Daily Devotional

My wide-eyed, startled young daughter stood poised with a black marker by her artwork on the wall. Guess how she answered when I knowingly asked, “Who wrote with black marker on the wall?” “Not me!” was her lie. Sound familiar, parents?

I remember thinking, “How do I teach her to love the truth?” That’s when I adopted the
phrase, “The truth is your friend.” I cannot tell you how many times I have used that phrase with my kids. In fact, I made a deal with them. If they told the truth they would be rewarded with a smaller consequence of their poor choice: “The truth is your friend.”

I never taught my kids to lie but they were so good at it. I am sure that is true of your
children. So how did they learn to lie? King Solomon said it succinctly:

Proverbs 22:15 - “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child…”

Actually, it all began with Adam and Eve. In a sense, we get to blame them—at least, at
first. Our First Parents started it off with the first bite of the forbidden fruit and their sin was
imparted to us. We all have that seed of Adam’s rebellion planted in our hearts. In fact, we were born liars and many throughout their lives grow even more untruthful. It even becomes a habit. (cf. Psalm 51:5; 1 Corinthians 15:22).

Now that I am a grandmother, I am still on a quest to teach the truth to fellow sinners—
fellow liars! Once a week I gather my older grandkids together for a short Bible Study. My heart is often heavy when I think of all the false ideas and lies swirling around them today. Our kids and grandkids need our help sorting out what is true and what is false.

We begin with the ultimate definition of truth—Jesus Christ Himself! I remind them of the
words of Jesus:

John 14:6 - “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
me.”

1. Jesus is the “WAY” to eternal life and He directs us how to live this side of Heaven.

2. Jesus is the “TRUTH”. He is the perfect reality. Absolute perfection. God Almighty.
He is the truth and standard that gives us absolute clarity as to how to live our life. He has
given us the Bible and the Holy Spirit to guide in discerning what is true and what is false.
With His help, we will not be easily deceived by the world’s lies.

3. Jesus is the “LIFE”. He gave His life so that we can live forever with Him.
Jesus also offers abundant life this side of Heaven. It is a life based on truth.
That’s a pretty good start in understanding truth. Anything that falls short of what Christ
would say and do is a lie. Now, if I could just get my grandchildren to tell me who it is that wrote on their hands and arms with indelible black marker. Then again, I know the truth!

For Parents, Grandparents, and Teachers:

1. Play a True/False Game. Make a list of what is true and what is false. List serious things and funny things. e.g., “Moses built the Ark,” or “Jesus loves you” or “Vegetables make you sick.” Make the game fun, but your goal is to teach about what is true and what is false. Discuss with them the definition of truth and false.
   
   
2. Teach your kids why John 14:6 is so important for them to understand in today’s world.
   
   
3. Consider using the phrase, “The truth is your friend” often in your home. Telling the truthhas many benefits, and ultimately Jesus is the truth!

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