Daily Living Devotional

How to recognize truth in the midst of lies

Through James 1:18, readers are encouraged to consider how to recognize truth in the midst of lies and respond to God's grace with renewed trust.

James 1:18

One of the most elaborate hoaxes in broadcast history was an April Fool's joke played on the British Broadcasting Corporation's current affairs program Panorama, with its rather dignified host Richard Dimbleby relating a story about the annual spaghetti harvest filmed in a Swiss-Italian spaghetti orchard.

For the segment, the producers and cameramen actually flew to Switzerland and hung spaghetti on trees in an orchard. They then filmed local women climbing ladders with baskets and pulling the spaghetti off of the trees and filling their baskets full! And with guitar music added into the background, the final product was complete.

At the end of the three-minute film Richard Dimbleby said, "Now we say goodnight to this first day of April." In spite of that hint, the next morning it was surprising the number of people who didn't recognize that the spaghetti harvest was a hoax. The BBC had pulled a big one off on countless viewers across Britain!

It's amazing how when something is presented to us by a credible source, we'll often believe it without any questions. This is true when it comes to the lies of the enemy and the world, which often lure Christians into false beliefs. So don't be hoodwinked by what the world says is true. Instead, focus on what God says is true and trust fully in Him!

Respond

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would give you wisdom to discern His truth from the world's lies.

Reflect

Questions for Thought

  1. What are some lies the world tries to tell us that are contrary to Scripture?
  2. How can you be more consistent in immersing yourself in God's truth so you'll be able to tell what's true and what's not?