Holding to the Truth
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW IF SOMETHING IS RIGHT, COMPARE IT TO GOD.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read Ephesians 4:14-15.
Verse of the Day: “We will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).
“I’m so confused!” Julie stomped her foot and crossed her arms. “What’s wrong?” Mom asked.
“I don’t know who to believe anymore,” Julie explained. “You tell me it’s wrong to lie and stuff like that.”
Mom nodded. “Go on,” she said.
“Well, Andrea says sometimes a lie is OK. She says sometimes her parents even ask her to lie.”
“Oh?” Mom asked.
“Well, sometimes when Andrea answers the phone and her parents don’t want to talk, they’ll tell her to say that they’re not home.”
“I can see how that might be confusing to you,” Mom said. “It sure is!” Julie said. “I don’t know who to believe!”
Mom said, “We’ve talked about this kind of thing before, Julie. We’ve talked about how we can figure out what’s right and what’s wrong. Do you remember?” Julie hesitated.
“If you really want to know if something’s right or not, what do you do?”
Julie thought for a moment, then her eyes brightened. “1 remember! I’m supposed to compare it to God!”
“Right!” Mom said. “And you compare it to God’s rules first. Has God given us any commands about lying?”
“Uh-huh,” Julie said. “He said not to lie.”
“You’re right. He gave many commands saying we should not lie or deceive one another but always tell the truth, right?” Julie nodded.
“After we consider God’s rules, then we identify the truth behind the rule, right?” “Yeah,” Julie agreed. “The truth is, God likes honesty, right?” Mom nodded. “And why does he like honesty?” Julie screwed up her face. “Because he’s honest?”
“Right! See, God is honest and true. That’s why honesty is right. It’s not right because I say so. It’s right because of who God is.” Julie smiled. “I remember now,” she said proudly.
TO DISCUSS: What three steps did Julie’s mom teach her for figuring out if something is right or wrong? How can you “hold to the truth in love” today and tomorrow?
TO PRAY: “Lord, we believe that honesty is right, because you are honest. Help us to be like you: honest and true.”