S143P6 – The fruit of truth: longevity
Pro. 12:19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Truth does not change. Some can argue semantics and philosophize well on the matter. They will point to changes in facts, circumstances or conditions, but those are not changes in truth. Perhaps there was a time when I was the youngest of all my friends. Perhaps times have changed, and that no longer remains the case. Certainly, that would be a change in facts. I used to be the youngest but now no longer am. However, that does not negate the truth that I once was the youngest. Barring an error making it untrue to begin with, that truth cannot be changed. It is a simple example of the longevity, the eternal nature of all truth. It is a historical record which cannot be edited.
We have discussed previously the different ways we can frame the adversarial nature of good and evil. We can call it flesh against spirit, light against darkness, or the perfect against the fallen. Another way we can frame it is eternal versus temporary. We know that evil, darkness and imperfection will not last forever. Likewise, deception is only here for a time. Every untruthful word ever spoken one day will pass away. Every lie will be exposed and done away with. What will remain is that which is true and right. The lips which utter truth have taken a stand on the side of truth. They have taken a stand on the side which leads to eternity. This is longevity which comes with confidence.
The eternal nature of truth will not change. When we speak for and stand on the truth, when we live in God’s truth, we can be confident of the words we say. If we believe what the scriptures tell us, there is no room for doubt. We can stand confidently on even the most uncomfortable truths of the Lord’s. Regardless of the opposition we might face for speaking that which comes from him, we know it is right and unchanging, so we speak it and live it, and that is the path of longevity for us. If, on the other hand, we live according to that which will pass away with every other evil of this world, we cannot expect eternity. Father, give us wisdom to cling to the eternal truth and to discern the temporary falsehoods which lead to no good end.