True or False

By Kendra Osborn

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!’  (Matthew 7:22-23 (NIV))

The other day my oldest son came running into the room and with great delight and full of energy announced we had won over a hundred million dollars.  When I turned around to tell him what he had in his hand was a hoax, I had to stop.  The look on his face was full of excitement and joy.  I’m sure he was already planning how to spend all of that money.  For some reason, my heart was a little sad to burst his bubble, but this was one of those moments that truth had to be spoken.  

As a child, his faith is so pure and real.  It’s easy for him to believe and not have any doubts about what he sees or hears.  As a parent, it’s my job to help him grow in truth and in love.  I have been given the responsibility to help him separate the good and the bad.  To separate the truth from the false things of this world. 

When I explained to him what he was holding in his hand and what he was reading in black and white was not true he was crushed.  Not because we didn’t win millions of dollars, he was heartbroken that someone would lie about something like that.  My heart began to ache even more!  He asked me, “Why would someone make up a lie like that?”  It was one of those moments where a little bit of childhood innocence was removed and the truth of the world we live in replaced it.

I haven’t forgotten his reaction to the news of the truth I spoke and I have since realized he is now more cautious about things he believes.  God got a hold of my heart and taught me something through my son’s eyes.  Do we buy into the false things of this world?  Are we easily deceived and replace truth for a replica of who Christ is and all He can do for us? 

The Lord took me to the Scriptures in Matthew and He began to speak to my heart about the things I had once believed and bought into so easily.  We are living in a time where we must align ourselves with the Word of God so we are not easily deceived.  We must be fruit inspectors and as Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them...” (Matthew 7:15-16 (NIV))

Precious daughters of the Most High, we must pour the Word of God into ourselves and get to know Him on such an intimate level that we would know truth from fallacy when we see it, read it or hear it.  We must go deeper with our Lord. He is waiting, He is longing for us to dive in and swim to the deep end to find Him.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life!  If we know Him and our relationship with Him is so focused on who He is and all the truths He speaks of, then we will know when we are in the midst of the false things of this world and the lies people have to offer.

Pray with me.

Lord God, Creator of the Universe, You are the Truth, the Way and the Life!  How we praise You on this day for being real, for being the One who speaks life into us and speaks truth about who we are in You.  Lord, forgive us for being deceived and buying into the false things of this world.  Lord, remove the blinders from our eyes.  Show us how to be fruit inspectors.  Teach us Your word and let us get to know You more.  Let us be intimate with You.  Let our yes be yes and our no be no.  Let us stand for truth and speak against the false things of this world, no matter the cost.  God, restore those that have bought into the deception and believe that what they do in Your name is good and pleasing to You.  We pray right now for the truth to be revealed in their lives, in our lives and that we would live out what we know to be true.  We stand upon Your word today, Father, and proclaim Your truth with a loud voice!  We shout out Your name, Jesus, and know You are the only Way!  How we love You and praise You Lord.  We want to dwell in Your presence Lord.  Oh, how we love You!  All these things, we ask in the mighty name of Jesus!  Amen!