November 5, 2024 7:00 pm
Cinematography? Well done. Soundtrack? Reflective and calming. Content? Intriguing and relatable. The video presented a study in which Redwood trees were injected with a substance similar to adrenaline to keep them from going dormant. The injected trees died because they weren’t allowed the natural cycle of “wintering.”
The video’s message was that this can happen to us as well if we’re always in production mode with no seasons of rest. In one sense, it is true. But the video was inaccurate. There never was such a study. Redwoods are evergreens and never go dormant. And the trees in the video were giant Sequoias not coastal Redwoods. As thoughtful as the video seemed to be, it was based on falsehoods.
We find ourselves living in an age where, due to our technologies, lies are magnified and multiplied to the limits of convincing us they’re true. The book of Proverbs, that compendium of godly wisdom, speaks often of the stark difference between truth and lies. “Truthful lips endure forever,” says the proverb, “but a lying tongue lasts only a moment” (12:19). And the very next adage tells us, “Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy” (v. 20).
Honesty applies to everything from God’s commands to videos about wintering. The truth “endures forever.”
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So glad you can join me for today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.
John Blaise wrote today's reading, and he titled it, Almost True is Still False. Cinematography? Well done. Soundtrack? Reflective and calming. Content?
Intriguing and relatable. The video presented a study in which redwood trees were injected with a substance similar to adrenaline to keep them from going dormant. The injected trees died because they weren't allowed the natural cycle of wintering. The video's message was that this can happen to us as well if we're always busy with no seasons of rest. And that can be true. But the video was inaccurate.
There never was such a study. Redwoods are evergreens and never go dormant. And the trees in the video were giant sequoias, not coastal redwoods. As thoughtful as the video seemed to be, it was based on falsehoods. We find ourselves living in an age where, due to our technologies, lies are magnified and multiplied to the limits of convincing us they're true. The Book of Proverbs, that compendium of godly wisdom, speaks often of the stark difference between truth and lies. Truthful lips endure forever, says Proverbs 12, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. And the very next adage tells us, Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. Honesty applies to everything, from God's commands to videos about wintering. The truth endures forever.
The scripture reading for today's devotional is from Proverbs 12, verses 17 through 20. An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. Would you spend a few moments in prayer with me? Dear Lord, help us to discern truth from falsehood and to always choose the path of honesty. Guide us to be bearers of truth in all aspects of our lives. May we find joy in promoting peace through truthfulness, remembering that your truth endures forever and brings light to a world often clouded by deceit. We love you, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Thanks so much for listening today. I'm Stephen Tabor and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Whisper: medium.en / 2024-11-05 20:37:31 / 2024-11-05 20:38:55 / 1
