Truth is a powerful thing, but it can be hard to find and
even harder to discern. But the truth will always be revealed eventually.
Remember the story of Pinocchio, the puppet-boy whose nose
grew longer every time he told a lie? Do you ever wish that would happen to
people, so we could tell when they were trying to deceive?
Hey, wait a minute! That would mean everyone would be
prevented from stretching or distorting the truth (even you and me!). Exaggerations, rumors, myths,
excuses, fibs, insincere compliments, and embellishments would be exposed – not just outright dirty
lies? (Not that any falsehoods are not.)
Probably every parent can relate a memory of a child trying
to put forth an obvious lie. Sometimes we grin at such stories, simply because we adore our children and find their immaturity endearing, even when they try to lie in silly ways.
- “I didn’t eat the candy bar,” says the tot with chocolate smeared all over his face.
- “Terry tracked dirt up the stairs,” chirps the preschooler with the muddy rain boots.
- “I don’t need a nap,” whines the cranky kid, rubbing her eyes. (OK, that may be a faulty self-evaluation, rather than a deliberate deception.)
As grownups, we may talk ourselves into trying to pull
off misleading or misinforming messages. Who do we think we are conning,
anyway, when we pretend and prevaricate?
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th American
President, has been credited with saying this about lying: “You can fool all
the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you
cannot fool all the people all the time.”
The Bible repeatedly says that nothing is hidden from God
(see Luke 8:17 and Hebrews 4:13). No one can fool Him. Not ever. Truth matters
to God. It’s even included in the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:16).
God Himself is truth (see Deuteronomy 32:4). Jesus said, “I
am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6, NIV). And the Holy Spirit
has been called the Spirit of truth.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13, NIV)
The word of our testimony is powerful (see
Revelation 12:11) – because it is the truth. And, when we pray in truth, it
honors God. Praying biblically (using Scripture) is one way to stick to the
facts – the promises of God.
Great God, You are El Emet, the God of Truth (see Psalm 31:6). Lead us in truth.
Propel us to parent honestly and earnestly. Build Your truth in our own lives
and in the lives of our youngsters. Find us faithful, Lord, and help us to flee
from the temptation to take shortcuts with truth. Catch us quickly, if we
detour into deceptions. And do the same with our children, directing them back
into the light of Your truth before they become snarled in falsehood’s web. May
the truth set us free. We ask in faith
and in the name of our wonderful Lord, Your Son Jesus Christ.
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