Have you ever been in a situation when your friends said something was true. How could you know if what they said was true or not?
Read
John 8:31-32 and note what Jesus said is the key to knowing the Truth.
- What did Jesus say is the key to knowing the truth? (To "continue" in His Word, which means to be faithful in reading and applying His Word)
- What power can the Truth have in your life? (To free you from things that prevent you from getting close to God or that prevent you from following His Word.)
When you listen to God's teachings and obey them, you will know what is true and what isn't, and you will be free to follow the Truth.
It's not only important to listen and obey God's truth, but it is also important to speak the truth. Jesus said that the truth will set you free. One of the ways we follow God's Truth is by being truthful ourselves.
How would always telling the truth give you freedom? (
You don't have to worry about being caught in a lie.)
What are some of the problems you have when you lie? (
You have to remember your lie. Often you have to tell more lies to cover up your first lie.)
What are the benefits to trying to always tell the truth? (
You don't have to remember your lies, and you don't have to worry that someone will find out that you've lied.)
What are some things you hear from TV, movies, song lyrics, internet, or school textbooks that you know is not the truth?
What do you do when you hear someone say something that isn't true? What should you do?
If someone tells you that it is 7:15 PM, is that true? It may or may not be, depending on what time you are reading this devotion. If you look at a clock that reads 7:15 PM, and someone tells you that it is 7:15 PM, is that true? It may or may not be. Maybe the clock is broken and always reads 7:15. Or maybe you are in a different time zone. The truth about time is relative, it depends on the circumstances.
However, if someone tells you that 2 + 2 = 4, is that true? Yes, that is true all the time and anywhere you are. This is called an absolute truth. It is true because it is based on a truth that never changes.
God's Word is a source of absolute truth. It is always true because it is based on Truth that never changes: God.
The Bible speaks often about God's unchanging character.
"For I am the LORD, I change not ..." (
Malachi 3:6
)
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever." (
Hebrews 13:8
)
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the
Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (
James 1:17
)
We must always measure our beliefs by the Truth in God’s Word. Since God is the author of truth and since absolute truth resides in Him, He is the only One who can guide us. Any other guide can lead us into confusion and deception.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER:
Because God is Totally Truthful, you don't have to wonder what truth is. You can know the truth by knowing and obeying His Word.
Because God is Totally Truthful, He will help you stand up against lies. Because God is Totally Truthful, you can tell the truth and be set free!!
TAKING ACTION:
Thank God for always telling the truth, and ask Him to help you to be truthful as well!
Build something together (preferably something that must be put together the correct way--a puzzle, a model, a mechanical device, sew a doll dress, a science project...) but do it without the instructions or without the picture or by using the wrong picture. Use it as an opportunity to talk about how frustrating life is when we don't follow God's True instruction manual, the Bible.
