Do You Fear God?

Exodus 1:15-22

• Ethical dilemmas are very difficult. That’s why they are called ethical dilemmas
• Do you report a co-worker who is fudging their time card? Report a hit and run crime you witness? Tell a loved one the truth about their illness? Tell if you get wrong change? Turn in found money? Does your business tell people other reasons why they are let go? Do you take the lifeboat for yourself or give it to a child? Do you take the seat or give the seat up?
• Some of you its an easy answer, some of them aren’t easy to answer. 
• We’re Christians. We’re held to a different standard. God is watching. He knows what we do, what we think, how we act. What we do and what we don’t do. When we respond and when we don’t. There is nothing that God does not know
• Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
• So we get this story- The pharoah tells the midwives to kill the male children, they defy him, let the children live and then lie to him about why. God blesses them for their defiance. 

1. When defiance is acceptable

• The Bible is very clear that lying is wrong and that’s not what Christians should do
• Pr 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination Pro 6:18 says God hates liars Ps 101:7 says no one who practices deceit will dwell in God’s house Col 3:9 says do not lie to one another John 8:44 says Satan is the father of lies Rev 21:8 says liars have their place in the lake of fire. The 9^th commandment is to not bear false witness. Jesus says to let your Yes be yes
• But then we come to this scripture, and we clearly see these women lying to pharoah
• 1: 19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.”
• It’s a lie. They are not telling the truth. They are being deceptive. Not following his edict. 
• Now, some would say, well, just cause it’s in there, doesn’t mean that it’s the right thing to do-
• But its clear that God blessed them in their deception
• Ex 1:20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. 21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.
• It’s somewhat confusing. It goes back to when I was teaching about hermeneutics and the absolutes that people want to espouse that aren’t that clear in scripture
• Lying is wrong. It says you’ll go to Hell for it, but we see some blessed deception in the Bible. 
• A woman named Rahab deceived the kings messengers. She protected the Israelite spies who came to Jericho. She lied and said the spies had left the city. 
• Jacob deceived his father, stole Esau’s birthright, and eventually God blessed the descendants of Jacob, in spite of him using deception to gain the birthright
• Michal deceived Saul. She was his daughter. Saul was seeking to kill David her husband, and she deceived her own fathers messengers. David escaped because of her deception
• Jonathan did the same thing, deceived Saul to save his friend David’s life. 
• Not only did these women not tell the full truth, they also were in disobedience to their ruler. 
• They were told to kill the male children and they didn’t, and then covered it up with lies
• They defied the civil authorities to honor God and do what was right to God and not man
• Rom 13:1 says be subject to the governing authorities Titus 3:1 Be submissive to rulers and authorities 1 Peter 2 be subject to every human institution, emperor, and governor
• But there’s more defiance in the bible- The parents of Moses hid him for 3 years, Elijah resisted king Ahab, Mordecai did not bow to Haman, Jeremiah defied  the Jewish authorities, Daniel defied the king, Shadrach Meschach and Abendego defied the king, The Wise men defied King Herod, Jesus and his disciples broke the sabbath and picked grain, Paul and Silas kept preaching, 
• So the question is, is it ever ok to lie and deceive others? 
• I think most of us at some time have told a lie. We call them ‘white lies’ “oh I’m busy that day” You don’t want to go “We had a great time” No you didn’t “The food is great” no its not “Traffic was horrible” No it wasn’t you were late “That looks great on you” no it don’t 
• This is an ethical dilemma. Should a Christian have told the Nazi they had jews in their floor boards? Do you lie to the government to go to Church during a pandemic? Do you lie to keep a surprise for a party? Do you lie to employer that you’re looking for another job? Do you lie to your pastor when he asks you if you’re doing ok? Is there ever a time its ok to deceive?
• Here’s what the Bible also says
• Romans 3:7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.
• Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 
• Don’t forget- some people lied and were struck dead and some go to Hell for it. 
• Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
• This isn’t a message about how to deceive, I’m just being honest with the text. 
• So what’s the standard? There is a specific general rule, but clear biblical exceptions
• One- When Saving innocent lives. Pulling out slaves. Keeping people from abortion. Hiding people from death. Lying about knowing where Christians are worshipping. Etc. LIE its OK
• Two- When it goes against the word of God and his clearly stated demands. I will meet. I will worship. I will give. I will serve, love, fellowship etc. God has a major plan and I am required to submit to his plan
• Here’s the major issue associated with it- You cannot live in this struggle if you do not know God, and know his word- you can not discern the will of God if you do not know God. 
• Rule followers do not like this message, because they just want to live in a rule. They love the rule. Those who have deceit in their heart, love the opportunity to deceive
• During covid- Health department demanded me to tell who all the people were in our church to contract trace them. I didn’t lie- but I defied them. “I will not give them if you arrest me” 
• This is the first year, are they arresting? Quarantine? Fines? Public shaming? I’m not helping. 
• Not only do I have a constitutional right against self incrimination, I have no biblical requirement to offer up those who are under my spiritual care. 
• Here is the ultimate question that influences all of this

2. Do you fear God

• Some people live with a healthy fear of God, and some don’t. They live how ever. 
• The Bible says- Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
• You cannot have any wisdom on what you should do and how you should live without a healthy fear of God. You must have a fear of him. A reverence. An understanding of who he is
• People misconstrue this idea of fear- They think of it as if they are afraid of snakes, spiders, or a bully. No. Fear of God is respect of God. His awesomeness and power and holiness. 
• You should fear someone with a blade, unless its in the hand of a surgeon
• I am not afraid of the Police. They do not scare me- but I fear them, I know what they can do
• My kids grew up with a healthy fear of God and Dad. Now, Gabe can probably take his old man, but he still respects me. He knows that what he does matters because of who and who’s he is
• 17 But the midwives feared God,  21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, 
• The actions of the midwives was directly to connected to their fear of God. 
• Before the written word or any preacher to teach them, in their God-given conscience of good and evil, they ascertained- We do not want to face God one day and answer for this. God would not be pleased with this. If we did this, it would go against the character of God. They knew! 
• Psalm 112:1 Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments.
• As people of God, we know what God wants and requires of us, either by written word, spoken word, our internal conscience, or the Holy Spirit that lives within us. 
• There’s rare rare exceptions when people don’t have a conscience- its called a sociopath. 
• But even sociopath, unless psychotic, can articulate- that was wrong- I just didn’t care. 
• Luke 12:5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
• That scripture is often misunderstood. Theologians argue whether its about Satan or God, its not clear. What is clear though- is that not one time in scripture are we told to fear Satan.
• We are told many times to fear God. Throughout the Old and New Testaments
• Its central to how we understand and worship God. Again, its not being afraid of God, its respecting and honoring his holiness and grandeur. Knowing what he CAN do 
• God did flood the earth. He did strike down whole cities. He does separate people to Hell. 
• Deu 6:24 And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.
• That he might preserve us. Those who fear God always are preserved. They are always taken care of. Those that walk with God do not have to be afraid. 

• You don’t fear God
• People who fear God live differently. They know the statutes and commands of the Lord and they live them out. They walk in them. 
• One- They know God is real- So they live differently. 
• I often wonder when people who claim to be Christian, choose a life of Sin, or continue in their sin long after rebuke and correction. Do they even fear God? His rebuke and Chastisement?
• I do question people’s salvation and belief if they continue in their sin, because the way they are living says to me- They must not think God is real. They must not know his correction. 
• Threatening divorce. Abusing their spouse and kids. Substance abuse. Gossip. Slander. Division. 
• Is God not real to you? Do you think he is not watching? Why do you let it continue?
• Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
• GOD IS WATCHING AND THAT SHOULD CORRECT YOU THAT SHOULD SCARE YOU
• Its funny- when someone knows they are being watched- they act differently. They say locks only help the honest. But cameras sure do make people think twice
• Its why kids act differently when parents are around, coaches are watching, boss is in room
• Its why people don’t act the same in front me, say the things they say, lie to my face
• To what conclusion can I come to when people lie to anyone, even their pastor?
• And I’m not talking about civic disobedience to save lives. Its pretending your marriage is ok, that substance abuse isn’t in the home, that you’re on your last leg. DO YOU NOT FEAR GOD?
• Two- They fear God because They want life
• People who do not fear God live in turmoil. never settled because they are living wrong
• Its latent selfishness- They still want to hold on to their own identity and activities
• Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.
• People who do not fear God are dead. They don’t experience the safety and blessings of living with a healthy fear of the Almighty. It’s clear they have no fear. They celebrate their sin. 
• Often times, when given wrong Change I say “I’m not going to hell for 20 dollars” but its deeper than that- When you live righteously, you experience God’s righteousness, it keeps you in relationship with him. MIDWIVES wanted to experience LIFE even as SLAVES
• Many Bible studiers are going to be in Hell because they have no relationship with God. 
• John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
• People say- I don’t experience God- well how are you living? When you follow his commandments, you experience him every day. Do you live with a fear of God?
• He doesn’t say when you harbor unforgiveness, live contrary to the commands, live for yourself
• Psalm 31:19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, 
• Three- They are fearful of what may happen
• I don’t want to cross God. I don’t want to live outside of his blessings. No way. 
• I don’t think God is going to strike me dead- he doesn’t do that, but he does let me reap what I sow. He does give me over to shameful lusts. He does give me my inheritance and let me walk away= THE MIDWIVES were more than likely afraid of what GOD would do v the Pharoah
• 2 Cor 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• I’ve had seasons in my walk where I’ve experienced what its like being out from under the protection of his wings, and I don’t want to be there. No way. Nothing Good there. 
• I wasn’t cleansing myself from all filthiness. Perfecting holiness is where its at. 
• Four- They want to honor God because of who he is
• God has done so much for me, that the least I can do is honor him with my life. 
• He saved you. Set you free. Blessed you. Forgave you. Looked out for you. 
• Isn’t the least you can do honor him by living in fear of him? To immediately repent?
• Honor and respect go a long way. Some people don’t have it. They want everyone to be their equal. Not me. THE MIDWIVES must have experienced God somehow. Honor HIM
• I want a God that’s bigger than me. More powerful than me. That can do more than me and is more than me. I want his protection and power. I want his grace and his mercy. 
• So I’m going to honor him. I’m not going to treat him any less than he is

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