How does Leviticus 19:11 guide us in our daily interactions with others? The Call to Love through Truth “You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another.” Why This Verse Matters Today • God’s holiness shapes how we treat people. • Truth-telling protects community relationships and reflects His character (Numbers 23:19; John 14:6). • Dishonesty fractures trust and denies the sufficiency of God’s provision. Three Clear Boundaries 1. Stealing • Any taking—time, credit, property, purity of another’s reputation—violates love (Ephesians 4:28). 2. Lying • Spoken or written falsehood, half-truth, exaggeration, or hiding facts (Proverbs 12:22). 3. Deceiving • Manipulating impressions, shading motives, misleading through silence, forging images online (Psalm 24:4). Daily Applications • Conversations – Answer texts, emails, and face-to-face questions honestly, even when inconvenient (Ephesians 4:25). • Business & Work – Bill accurately, report hours truthfully, keep contracts, credit co-workers fairly (Proverbs 16:11). • Finances – Avoid under-the-table deals, inflated insurance claims, or “justifying” little thefts from employers (Luke 16:10). • Online Presence – Post real photos, cite sources, resist spreading unverified stories or slander (Exodus 23:1). • Promises – Say “yes” or “no” and keep it; avoid over-committing or people-pleasing untruths (Matthew 5:37). • Restitution – Where theft or deceit has occurred, make things right quickly (Luke 19:8). Heart Checks that Keep Us Honest • Contentment: Trust God’s provision instead of grabbing for ourselves (Hebrews 13:5). • Fear of the Lord: Remember every word is spoken before Him (Psalm 139:4). • Love of Neighbor: Value others enough to guard their property, reputation, and peace of mind (Romans 13:10). New-Covenant Echoes • “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self” (Colossians 3:9). • “Put away falsehood… speak truthfully to your neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). • “Keep your conduct honorable… so they may see your good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12). Living It Out 1. Start each day asking God to search your heart for hidden deceit (Psalm 139:23-24). 2. Invite accountability—spouse, friend, mentor—to speak up when they spot inconsistency. 3. Memorize Leviticus 19:11 and recite it before key meetings, purchases, or posts. 4. Celebrate God’s faithfulness; gratitude fuels honesty by breaking greed’s grip. 5. When you fall, confess quickly to God and the person wronged; restore what was lost. Walking in truth not only honors the Lord but also builds the kind of trustworthy relationships that point others to Him. |
    |