Like most of us humans, Abraham didn’t learn by making mistakes just once!!

Genesis chapter 20 sees him moving to a place called Gerar in the land of the Philistines, where he AGAIN foolishly spreads the half-truth that Sarah is his sister and not his wife.

At the command of Abimilech, the Philistine king, Sarah is summoned to his house with the intention of making her one of his wives. But God intervenes by causing him to dream a dream by night, and says to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” Startled, Abimilech responds that he had been deceived and was innocent of wrong-doing.

God tells him that He knows the details of his situation and says: “restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”

Sarah and Abraham are rebuked by the king who then restores Sarah to her husband and heaps cattle, sheep, servants and 1,000 pieces of silver on Abraham and tells him to dwell anywhere he wants in his territory!!

Often people lie because of fear, or to protect themselves from embarrassment or some perceived confrontation. But lies, even so-called “white lies” are a sure sign of a lack of faith in God’s ability to care for us. There is always a better way to handle a situation than by lying!

When asked a question which I feel may lead me into some confrontation if answered honestly, (such as: “Are you religious?”) I find a good response is to answer the question with a question, such as: “That’s an interesting question! What makes you ask that?”

“That’s an interesting question!” simply and positively acknowledges their intelligence and the fact that you are listening to them, and the question; “What makes you ask that?” will reveal the intent of their question. Their response to your question will often help you shape a wiser answer!

So, the best policy is; “Honesty with wisdom!”

Have a great day.