“It is often the case that you swallow a lie about God, before you swallow forbidden fruit.” I’m enjoying a bible in a year reading plan by pastor and Alpha founder, Nicky Gumbel. In one of the recent days, there was that quote about swallowing lies. How true. We chase that illicit image because we believe it will satisfy (it doesn’t). We explode in anger because we believe it will resolve the problem (it makes it worse). We take that unnecessary financial risk because we believe it will lead to success (it probably won’t). The lies we believe often give birth to sin. As a dad, I’m always trying to impress the value of the truth on my children. We talk about Jesus being the truth (John 14:6). We acknowledge that the truth will set us free (John 8:32). We honor God’s word as the truth (John 17:17). We know that God loves us (1 John 3:1), we have value (1 Pet 2:9) and we’re redeemed (Eph 1:7). We owe it to our children to help them know, love and honor the truth. In doing that, we’re helping to expel lies and repel destructive choices.

How to answer your kids questions about God: Encourage your kids when they ask difficult or impossible questions. It demonstrates they are thinking through Who God is and Who He could be. We don’t truly take ownership of our faith until we’ve spent some time wrestling with it.

Pray for the future spouse your child will marry: If you have young kids, you are probably thinking about who that “special someone” may be for your son or daughter. There may be a few characteristics you want that person to have. You probably want them to follow Jesus, be honest and kind. And, clearly, if they’re to earn your child’s affection, they must know which chicken restaurant is the best (do I have to say it out loud?). Pray for your kids to have a “godly filter” for their future spouse, and to have the wisdom to “know one when they see one.”

“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” – Winston Churchill

“The main difference between a cat and a lie is that a cat only has nine lives.” – Mark Twain

“If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor.” – Albert Einstein

“If you want to have a healthy mind, you must feed your mind with truth.” – Rick Warren

Connect the dots. Are you habitually struggling with one particular type of sin? Are your kids caught in a sin pattern? See if you can connect the dots from the sin struggle to the lie underneath. Maybe there are several lies. You won’t get caught. A little bit is ok. This [??] will make me happy. What is it? What lie are you or your family members believing at the root of a sin issue? What truth must we replace it with?

Kent Evans
Author of The Manhood Journey, co-founder of Manhood Journey and Father On Purpose.

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.