. Someone would give a personal testimony about a family that he/she knew who had brought up their children in the Lord’s way; and yet, one or more of the children were unfaithful to God.

At that point the class went one of two directions. The teacher would either toy with the verse until he had changed its meaning, or he would staunchly inform the person with the testimonial that they were probably not correct in their assessment of the family.

In the end, the verse became a judgmental indictment against all parents who had a child that had turned away from the Lord. Clearly the child had not been trained up in the way he should go. As a result, many parents have felt guilt over a child who is not faithful to God.

My Hebrew teacher suggested something different. So, my classmates and I dove into the text to see what nugget of wisdom lay there.

The word translated train is not the usual Hebrew term for training. In fact, at its root it meant to start out or dedicate. It was used in the dedication of a house and also the Lord’s temple built by Solomon.

The next phrase of interest is “in the way he should go.” Many modern translations show the literal translation in a footnote: “according to his way,” with the pronoun his referring back to the child. One modern translation, the Christian Standard Bible, reflects the literal translation: 

Start out a youth on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.

Two other proverbs support this translation:

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel. 

—Proverbs 12:15

The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. 

—Proverbs 29:15

Solomon was not issuing a guarantee that a good upbringing will assure faithfulness to God. Rather, he was sounding a strong warning. A child who starts out in life going his own way will continue that way for life. For that reason parents must be alert to this call for discipline. We must not instill in our children to chase their dreams or follow their hearts. Rather we must instruct, correct, rebuke and discipline according to the Lord’s way.

As long as our children are in our care we must turn them from their own way. Discipline will be our friend and give hope to our children.

Mark Stinnett

February 19, 2023

Benefits of Discipline in the Home

Out of a skewed sense of love some parents cater to every whim of their child. They believe that answering “Yes” to every desire shows love. However, a skewed sense of love teaches the child a skewed sense of reality. The child is not the center of the universe. The child is not entitled. The child is not deserving.

God desires people to be selfless, not selfish. He wants us to look out for the interests of others, not just ourselves. He wants us to be like Christ. (Philippians 2:4)

Discipline is the tool parents use to teach sharing, thoughtfulness, kindness, and service. “No” is often a more loving answer than “Yes,” at least when teaching the ideals of God.

Some have thought that a person free from restraint will prove to be highly creative. However, history bears out the opposite. The greatest discoveries and inventions have been the products of persistence and determination in overcoming obstacles, nature’s way of saying, “No.”

Parents, discipline is a key element in the development of creativity in a child. It helps them to understand how do deal with obstacles and limitations in life and to form a disciplined lifestyle. That self-discipline will also help them to excel in doing good works and ministering to others as God desires. (Ephesians 2:10)

Undisciplined children tend to have a skewed sense of self-importance. They expect things to work out in their favor. They expect others to make sacrifices for them. They might have a sense of benevolence, but prefer to use the resources of others instead of their own.

Discipline is a key element in teaching a strong work ethic, patience while saving money, self-sacrifice, and generosity toward others. God teaches His children to work so that they will have something to share with those in need. (Ephesians 4:28)

There are often natural consequences, such as a blister on the finger when touching a hot surface. However, not all actions in life come with immediate consequences. For example, telling a lie might go unnoticed without consequences. Saving money has no immediate reward. One function of parental discipline is to teach a child bout consequences when natural consequences are not immediate.

When, through discipline, consequences are learned, justice is taught, laying the groundwork for understanding mercy. Patience is taught, laying the groundwork for understanding hope.

To avoid conflict, many parents make sacrifices of time, money and effort. They buy what their child wants. They go where their child wants. They do what their child wants. Everything revolves around the child getting his/her way. The child becomes head of the house.

God wants children to obey their parents. Children are to honor their father and mother. (Ephesians 6:1-2) If parents do not insist on obedience and honor through proper discipline, their children will not learn to honor and obey any other authority including God himself. Discipline will save a child’s soul.

Discipline in the home teaches children how to walk in righteousness. It should not be viewed as a mere biblical command, but rather an essential key to life!

Cease listening to discipline, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

—Proverbs 19:27

Mark Stinnett

February 12, 2023

Why Should I Discipline My Child?

Because of the instruction I read in the Bible, I am quite confident that the controversy over child discipline did not begin in the 20th century. Nevertheless, questions remain, and far too many parents replace God’s instruction with past experiences as a child, things learned in college, compelling opinions of family, friends and the Internet, and personal opinion.

At its simplest form, discipline is instruction. However, depending on the importance of the instruction and the willingness of the child to learn, instruction might take on other forms.

• Sometimes instruction includes hands-on training in which a child is shown how to do something and then tries to do it.
• When instruction fails, yet a child is being cooperative, correction may be necessary.
• When instruction and simple correction are unsuccessful, a child might need a verbal reprimand or rebuke. This is stronger correction by drawing attention to the child’s mistake or poor attitude. A wise parent will follow rebuke with positive encouragement.

It is wonderful when a child learns with simple verbal instruction, correction and, if necessary, rebuke. However, that is not always the case, as every parent knows. When verbal discipline fails, discipline must be elevated to some kind of physical discipline.

Physical discipline is any form of discipline that changes a child’s physical circumstances. Two broad categories might be considered

1. The removal of privileges or expected benefits, such as:

• Removal of toys;
• No dessert after a meal;
• Reduced phone usage;
• Severely restricted curfew;
• Not attending a social function/event;
• Removal of bedroom door (privacy);
• Restrictions on driving;
• Stop allowance for a specified time.

2. Adding responsibilities or unwanted discomfort, such as:

• Smack the back of the child’s hand;
• Add chores for a specified time;
• Assign a sibling’s responsibilities temporarily;
• Change bedroom arrangement;
• Walk to school (if sensible).

Only a lack of creativity limits physical discipline. And yes, spanking belongs in this category. Spanking, though controversial, is effective when administered properly. A parent must never spank in anger, must only spank as a form of discipline, not punishment, and must provide gentle and loving instruction afterward.

All of these disciplinary forms are rooted in biblical instruction. In the book of Proverbs discipline is stressed in the Hebrew word musar. It included instruction, correction, rebuke, and physical discipline.

The purpose of musar was never that of justice. Rather, musar (discipline) was administered so that a child would walk in the way of God. The purpose of discipline is to keep a child from going his own way, the way of destruction. Discipline is meant to save a child’s soul.

Consider:

He will die for lack of instruction (musar), And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray. 

—Proverbs 5:23

He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines (musar) him diligently. 

—Proverbs 13:24

Why should you discipline your child?

Because you love your child.

Mark Stinnett

February 5, 2023