False Teeth

Bible Reading: Colossians 2:6-10

“Aaagh!” screamed Olivia when she looked into a cup on her grandmother’s bathroom counter. “There are teeth in this cup!” She heard Grandma laugh and walked into her bedroom. “I forgot that you wear false teeth. They don’t look false when they’re in your mouth.”

“Good,” said Grandma. “Then maybe only my dentist and I know for sure.” She gave Olivia a toothless grin. “And you.”

At school the following week, Olivia became friends with Ginny, a new student who often talked about God. “We all have God in us, so we can all figure out what’s right and wrong for ourselves,” Ginny said one day. “You may think certain things are wrong, but I may think they’re okay. And that’s fine. We should each make our own decision.”

Olivia didn’t think that was true, but she was so glad to find a friend who wasn’t afraid to talk about God. Maybe she’s right, Olivia thought.

One day, Olivia got into trouble for hitting her brother. “He was teasing me, so I don’t see anything wrong with hitting him!” Olivia said. “Ginny says we’re all a part of God and should decide for ourselves what’s right.”

“And who is Ginny?” asked Mom.

“She’s a new Christian friend at school. She talks about God a lot.”

“Are you sure she’s a Christian?” asked Mom. “Because what she’s saying is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible says God is holy and always does what is right, but we are sinners who have been separated from God because we do wrong things that go against who He is. That’s why we need Jesus to save us from sin and give us the Holy Spirit.” Mom shook her head. “People may talk about God, but if they don’t think they need Jesus, they’re like—well, like Grandma’s teeth.”

“Grandma’s teeth!” exclaimed Olivia. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You told me her teeth look so real you don’t think about the fact that they’re false,” said Mom. “Well, things people say about God may seem true, but if they don’t agree with what the Bible says about God and our need for Jesus, they’re false. God is perfect and holy, and He certainly does not say you can decide for yourself what is right or wrong.” Mom looked at Olivia. “And hitting your brother is definitely wrong.”

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?

Do you assume that anyone who talks about God is a Christian? Repeating words and phrases often used by Christians is not proof that someone belongs to Jesus. Don’t be fooled by people who say they know God but teach things contrary to what God says. That’s false teaching. Check anything you hear with what the Bible teaches, and ask Christian adults you trust for help too.

Today’s Key Verse: Matthew 24:4 Jesus replied to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you.” (CSB)

Today’s Key Thought:

Watch out for false teaching