We all hate being lied to. It causes us to base our lives on erroneous information. We feel so cheated when we find out that someone has lied to us. Especially someone who is our friend. We put our trust in them and their words and they let us down.

All trust is built on truth and honesty. If people don’t tell us the truth all the time, we can no longer trust them. All they have to do is lie some of the time and we don’t know when that is going to be. Even if they almost never lie. We still can’t trust them. When will the lie come? Will it be at a crucial moment? Are they lying right now? Why do people make up contracts and swear oaths? To make those particular words legally binding, or, to give credibility to what they are saying.

2 Cor 5:20 (NIV) We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, AS THOUGH God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

1 Pet 4:11 (NIV) If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

The only way we can minister like this is to completely give ourselves over to the truth and attitudes of Jesus found in Matthew 5:3-12. We have to yield to Jesus and allow Him to say what He wants said.

Mark 1:27 (NIV) The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey Him.”  

Mat 7:28-29 (NIV) When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as One Who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.