TO WHOM WILL YOU LISTEN?

We allow the words of men to bring confusion and despair to our lives. 

We seem more concerned about the things we hear in the news 

than the promises we read in God’s Word. 

We allow the wicked words of man to invade our minds,
instead of meditating on the pure words of the Lord. 

Psalm 12

                Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone;

                                for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.

                Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;

                                with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

                May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,

                                the tongue that makes great boasts,

                those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,

                                our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

                “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,

                                I will now arise,” says the LORD;

                                “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

                The words of the LORD are pure words,

                                like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,

                                purified seven times.

                You, O LORD, will keep them;

                                you will guard us from this generation forever.

                On every side the wicked prowl,

                                as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

This past week, Italian elections were held. In Italy, unlike the United States, there are several major parties. The results have left the country in a sad and confused state, as three parties received more or less the same amount of votes. One of these three parties is led by a man who, for many years, has been a stand-up comedian. Many of the young people voted for him as a sign of protest against the rest of the political spectrum. This sad situation is certainly a sign of a country where people are tired of lies, but really have no alternative.

In some ways, this psalm describes the same kind of world we live in. David is denouncing the fact that he is surrounded by wicked people. These people utter lies and are boastful in their talk. Even their words that seem appealing are flattering but not true. Have things changed that much today? We live in a wicked world, where people are driven by their personal interests, where lies are the norm. These lies are spoken to mislead or to flatter for personal gain. We listen to people, but wonder if they are telling the truth. In my job, most of my time is spent in gaining the trust of those to whom I am offering our services. We don’t trust easily because in our past experience we have trusted people who were proven  unworthy of our trust.

How can we survive in this kind of world without becoming cynical or disgruntled? We look around and we see the destruction caused by the lies of men. People are hurt and oppressed! With arrogance, men promote and defend their lies.

The psalmist shows us where the path of hope lies! Trusting the LORD! He is the One who can be trusted; He never lies or tries to fool man. His words are pure, and He is always faithful to His words.

We have, in our hands, a book filled with truth, filled with warnings, filled with promises that we can trust in fully.

David begins this psalm by asking God to intervene. He knows that God is aware of every word spoken and that God is the faithful judge of the veracity of those words.

David has learned to trust the promises, the purity, and the providence of God.

We, on the other hand, often allow the words of men to bring confusion and despair to our lives. We seem more concerned about the things we hear in news reports than the promises we read in God’s Word. We allow the wicked words of man to invade our minds, instead of meditating on the pure words of the Lord. We act as if we are victims of the actions of men, forgetting that we are covered and protected by the careful providence of our loving Father.

We look with fear at the wolves, when we can set our sights on the Good Shepherd. We live in fear instead of enjoying the peace that comes from God.

We risk being sucked into a world of lies, and live according to the standards of those who are trying to fool others. Even believers, at times, find themselves thinking that they need to lie, in order to survive in the world.

James 5:12

                But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Our reputation as believers should be one of truthfulness at all times. Our conversations should be trustworthy. We should not hide, spin, or exaggerate the facts. Our promises should be kept!

God will protect us from a world steeped in lies. He is the Provider. We do not need to be less than truthful in all we do and say.

We are surrounded by many voices. To whom will you choose to listen? What kind of thoughts do you allow your mind to be attracted by? What kind of counselors do you choose to speak into your ears?

Philippians 4:8

                Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Don’t get discouraged. Our heavenly Father will have the last word! And it will be glorious, true, and  eternal!