The author agonizes in Psalm 120, Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. Today’s Bible readings sandwich this prayer with brazen examples of lies and deceit.

Hophni and Phinehas served as priests to the Lord. Scoundrels, they stole sacrificial meat for themselves, and slept with women serving in the temple. God condemned their actions and brought them to an early demise. Their violations weave through I Samuel 1-4.

A breathtaking example of the Lord’s response to lying occurs in Acts 5. Ananias and Sapphira chose to lie about proceeds from property they sold and presented to the burgeoning Jesus movement.

They chose poorly.

Caught in the lie, one after the other collapsed and died at the feet of Peter, having not lied just to human beings but to God.

Does God take lying seriously? Apparently. Or to use a crude, more expressive phrase, No sh*t, Sherlock.

The sons of Eli used their priestly roles to abuse people seeking to worship the Lord. Ananias and Sapphira used their money to exalt themselves in front of people seeking to follow the Lord. Like a mother bear with her cubs, menace exists for those who get between sincere people and the Lord they seek.

Rather than put obstacles in the way, my role is to help those seeking the Lord move closer and deeper.

No lie.

Week sixteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Toa Heftiba