A couple months ago Chloe, Cole and I got in the van and started on our way. As we pulled out of the neighborhood, I turned left instead of right. Chloe noticed the difference in our direction. "Are we going to school?" she asked.

"Not yet," I replied.

"Where are we going?"

"I’m taking you to the doctor."

"Am I sick?" Chloe asked.

"No."

"Is Cole sick?"

"No," I repeated.

"Then why are we going to the doctor?"

"He’s just going to look at you and help you stay healthy." I inwardly cringe, knowing deep down that I’m a big, fat liar.

I was really taking Chloe and Cole to get their flu shots. Of course, I didn’t want to tell them that because I knew they would freak out. I decided it was easier (on me) to let that information come as a surprise just before they actually received their shots.

Let’s face it, parents. We lie to our kids, don’t we? Sometimes we do it — as I did in this case — because we know that telling them the truth will cause more drama than we care to deal with. Sometimes we do it because it’s more expedient to tell them a lie than it is to explain the truth.

Please understand: I do not advocate lying to your children. All I’m saying is that as a parent, I’m sometimes less than truthful with my kids. And when I’m less than truthful, I can be very good at coming up with reasons (excuses) for why I am.

Isn’t it great to know then that your heavenly father doesn’t lie to you?

Scripture attests to this truth. In his letter to the young pastor Titus, the Apostle Paul clearly states that God does not lie (Titus 1:2). Furthermore, the author of Hebrews tells us that it is "impossible for God to lie" (Hebrews 6:18).

No, our heavenly father does not lie. In fact, through the record of Scripture, God tells us several important truths. He tells us the truth of our sin. He tells us the truth about our sins condemning us to Hell.

He tells us that he’s made provision for the forgiveness of our sin through Jesus Christ. And he tells us if we accept Christ as our savior, we will have an eternal home in Heaven.

Would it have been easier for God to tell us a lie? Maybe.

But if he had, we wouldn’t know about our sinful condition, nor would we know that God offers us a way to be forgiven. He tells us the truth because he knows the truth is what we need to hear in order to be saved.