Truth

Truth

Lies will get any man into trouble, but honesty is its own defense.

Proverbs 12:13, TLB

Perhaps you’ve heard the saying, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Well, if I had been Joshua, I might have felt that way toward the Gibeonites (Joshua 9). After the Israelites’ complete victory at Ai—one of their first battles after they entered the Promised Land—surrounding nations were terrified of them. Some cities planned to fight Israel, but the people of Gibeon decided to try deceit. Even though the Gibeonites lived nearby, some of their people dressed in old clothes and patched sandals and loaded their donkeys with worn-out supplies. They visited Joshua and the Israelites, saying they came from a distant country and asking to make a treaty with them. When the Gibeonites offered to be servants of the Israelites, the Israelites agreed to a treaty—without consulting God.

Three days later the Israelites discovered that the far-off people they had just made a treaty with were really their close neighbors! The Israelites were understandably angry about the ruse, but Joshua said the oath must stand. However, he declared that the Gibeonites would live from then on under a curse—they would be woodcutters and water carriers for the community of Israel and the house of God.

Trust in another person is only earned through consistent honesty and integrity. It’s important for us to realize that deceit in our relationships with our husbands, our children, or our friends exacts a tremendous cost. Deceit erodes trust and brings a curse, but honesty, integrity, and straightforward living foster respect, trust, and thriving relationships.

Father,

We desire honesty for each member of our family. Please help us to be straightforward and truthful in all of our relationships. Amen.