Introductory Thoughts
People love comparing themselves to those whom they deem less righteous or unspiritual. By finding someone living on a spiritually lower level, any wrong doing can seem quite justified in one’s own eyes. Another way to get by with certain character flaws is by distinguishing between what men call big and little sins. As long as someone refuses to commit the big sins, he considers himself decent, upright, and sometimes spiritually superior. One of the most prevalent areas is that of telling lies. Those who err in this area equate some lies as “white lies” (lies deemed less harmful than the big ones). Yet, the Bible doesn’t make any such distinction. According to the Bible, truth and lies are at opposite ends of the spectrum.“No lie is of the truth” (1 John 2:21). Truth tainted by error or falsehood ceases to be truth. Regardless of how simple a lie may appear, no lie has as its source pure truth. If truth was the basis for a statement, then it would remain truth.
Devotional Thoughts
-
(For children): You and a friend draw on the wall with crayons. When asked about it, you say that your friend did it. Is that completely true? Who always knows the truth even when you don't tell the truth? God says, "Lie not one to another" (Colossians 3:9a)
-
(For everyone): If something is 99.9 percent true, is it really true? How much falsehood is necessary to make truth cease from being the truth?
-
What is the origin of all truth? What is the origin of all lies? How much of your life (words, actions, entertainment, etc.) is founded upon truth?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to show you the importance of truth.
- Ask the Lord to help you recognize the lies existing within your life.
Song
WE HAVE AN ANCHOR
