The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 20:1-7, “Now Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the Negev, and settled between Kadesh and Shur; then he sojourned in Gerar.
2 Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, ‘Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.’
4 Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, ‘Lord, will You slay a nation, even though blameless?
5 ‘Did he not himself say to me, “She is my sister”? And she herself said, “He is my brother.” In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.’
6 Then God said to him in the dream, ‘Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.
7 ’Now therefore, restore the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.’”

If you were raised in a home like mine, the cardinal sin was lying! I learned it first from my parents, being taught it as a cardinal truth from the Scriptures. I was a “normal” kid in other respects, too; so I’m not endeavoring to convince anyone that my “rank” as a kid was above my peers. I had my share of “knocks and scrapes,” as much as anyone. But, I did not lie –to my parents or grandparents or teachers or anyone! I knew better.

Abraham knew better, too, when he lied to Abimelech. In fact, he involved Sarah, in the deception, when he convinced her to say that she was his sister instead of his wife. Truth be told, Sarah was both! Still, it was a deception, and deceptions are lies.

There are added reasons why we should not lie. Inevitably, the truth will prevail, leaving us with “egg on our faces.” This does nothing to enhance us or the situation that is involved. Also, lying rarely ceases with one untruth. A good attorney (or the like) could soon reveal our attempt at deception, and our reputation would, thereafter, always be in doubt.

As Christians, we should always espouse truthfulness. It is valid to say that there are things we know (or think we know) that should never be told, lest they damage the reputation of another person. But, following the directives of the LORD should always supercede others in our reasonings
regarding truth. Remember: “Always tell the truth and you won’t have to remember anything.”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom