Regretfully, I must announce that this will be my last devotion. The time has come for me to move on to other things. I think my time would be much better spent with things like the Rubiks Cube, legos, and video games. April Fool's!

Gotcha! Every year on this day, for some reason, it's a game to fool people. Young and old, big and small, we trick each other and have a good laugh. In my experience however, it doesn't always end in a laugh. April Fool's jokes and pranks can sometimes turn ugly. I think there is something we often forget, deceitfulness is never fun.

Sure, April Fool's can sometimes be a harmless holiday. But, I think it's a good time to check our pulse about how we are doing all the other days of the year with honesty. Are you living with integrity and honesty? Or, do you often allow little bits of lies and deceit into your words and actions? Deceit can sneak up on us like a smooth talking salesmen, telling us loopholes are okay. Besides, it's getting what you want at any cost that counts, right?

I have learned the destructive power of deceit firsthand. I know how easy it is to stray from honesty into a web of excuses, and self-reasoning that steadily drifts away from the truth. I have deeply wounded people I love. Deceit is dangerous. Whether it's with our words or our actions, we must be careful not to deceive others.

God is very clear to warn us away from lies and deceit. "Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!" - Prov. 26:18-19 (NIV) There is such powerful imagery in this passage to help us understand the danger and folly of deceitfulness. I also like the Message Paraphrase version of this passage; "People who shrug off deliberate deceptions, saying, "I didn't mean it, I was only joking," Are worse than careless campers who walk away from smoldering campfires. "

If you shoot arrows up in the air or leave behind a campfire that is still burning, it's like saying, "I don't care if it hurts anyone." Proverbs 19:22 also says, "better to be poor than a liar." Whatever it is you are trying to gain with a lie or deceit it's not worth it. Even trying to avoid a rebuke or a consequence with dishonesty is not worth it. It's better to be an honest poor man, than a successful deceiver.

Jesus spoke often about the truth remarking that we must be lovers of the truth, and even saying the truth is what sets us free. And, at some point you've probably heard this from your mother, I know I did about a thousand times, "Honesty is the best policy!"

May you go before the Lord with your heat and your life open wide ready to admit where you have been deceitful and dishonest. Receive the forgiveness and truth of God. But, don't stop there. If you have wronged someone with your lies go make it right. A friendship with deceit mixed in anywhere is a bad fruit waiting to spoil and stink soon. Make it your goal to live with honest integrity and mark your life with humble honesty. Get rid of all deceit!

-Josh

P.S. By the way, I apologize for deceiving you earlier. I'm sure I'll write tons more of these Devos! ;)