King David knew the importance of truth telling in speech and behaviour. He was aware that such actions strengthen community living for common good. Deception and lies destroy relationships. Therefore, in the midst of wayward people, David called upon God for help, saying “the godly are no more, the faithful have vanished from among men. Everyone lies to his neighbour, their flattering lips speaks with deception” (Ps. 12:1).
David is reassured that God will judge the oppressors. “Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” And the words of the Lord are flawless, “like silver refined in a furnace of clay purified seven times” (Ps. 12: 5-6).
The powerful use lies and deception to mislead and put down the weak and needy for personal gain. No wonder the word of God states, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight” (Pro. 12:22).
In conversation between humans and God, the Lord always has the last word. God not only has the last word, but the “flawless” character of His words illustrates transparency in God. What God says reveals who He is.
The Lord wants to know us intimately as well. But exposing our inner selves is difficult; steeped in societal expectation of a good front we are well masked. God knows, of course, all there is to know about us. However, He still desires a relationship with us in which we open our lives fully to Him, as God revealed Himself to us in the person and work of Jesus Christ. God wants us to know ourselves and each other with the same vulnerability and transparency that led Jesus Christ to be a sacrifice and pay the price for our wayward life on the cross. How open are you in your relationship with God?