Most of my life I have been surrounded by individuals that lie. It started when I was a child. I grew up watching people I loved lie in order to get what they wanted. Every time I witnessed someone lying, I knew I never wanted to be one of those people because they were constantly hurting others.
I wasn’t perfect and I can remember very clearly the times I lied to avoid the consequences of my own choices. In the moment it seemed like a good idea but the Holy Spirit would quickly remind me that it was wrong and needed to be made right.
Now, as I reflect on my past, I realize that a long time ago I made the conscious effort to be an honest person. I always felt this was an honorable trait until it dawned on me that I had become a coward.
A few months ago as I was studying God’s word and trying to heal from some of the damages done to my soul by the liars in my life, God revealed to me that when you find a liar you will find someone close to them that is a coward.
Having no clue what he was trying to teach me, I started digging a little deeper. I discovered that a coward is defined as one who is too afraid to do what is right or expected: one who is not brave: one who fears many things. I then went straight to scripture to see what the Bible has to say about cowards.
From the moment I was saved, I knew it was a sin to lie but until God shared this revelation with me, it never dawned on me that being afraid was seen in the same light. Revelation 21:7-8 says, “He who overcomes the world by adhering faithfully to Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior will inherit these things, and I will be His God and he will by My son. But as for the cowards and unbelieving and abominable who are devoid of character and personal integrity and practice or tolerate immorality, and murderers, and sorcerers with intoxicating drugs, and idolaters and occultists who practice and teach false religions, and all the liars who knowingly deceive and twist truth, their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” As a coward, my fate was the same fate as the liars whom I had spent my life trying to run away from and disassociate myself with.
It then became crystal clear that I spent a huge portion of my life being a coward. I hid behind the lies and deceit, afraid of so many things. What would the liar do to me if I confronted them? Would they convince others that I was actually the one lying in order to take the focus off of themselves? Would they make up lies about me to look superior by comparison? The answer was yes but God says it doesn’t matter. My trust in Him is not based on the actions of others. I trust because He is faithful and He will protect me.
We live in a day and age where the enemy is convincing the multitudes that there is no such thing as absolute truth. It is watered down and leading many down a path of destruction. As Christ followers we are called to speak the truth in love and if we sit back afraid to do so, we are no better than the liars.
God is preparing us for a battle. A battle that can only be won through faith, without fear, and based on truth that can only be found in His word. We can either choose to put on His armor and be brave warriors or sit on the sidelines as a cowards.
Dear God,
Thank you for your wisdom. Please give those of us that struggle with fear the courage to step out in faith, ready to fight the good fight. Give us a sense of peace and lead us to the battlefield if the is your will.
In Your Sweet & Precious Name,
Amen!
Shannon Vaut 