Honesty Over Exaggeration

March 8, 2026

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
~ Proverbs 22:12 NIV ~

"The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." (Proverbs 12:22, NIV)

Two fishermen met on vacation and, as fishermen are prone to do, they started swapping stories. One of them bragged about an epic battle with a 300-pound salmon. The other, not to be outdone, told about the time he reeled in an old lantern that had been sitting at the bottom of a lake since 1912 — and it was still glowing!

The first fisherman thought for a moment, then said, "Tell you what — I'll take 200 pounds off my fish if you put out the light in your lantern."

We’ve all been there. Maybe not with fish tales, but whenever we share our accomplishments (or our hardships), we have a tendency to stretch the truth to impress others or to make our stories more exciting. But Solomon reminds us that God values honesty and integrity.

We live in a world where we feel like we have to make ourselves look good — on social media, at work, even in casual conversations. But Jesus calls us to a different way of living: one where our words match the truth. Because every lie, no matter how small, distorts the truth, and whenever we distort the truth, we take a step away from God’s character.

In Matthew 5:37, Jesus said, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” (BSB). In other words, say what you mean, mean what you say, and don’t twist reality for your own benefit.

The truth is, you don’t need to exaggerate your story for God to use it. When we’re honest about our struggles, our blessings, and even our small victories, we allow God’s light — not our own exaggerations — to shine through us.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve “bent the truth” to impress others or to make myself seem better than I am. Let my words be truthful and my heart be sincere, so that I may reflect your character in all that I say and do. In Jesus' name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith's Thought For the Day

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