The Right Choice: The Promise or the Lie - Spiritual Nugget 74

One of the timeless classics of children’s stories is the tale of a wooden marionette named Pinocchio who wanted to be a human boy. Although some of us might remember the animated Disney film version, the book was written by an Italian author, Carlo Lorenzini (C. Collodi, pen name) in 1883 ¹
 
This remarkably creative story includes lessons on several topics that are thorns in the flesh among children and adults: lying, disobedience, and disrespect for parents.
 
For those of us who may have seen the film in later years, the most memorable was Pinocchio’s public humiliation for lying and deceitfulness. His nose grew longer every time he told a lie. Can you imagine if this became a “universal” law of consequence for everyone who told a lie? I can only envision the eruption within our society.
 
Lying is a lethal and prominent factor in our daily lives. Both the Webster and Bible definition include: “the intent to speak untruth, mislead and deceive.”
 
A lie can be a half-truth (the origin in the garden), an evasive answer (Cain & Abel), a deliberate lie (Jacob and his father’s blessing), or misrepresentation (Gehazi and Naaman). These brief Biblical examples of types of lies are similarly repeated in our daily lives. Even followers of truth can get caught in the web of untruth.
 
On the other side of that coin are the promises of God:

• It is impossible for Him to lie. (Hebrews 6:13-18).
• He gave us a guarantee that every word spoken by Him is filled with power, encouragement, and hope. (Isaiah 55:11)
• His Word is not here today and gone tomorrow. It will never pass away. It is permanently sealed with the covenant made with Himself, for who is greater than the creator of the universe?

• God does not recant or take back a promise He has made, nor does He change His mind according to human standards, and He does not have to recuse (remove) Himself from a situation because of a conflict of information. He already knows the outcome and every detail of your life. (Numbers 23:19)

 
Since we are guaranteed that the promises He made are always “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20), there is no need to engage in manipulation, deception or lying.
 
The promises are open to everyone who:

• Actively seeks Him – commits to know Him and loves Him

• Believes in Him and His Word (abides in Him)

• Trusts in the Lord with all your Heart; don’t depend on our own devices

• Seeks Forgiveness; accepts His everlasting Love

 
You are not a wooden marionette who is required to perform for money, manipulate a situation, falsify information, or deceive others to achieve your goal. A life that rests on the multiple promises of God is a life dependent upon the energies and resources of God. 

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¹ Collodi, C. 1883. “Le Adventure di Pinocchio.” Canada: Toronto Public Library