Wednesday Bible Study: Lying to myself part V

 

I have two last stops to make with you on this journey through lies and lying- and they are the extremes of the spectrum.  The one side we can find in 1 Kings 19.  Elijah has just spectacularly defeated the prophets of Baal on the mountain, and perhaps he thought that this victory would do a sweeping work and turn all hearts back to God.  Instead, Queen Jezebel pronounced a death sentence on him.  And he fled.

I don't know that Elijah lied to himself as much as he expected what he wanted, rather than what God was working towards.  As a result though, he began to tell himself things that skirted the edges of truth.  First part of that:

1Ki 19:4  But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 

Self-pity and false humility.  Taking the blame for the mass conversion he didn't get on himself, instead of remembering the whole thing was in God's hand.  In a way, he was saying the opposite of what he was thinking: "I am supposed to be better than them; why did I fail?"

But the Lord doesn't let him get off that easy.  Twice he is asked, and twice he replies:

1Ki 19:9  There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

1Ki 19:10  He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 

Note that this occurs after he has been strengthened by God with food and rest.  The self-pity is gone, but it leaves an underlying false assumption: that he somehow failed, that he is all alone, despite being zealous for the Lord.

But here's the thing:  God has not let control of the situation slip from His hands. That, beyond anything else, should have been the forefront of Elijah's thinking; and God answers him on that basis:

1Ki 19:15  And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 

1Ki 19:16  And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 

1Ki 19:17  And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 

Here, God doesn't pat him on the back or give him the pity he seems to be seeking.  He gives Elijah his next set of assignments- first to the Gentile world, then to the people of Israel, and then to Elijah himself.  God's way of telling him to get out of himself, and go to the outside world- and work his way back to what God Himself will provide for him.  God shows him three things:  He has a job for him in the wider world.  He has a plan for him in his close circle.  And he has a plan about to be fulfilled for him.  Then, and only then, does God address the object of his self-pity:

1Ki 19:18  Yet I have left seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him. 

God hasn't left him alone at all.  And this same thing- the plans, and the promise- apply to us, as well.  The lie is, "What can one person do?"  The truth is, "I have a plan and a promise for you."

Our other extreme comes from hundreds of years later, after Christ has returned to heaven, and the Apostles are building the church.  But they are new at this- and they are just learning to pick out the wolves in sheep's clothing.  The story:  A couple of disguised wolves, Ananais and his wife Sapphira, saw how men such as Barnabas were growing in esteem as they sell off what they don't need and give the money to the Apostles to divide for the good of the church.  But instead of feeling a Spirit-led desire to do the same out of love for the brethren, they are inspired to kinda do the same so they can get the notoriety of a man like Barnabas.  Problem being, they wanted to get the low-cost version of the praise.  They sold a property at one price, kept some of the funds back for themselves.  Which would have been fine, but they made out like they were giving the whole amount.

Act 5:3  But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart for you to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 

Act 5:4  While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own authority? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God. 

Act 5:5  And hearing these words, Ananias fell down and expired. And great fear came on all those who heard these things. 

Act 5:6  And the younger ones arose, wound him up, and carrying him out, they buried him. 

Act 5:7  And it was about the space of three hours afterward, when his wife (not knowing what was done) came in. 

Act 5:8  And Peter answered her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much. 

Act 5:9  Then Peter said to her, How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door and they will carry you out. 

Act 5:10  Then at once she fell down at his feet and expired. And the younger ones found her dead, and, carrying her out, buried her beside her husband. 

Act 5:11  And great fear came on all the church and on as many as heard these things. 

Now, look at the contrast.  Elijah, inasmuch as his lie was to himself, but his heart was right with God, was moved by God past the lie- though not the consequences- and received reward in the end.  Ananais and Sapphira lied to GOD- and there was NO recovery from that.

Does this mean "I better be careful what I say to God, or He'll strike me down"?  Not necessarily, or we'd have a lot of dead bodies hearabouts!  But what you DO need to keep in mind is this:

Gal 6:7  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he also will reap. 

Consider saying one thing to God and doing another. He sees what you do, and He knows your heart.  He's not like the American people, whom a politician can lie to to get votes and take money for his lies behind closed doors.  For me, I need to make sure any lies to myself are only to myself, and that I ask God to reveal me in the light, so I no longer act on them.