Colossians 3:9-10
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
The sounds of loud fireworks are still ringing in my ears. Long into the night last night people were igniting fireworks of every description — the louder the better, or so they thought.
It reminded me of an incident when I was a police officer in Nampa, Idaho. I was attending college during the day and working at the department at night. I usually worked on the front desk as dispatcher.
Earlier in the evening the officers had been called to a park because someone had fired off a loud aerial firework. It was the kind that had a base charge that sent a very loud salute high into the air where it would explode. Three of the salutes had not gone off.
About 3:00 a.m. the shift sergeant who was in command came into the station. We talked about the salutes and how loud they must have sounded. One thing led to another and we convinced ourselves (in great hilarity) that it was our duty as law enforcement officers to neutralize that terrible device.
Laughing like a couple of school boys, we took it out in front of the City Hall and lit the fuse. We almost fell on the steps as we were laughing so hard. I have never heard anything so loud in all my life as those three explosions. Fireworks my eye, they sounded like dynamite.
Immediately the switch-board lit up as concerned citizens wanted to know if they were in danger. One of the calls was from the Chief of Police. Now here is where I did one of my song and dance acts that was intended to tell the truth and not tell the truth at the same time.
I asked the Chief, “What direction did the explosions sound like they were coming from?” He responded, “From downtown.” I innocently said, “That’s what all of the others are saying as well. We are checking it out, Sir.” Beep, Cecil! A lie is a lie!
Someone squealed and I was called into the Chief’s Office the next day where he read the riot act to me. I was sure I was going to be fired when he started to laugh and told about one of his silly pranks when he was a young officer.
I want to make the point that we can lie even if the facts may be true, but we are leading people to a wrong conclusion. The Chief may have let me off with a warning, but the Lord convicted me of my sin and I had no peace until I repented.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com