Liars Don't Produce Happiness
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
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Straight to the Cross
COLUMN: Field Notes
Liars Don't Produce Happiness
by Michael E. Brooks
"Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
but counselors of peace have joy" (Proverbs 12:20).
A short visit to a very tense Nepal last week
helped reinforce the above stated truths. After
several months of ceasefire and negotiations, the
Maoist insurgents of that nation have walked away
from the talks and resumed hostilities. What had
been planned as a two week long campaign to rural
eastern Nepal was changed of necessity to a four
day visit to the capital, Kathmandu, to transact
necessary business.
My impression of the attitude of the Nepali people
was disturbing. I found much more nervousness and
apprehension than on previous visits. My trip
coincided with the beginning of the major Hindu
festival, Dashain, and just after we arrived the
rebel forces declared an eleven day truce, to
enable people to travel to their homes to
celebrate the holiday. But there was little trust
that they would honor the truce. We held brief
classes, but there was much concern about
traveling even within the relative safety of the
capital city.
The author of Proverbs pairs two sets of
characteristics: lies go with evil; joy
accompanies the search for peace. Those whose aim
is harm and wickedness have no moral or other
compunctions against deceitfulness. Conversely,
those whose character permits them to lie easily
are likely to find that other evils are equally
attractive. Rebels who will rob, rape, and kill
their own people are not to be trusted. Period. No
matter the philosophical justification, their
deeds are evil, and such people will bring no
happiness to anyone, including themselves.
On the other hand, the message of peace brings
great joy. I am convinced that genuine Christians
are always and inevitably the world's happiest
people. They alone know real peace in every
dimension. Peace with self, with others, and with
God. Eternal security, without doubt, fear or
worry. And they take that message of peace to the
world around them. The joy they obtain is not
something they strive for, but the gift which is
given by a generous and loving Father to those who
do his will. It comes from two sources. First, the
act of seeking peace produces satisfaction and
contentment, which are the fundamental components
of happiness. Second, God gives joy as a reward
for obedience.
Peace and joy are combined in a beautiful New
Testament passage, Philippians 4:4-7. Paul begins
by instructing his readers to Rejoice, and
concludes the paragraph by promising that "the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds…" How can we have
joy without the security of real peace. How can
anyone who is truly at peace, fail to be happy?
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