August 16
The Truth
Always Comes Out
“The Lord hates those whose lips tell lies. But he is pleased with people who tell the truth.”
Proverbs 12:22 (NIrV)
Jared stared at his phone, his thumb hovering over the call button. He had already typed out the lie in his head. Hey boss, I’m not feeling great today. Think I need to rest. A second later, his boss picked up.
“Hey, Jared, everything okay?”
Jared cleared his throat, adding a little rasp for effect. “Yeah, I think I caught something. Probably best I stay home today.”
A pause. Then, “Alright, take care. See you tomorrow.”
As soon as the call ended, guilt gnawed at him, but he shoved it aside. He had been dying to go to this hockey match for weeks. His buddy had an extra ticket, and it wasn’t like the company would fall apart without him for one day.
By the time he got to the arena, excitement took over. The roar of the crowd, the clashing of sticks against the ice—this was exactly where he wanted to be. He and his friend shouted themselves hoarse as their team scored the game-winner in overtime. It was perfect.
Until it wasn’t.
That night, Jared was lounging on his couch when the local news aired the game highlights. “A thrilling victory for the home team,” the reporter said as the footage played. The camera panned across the cheering crowd—and there he was. Front and center, yelling like a lunatic.
His phone buzzed. A message from his boss.
“Hope you’re feeling better. Saw you on the news tonight. We need to talk tomorrow.”
Jared’s stomach twisted into knots. His face burned with shame. The lie had felt small at the time, but now it was blowing up in his face.
He shut his eyes and sighed. “God, I messed up. I lied when I didn’t have to, and now I’m paying for it. Help me own up to this.”
The next morning, Jared walked into his boss’s office, bracing himself. “I won’t make excuses. I lied, and I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.”
His boss studied him for a long moment before nodding. “I appreciate the honesty. Just don’t let it happen again.”
As Jared walked out, relief washed over him. Owning up to his mistake had been hard, but it was nothing compared to the weight of dishonesty. Next time, he’d choose the truth.
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for the times I have not been truthful.
I know that even small lies can damage trust and pull me away from Your will.
Give me the courage to be honest in all things, even when it’s difficult.
Help me live a life that honors You, knowing that truth is always better than deception.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
