September 15

Day 185: Denial

Denial. I perhaps live in such denial that I don't even know to the extent I do.

Fall is here. I easily deny this (most every year), and easily resort to thinking summer continues. Because the calendar says summer doesn't officially start until September 21. Because I am a fan of summer. But I live in Alaska. I can deny fall's arrival all I want, but it doesn't change anything.

An early lesson all novice surfers learn, the hard way, is "Never turn your back to the waves." Otherwise, bad things happen. A novice surfer's denial of the presence of the next wave does not negate the next wave's impending presence and ability to knock one on one's nose.

I can deny that I am beholden. I can tell myself I am free from any constraints, or any vices, or any idols of the heart. Doesn't mean it's not true I am. We all tell ourselves little lies. Over time, those same little lies become a world view. We come to believe our lies, to which they eventually become our truths.

The Pharisees had developed a nice, tidy way of making public oaths, promises that included an unmentioned but not unknown loophole - swear on something "of God's," but not on God Himself. To "insure" the veracity of an oath, the oath-giver would swear on someone or something greater than himself.

This is akin to "I swear on a stack of Bibles." Meaning, I won't swear by God's Name, because that holds me to the promise. If I swear on something that sounds holy, an authority greater than myself, but not before God Himself, I can still hold on to an out clause.

In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus addresses these false loopholes head on. He attacks the prevalent usage of swearing on "substitutes" so the one making an oath would appear to others as serious and committed, while that same person didn't intend to be held to the oath, or to fulfill that oath.

Because they thought this to be the way to avoid any punishment that followed lying to God. As a rebuttal, Jesus says, "Heaven is the throne of God; earth is His footstool; Jerusalem is His city."

Instead, Jesus gives them an alternative. "Let what you say be simply "Yes" or "No;" anything more than this comes from evil."

In other words, just tell the truth. Sounds simple enough, but He leaves no room for loopholes, for any out clauses. If we make a promise, it's always before God. So commit yourself to the promise, and fulfill the oath you made. Marriage fidelity is a good example.

I recall an SNL skit (years ago, back when the show wasn't totally filthy) where everyone in the sketch told the brutal truth of what they were thinking to (and about) each other. It was funny, because no one would want to live with that much truth.

Jesus knows this of us. So the loophole He gives is simply this: Don't make promises you have no intention of keeping. Instead, it's okay to keep your mouth shut. No words spoken, no obligations taken on board.

As I devote part of this day to recording a sermon on "Envy," I will also be forced to explore the dark reaches of my heart where I provide safe haven to things I deny. Things I think I need, but don't. Things I don't think I need, but do. Even promises I've made, but with loopholes I hope are attached.

Because my new life in Christ should be, and can be free of denial. And the church should be, and can be a people who believe and tell the truth.

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau