A minister was walking down a street when he noticed a group of boys standing around a dog. Concerned for the dog's safety, he walked over and asked what they were doing. A boy replied, "This is an old stray, and all of us want it. We decided that whoever told the biggest lie would get it."

"You boys shouldn't have a contest telling lies," said the minister. "Don't you know that lying is a sin? Why, when I was your age I never told a lie!" There was silence for about a minute. Then, just as the minister thought he had gotten through to them, one boy gave a deep sigh and said, "All right, he wins. Give him the dog."

We smile, but the fact is, we've all told some whoppers. Oh, we tolerate some lies, calling them exaggerations—like when we add a few inches to the big fish we caught. We aren't that tolerant, however, when lied to and cheated in a business deal or when an untruth threatens our reputation. Yet, anyone who says he's without sin is telling the biggest lie of all.

So where does that leave us? Guilty, according to 1 John 1:8. But notice the good news that follows in verse 9. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." That's a truth we all need to hear. And that's no lie! —HVL  — Herbert Vander Lugt