To Tell or Not To Tell

 

Many years ago we took our children on a trip from Arizona to California. We spent two days at Disneyland and then drove north to visit my brother and his family in Grass Valley. Our kids enjoyed time with their cousins and we enjoyed catching up with my brother and his wife.

One day we went to a pumpkin patch and each of our kids and their cousins selected their own pumpkin. They looked forward to carving and decorating their pumpkin for Halloween when we got home. On our way back to Arizona we realized we would need to stop at the border for an agricultural inspection. We knew that we would be asked by the border agent if we had any agricultural products that we were bringing into Arizona from California.

My wife and I had a lively discussion about what we should say to the agriculture inspector. If we said that we did not have any agricultural items – our children might get to keep their precious pumpkins. But, our children would also know we did not tell the truth. On the other hand, if we did tell the border agent that we did have some agricultural items –  their personal pumpkins might be confiscated at the border and they would have nothing to carve for Halloween.

What would you say if you were faced with a similar situation? Do you tell or not tell? Do you disclose or conceal. Do you tell the truth and risk the loss of the precious pumpkins? Or to you tell a lie and hope you don’t get caught?

A man named Abraham faced a similar test. His wife was beautiful. He told her to lie and tell people she was his sister. He told the same lie when he was asked about her. Abraham was afraid someone might kill him and take his wife (Genesis 20). Years later his own son did the same thing following the example of his father Abraham (Genesis 26)! I know people are more important that pumpkins. I believe it is better to tell the truth and face the consequences than to tell a lie. There is a verse in the Bible that says, “Put aside falsehood and speak truthfully” (Ephesians 4:25). Your reputation is on the line and your children will follow your example. When we got to the border we told the inspector about our precious pumpkins. We held our breath – then he said no problem. Pumpkins are permitted! Let me encourage you to tell the truth. We were glad we did and you will be too.

The author has 365 more articles and stories in his book “Let Me Encourage You” – you can buy a copy for $25 (which includes postage) by contacting him at markh@efreedb.org