Truth Be Told: A Devotional Study on Truth

STORY: Lie Detectors

Crime fighters sometimes utilize a polygraph test to determine if a person of interest is telling the truth. I’ve heard it said that some pathological individuals can beat the lie detector test because they live in such a way their bodies don’t even know they are lying. Then again, some who are nervous but innocent can flunk the test because of a racing heart rate. 

Unless a person is good at bluffing (I don’t recommend that except in card games), they often have a tell. Why is it called a tell? Because it tells on them! Some of nature’s lie detectors:

• Splotchy red spots
• Red hot ears
• A nervous tic
• Eye twitches
• Stuttering
• Flustered acting
• Dodgy eyes

One reason parents seem like they know everything and see everything is because they are familiar with each child’s tells. Even when not there to witness the offense, they know when their kids are fibbing.

And then there’s one other way to bust a fibber. And that’s with a tattler. There seems to be a tattler and a fibber in every family!

Thinking about this has been fun, but truth is no laughing matter—it’s serious business. Let’s see what the Bible says about truth.

STUDY: Truth is the Thing

Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed (Proverbs 12:19 NLT).

• Have you ever asked God to reveal truth? Perhaps you have been falsely accused and rather than defend yourself you asked God to shine light.
• Or perhaps you need to know truth. It’s important in order to make a decision or to follow God’s direction. Truth is so valuable, isn’t it? How do you pursue it?

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. (1 Corinthians 13:4-6 NLT)

• According to this passage, how does love act? What actions do not reflect love?
• What are some examples of when truth wins out?
• How can you rejoice when that happens? How does that show love?

We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. (2 Corinthians 4:2 NLT)

• What are some examples from this passage of actions that aren’t based in truth? How do you reject these actions?
• How do truth and honesty help a Christ follower earn the respect of others and live a life pointing to God?

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness (Colossians 2:7).

• What significance do you find when you see the word “let”?
• What direction do you get from these instructions?
• How can your faith grow strong in truth? What is one evidence or result of this?

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8 NLT)

• When I see the phrase, “one final thing,” I assume the next words are monumental. Like when a person is getting ready to die, their final words matter. What is the final message here?
• The instructions in this passage lead to being honest and truthful. The actions of truth start with attitudes of truth. Which one of these steps is most difficult for you and what are you doing to access God’s help in being victorious in these struggles?

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. (Hebrews 6:18 NLT)

• There are several concepts about God that are dear to Christians in this passage. Which ones stand out to you?
• Do you consider yourself as a refugee—one who has fled to God? What did you escape from?
• What confidence do you cling to?

An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace! No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. (Proverbs 12:17-22 NLT)

• What we do with our words determines if we are honest or a liar. Obviously, people of integrity don’t set out to be a false witness or to use their words for evil.
• What are the negative actions in this passage? The positive actions?
• One way to make sure your words are honest is to plan for peace. Intentions motivate actions.

STEPS: Step up to Truth

1. Eliminate cutting remarks. Put a stop to using words that harm.
2. Evaluate dishonesty. Ask God to reveal your lies. Decide why you lied and how you can make it right or at least learn for the future.
3. Plan for peace. Improve likelihood of telling the truth by preparing the heart for good.

Copyright © 2021 Kathy Carlton Willis, used with permission.