One sunny day, four high school boys couldn't resist the temptation to skip classes. The next morning they explained to a teacher that they had missed her class because their car had a flat tire. To their relief, she smiled and said, "Well, you missed a quiz yesterday, so take your seats and get out a pencil and paper." She waited as they sat down and got ready for the quiz. Then she said, "First question: Which tire was flat?"

No one can get away with lying. In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira thought they were lying only to Peter and the other believers. But the apostle said to them, "You have not lied to men but to God."

Truth is an attribute of God. When we lie, we offend Him. And sooner or later He will uncover every falsehood--if not in this life, then at the judgment (Rom. 14:10-12).

We live in a highly competitive world, and sometimes we may be strongly tempted to shade the truth to get ahead. But the short-term gains from lying are worth little compared with the long-term benefits of telling the truth.

If you have deceived someone, confess it to that person and to the Lord. It may be humbling, but it is the first step to restore integrity in your life.  — Dennis J. De Haan