A False Accusation

Bible Reading: Exodus 20:16; Colossians 3:9-10

Jack and Ryan sat on the couch with their tablet, watching a video about how to get through a maze on their favorite app. Mom walked into the room behind them just in time to hear Ryan say, “Thanks for not telling Mom I was the one that broke the lamp in my room, Jack. Blaming it on Jodi was a good idea.”

“Whatever, no problem,” Jack said as he shushed Ryan to be quiet.

Mom walked around the couch and slowly took the tablet from the twins.

“Mom!” they both exclaimed. “We’re going to miss the maze trick!”

“I think you two are missing something way more important than that,” Mom said. The two boys’ eyes became as wide as saucers as they realized she’d heard what they said about breaking the lamp.

“I was going to tell you…” “He made me promise not to tell!” they both said at the same time.

“You both lied to me,” said Mom. “When you’re about to get in trouble, lying and blaming someone else can sometimes feel like it’s the best and easiest solution. That’s why God made an entire commandment about this one thing—He called it false testimony.” Mom held up the tablet. “Do you believe the guy in the video you were watching?” she asked.

“Yes,” the boys said in unison.

“What would happen if you tried his trick in your game and it didn’t help you get through?” asked Mom.

“I wouldn’t watch that channel anymore,” said Jack. “And I’d get advice from someone else.”

“The same thing happens to us when we make false accusations,” said Mom. “When we lie and say others did things they didn’t do, we hurt people, and they stop trusting us. Those are not the kind of relationships Jesus wants us to create. He’s working in our hearts so we can show others what He’s like—and He’s always truthful and trustworthy. He was even willing to sacrifice Himself so we could be saved. But when you lied, you were only thinking of yourselves, not your sister.”

Ryan looked at his brother. “Jack, we better go find Jodi and make this right.”

-Manda Van Kalsbeek

How About You?

Do you ever lie to get yourself out of trouble? Have you blamed someone else for something you did? Lying and blaming others can sometimes seem like the easiest solution, but it just makes things worse. It can destroy relationships and the trust others have in you. Don’t make false accusations to get yourself out of trouble. Instead, remember that Jesus will help you be loving and trustworthy like He is and tell the truth.

Today’s Key Verse:
Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self…and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Don’t make false accusations