“You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.” Leviticus 19:11 (NKJV)
Lying — saying things that aren’t true — is wrong, according to the Bible. But is there such a thing as “little white lies” . . . untruths that don’t cause real harm to others? They may not hurt anyone, per se; however, if uncovered, they could cause dire consequences.
Leanna Bennett never finished high school and works as a nanny to help her mom survive after her father walked out on them. Her job
eases their condition, but attractive Leanna has always wanted more. After putting the children to bed each night, there is time for TV. One night, an ad arouses her interest: a beauty pageant. But the minimum age is 21, which Leanna won’t turn for another 11 months. She can’t wait that long! She tells her mother she is going for a job interview but takes a bus to the pageant headquarters. Figuring there’s no way anyone would recognize her, Leanna registers as Myra Bennett (her middle name) and states her age as 21.
Days later “Myra” is one of the final four, then three. Her heart pounds as she is then in the final two. TV stations feature her when her
name is called, and the Winners Crown is placed on her head! There is “Local Girl Crowned Queen” buzz throughout her hometown. Then the whispers begin, and calls to the Pageant Director.
The sympathetic Director softens Leanna’s untruths as “little white lies” and allows her to resign with a bit of dignity. But through her actions, Leanna becomes the object of media discussions and an example which young women should not follow. “Little white lies” that
may not directly hurt others can sometimes do the most damage to the ones who tell them.
Dear Father in heaven, please help me to always speak the truth and forgive me for all the times that I have not. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
— Kiki BelMonte-Schaller
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org