GALATIANS 1:20
“(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)”
Have those words (I am not lying) ever come out of your mouth? If you are like most people, they probably have at some point. Maybe you were telling an incredible tale that most people would not believe. Perhaps you were defending yourself from a false allegation. I think of our U.S. courts that swear you in by asking you respond to the question – Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (they used to include “so help me God” but not anymore)? I wonder how the court would respond if you said, “Heck no, I am going to lie the whole time.”
Obviously other stories of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem had circulated in the Galatian churches. Perhaps someone said that Paul got all his instructions from the apostles. Maybe they were saying Paul had no authority to teach. So, Paul explains that he only met with Peter and James on this trip. The word Paul uses here for “lying” means to willingly misrepresent, to deceive. It was important for Paul to make it clear he was not doing that.
APPLICATION
We shouldn’t be surprised when the enemy falsely accuses us. Look at Matthew 5:11-12 from the Beatitudes. “11 ‘Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’”
In other words, we are in good company. People more spiritual than us have been falsely accused. Jesus Himself was falsely accused by those who wanted Him gone. We just have to keep telling the truth. In John 8:31-32, Jesus tells us the importance of the truth. “31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
Yes, we may have to defend ourselves from time to time. But if we are living according to His truth, He will defend us. He will give us the words to say. He will give us His words of truth to say. That’s what matters the most. We can honestly say “I am not lying” by living according to the truth each and every day.
You are the truth, Lord. Show me how to walk in it daily.