The prophet Jeremiah is arguing with God about the judgement He is bringing on His people. God outlines for Jeremiah the why He is bringing judgement.
Jeremiah 9:4-5, 6, 7-9
Beware of your friends;
do not trust your brothers.
For every brother is a deceiver,
and every friend a slanderer.
5 Friend deceives friend,
and no one speaks the truth.
They have taught their tongues to lie; …
6 You live in the midst of deception; …
7 Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says:
“See, I will refine and test them,
for what else can I do
because of the sin of my people?
8 Their tongue is a deadly arrow;
it speaks with deceit.
With his mouth each speaks cordially to his neighbor,
but in his heart he sets a trap for him.
9 Should I not punish them for this?”
declares the Lord.
God brings judgment, and one of the big reasons is lying and deceit against God and especially against each other.
Let’s repeat verse 9:
Should I not punish them for this?”
declares the Lord.
God hates lying, deceit, and passive-aggressive behaviour. He sees and knows how it destroys.
What is our response?
Do we deceive? Are we lying? Do we trap others? Are we passive-aggressive with others? Do we act nice and then slander? Are our tongues deadly arrows?
Have we taught our tongues to lie?
Father, forgive us. Father, help us live in truth. Help us love each other. Help us to be honest with each other. Help us not to justify our lying, our being cordial. Help us to be sincere. If we have an issue with each other may we go to each other and make it right. Help us to live in truth, forgiveness, and love for each other.
Father, may we be like you.
