God is True
GOD’S NINTH COMMANDMENT SHOWS THAT HE IS TRUE.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read Proverbs 12:17-22.
Verse of the Day: “Do not testify falsely against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16).
All heads in Hannah’s classroom turned and watched as a student entered the room and handed Mrs. Busby a piece of paper. The teacher read the note, then stood.
“I want you all to work quietly at your desks for a few minutes,” Hannah’s teacher announced. “I’ll only be gone for a minute or two.”
As soon as the teacher left, Hannah’s friend Amy dashed to the classroom window. “Hannah!” she whispered, furiously waving a hand. “Come here.”
Hannah tried to ignore her, but Amy wouldn’t be quiet. Finally, Hannah got up from her seat and stood beside Amy at the window.
“Look,” Amy said. “There’s Bobby Myers. He said he thinks you’re pretty cool.”
“Is that all you wanted? To show me Bobby Myers?” Hannah turned from the window and returned to her seat just as Mrs. Busby entered the room.
Amy still stood at the window. She tried to dash into her seat, but she was too late. Mrs. Busby had seen her.
“Amy,” Mrs. Busby said, “I’ll expect to see you after school.” The teacher turned to face the rest of the class. “Did anyone else leave his or her seat?”
The room fell silent, and after a few moments, Hannah’s hand crept into the air.
“Anyone else?” Mrs. Busby scanned the room, but no other hands were raised. “Then I’ll expect to see you after school, too,” she said, nodding toward Hannah.
After class, Amy and Hannah walked to their next class together.
“Sorry I got you in trouble,” Amy said.
Hannah shrugged. “It was my fault, too.”
“You shouldn’t have said anything,” Amy said.
“That would have been lying, though,” Hannah answered.
“Just to keep your mouth shut?”
Hannah nodded. “I’ve been learning that the reason lying is wrong is because it’s not like God. He tells us not to tell lies because he always tells the truth.”
“So that’s why you told the truth today?” Amy asked. “Even though it got you in trouble?”
“I didn’t like getting in trouble with Mrs. Busby,” Hannah answered. “But I did like doing the right thing.”
Amy studied her friend’s face. “What do you know,” she said. “Bobby Myers is right for once.” She smiled. “You are pretty cool.”
TO DISCUSS: How does the ninth commandment reveal God’s nature? Are there other ways a person can lie?
TO PRAY: “Lord, protect us from any sinful desires to lie.”