FAITH CAPSULE: “In sin there is no grade. No small lying or big lying, but all lying is sin.”

Luke 22:31-62

Among acclaimed believers in the Word of God, lying, deception and manipulation are conspicuous in every area of daily interaction. Also, unbelievers cannot be excused from being identified with lying, deception and manipulation. The three are without doubt agents of the wicked one; the father of all lies. As a believer, if you will be honest with yourself, search and see if any of the three lodges within you. The truth about the three is that if you are a liar you can be very true to yourself that deception and manipulation does have a part in you as well. It can be concluded that none of the three (lying, deception manipulation) can be separated from each other because they belong to the same master. Just as lying is lying, so is deception is deception and manipulation is manipulation. In sin there is no grade. No small lying or big lying, but all lying is sin. However, sinful acts do not discriminate as to who to activate themselves in. Jesus once predicted, “…Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. But he said to Him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.’ Then He said, ’I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.’” (Luke 22:31-34) Indeed and in truth, just as it was predicted by Jesus, so it was when Peter denied Jesus three times before the cock crowed. The point here is that if Peter, who saw it all in Jesus, could deny Jesus in a deceptive way every believer should take a serious watch. When Peter was approached, he bluntly denied Jesus deceptively. In one of his denying response to a woman he stated, “Woman, I do not know Him.” (Luke 22:57) A clear deception was Peter’s way of relating to the Master. It can be concluded that lying or deception is a failed faith. The word of Jesus was true when He predicted the action of Peter and backed it up by stating, “I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail”. Consider how often you have been denying him by your ways of life around fellow believers and unbelievers. The good thing about Peter was that he came out of it and did not remain trapped in the sinful act. We can always come out just like Peter did if there is sincere repentance in our hearts and actions. However, we are not to continue in sin that grace may be abounded. (Romans 6:1-2)

Prayer for today: Today I ask O Lord my God help me and do not allow my faith to fail.