Speak TruthSample

Pretending Only Works in Kindergarten

The story in Genesis 12:10-20 presents a puzzling situation for believers. Why did the punishment come down on Pharaoh and not Abram?

Most of us have been on the receiving end of deceit. However, when the severe famine struck the land of Canaan, Abram and Sarai made a plan to go to Egypt to get food. Fear hit Abram hard as they approached the border and knew he would be treated like a foreigner. It’s understandable in a way, for he assumed he would be treated with contempt. And they failed to trust God for provision.

In this story, Abram and Sarai passed themselves off as siblings thinking Sarai’s beauty would gain them favor with Pharaoh. The plan worked at the beginning, then backfired. The Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household. It’s not recorded how much time has passed but eventually Pharaoh did the right thing and returned Sarai to Abram. Without the plagues, Pharaoh wouldn’t have known Abram had lied. Abram and Sarai knowingly deceived him and failed to rely on God to provide for them in the foreign land.

Lying is defined as “making an untrue statement with the intent to deceive. ”White lies or fudging the truth are often dismissed because it doesn’t cover up a serious wrongdoing. Even though your intent is to be diplomatic or polite it’s not helpful or beneficial to either of you. But both sides will suffer.

Fear of the unknown can shake you to say and do some unthinkable things. We can be blind to the lies we’re telling ourselves and those to others. Soon you won’t know what to think, or who to trust. Honestly, pretending only works in kindergarten.

As an adult we are called to know the truth and speak the truth. The Accuser, Satan, is out to get us by deception and fights with our will to be open and honest with others and before God. It’s time to come to grips with the half-truths and lies you’ve believed. Be honest with yourself about your lies and deceptions and fight to know the truth. To not do so is rebellion and you will fall to the deception of your own heart. The struggle is real. Fight to know God’s truth!