The “Easy” Way Out

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

My family and I recently went on a road trip that took us into Canada. When we were planning our trip from Michigan to Boston and noticed the most direct route sent us not only through Canada but directly through Niagara Falls, I knew we needed to add a day to visit the falls. You can’t drive past a wonder like that and not take time to appreciate it.

With our vehicle packed to the brim, we set off. As we got closer to Canada, we saw signs about what wasn’t allowed across the border; firearms, explosives, and weapons were the most prominent items. One of my children asked me if the small container of mace I carry on my keychain for safety purposes is considered a weapon. Unsure, I looked at my husband, and he confidently said, “No.”

As we were waiting in line at the border, we had our passports and the kids’ birth certificates ready. I decided to put my keys in the bottom of my purse. In case I had to pull out my wallet for anything, I didn’t want them—and my mace—falling out.

When we approached the window, we handed over our documents. The officer looking at them asked us what our intentions were in Canada. We excitedly told him we were on our way to Boston via Niagara Falls. His next question stopped me: “Do you have any guns, knives, mace in your possession?” (My husband had been wrong!)

My mind began to race. What would the consequences be for having mace? I didn’t want to tell the truth. I wanted to lie. But what would my kids think of me if they heard me lie? They knew I had mace on my keychain; they had asked me about it less than thirty minutes ago.

I told the officer I had a small keychain mace in my purse. I told the truth.

He said I would have to surrender it or return to the United States. I started to take it off my keychain to hand to him, but he laughed and told me I needed to take it to the border patrol office and fill out paperwork—all because of a $10.00 keychain mace.

I filled out the required paperwork, surrendered my mace, and we were on our way again. Honestly, it was only a slight delay to our trip—a minor inconvenience.

Taking the Easy Way Out

It’s been months since our incident with the Canadian border patrol, but I often remember how I wanted to take the “easy way out.” I’m a truthful person; I don’t consider myself a liar. But the temptation was prominent that day. I wanted to lie.

Many small and seemingly insignificant occurrences might make us think a “little lie” is acceptable, and lying “because it doesn’t hurt anyone” is prominent today. However, a lie is a lie. And because of the sin nature in all of us, we all carry with us the temptation to sin. (Let’s not forget the very first sin happened because of a lie the serpent told Eve.)

In an age when so many people are no longer shocked or disheartened by someone lying, I want to challenge us all to tell the truth. God is truth, and when we allow the sin of lying to become a part of our lives, it creates a division between us and God. Not only that, but while lying might not seem like a big deal, opening our hearts to any sin clouds our vision and opens the door to more sin. It has a snowball effect.

I share this with you because I want to let you know you’re not alone. We all struggle with temptation. We all have sin nature in us. You might not be tempted to lie at the Canadian border about your keychain mace, but you will face the temptation to lie. I encourage you to reach out to Jesus and share your struggles with him. Pray for strength to resist the temptation. Tell the truth.

Dear heavenly Father, give us strength to resist the temptations that come our way, like the temptation to lie. Help us reject the lies of the Evil One and to cling to your truth. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. (Psalm 34:13 NIV)

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. (Proverbs 12:19 NIV)

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13 NIV)

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)

Reach for More

We are not meant to do life on our own. If you’re struggling with temptation or sin, you need to shine a light on it and talk to someone. Telling the truth about what’s going on in our lives—our fears, struggles, temptations—is a step toward freedom. No one who walks this earth is perfect; we were all born with a sin nature. But we don’t need to be a prisoner to it.

Heather Gerwing is a homeschooling mom of four. She is a Jersey girl at heart but now lives in Michigan with her husband Jeff and their kids. Heather enjoys reading, coffee-ing, worshipping and writing. She is passionate about her family and living the full life. You can find her at heathergerwing.com.

Photograph © Allef Vinicius, used with permission