Telling the Truth

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Telling the Truth
Have you ever lied to your parents? How did you feel after? Did you tell your parents that you lied to them? Can you think of some reasons why people don’t tell the truth? I can! Some people lie because they don’t want to get into trouble. Others lie to get something they really think they want. And there are some who lie because they want to give other people a hard time. In this study, we will learn about the consequences of not telling the truth.

Question One

Do you remember the prophet Elisha who helped Naaman the leper to get healed? He had a helper named Gehazi. Gehazi appears to have been a good helper, but he had a problem. After Naaman was healed, he wanted to give Elisha lots of money and gifts, but Elisha did not take it. Read 2 Kings 5:20-22. Why did Gehazi tell Naaman that Elisha had sent him? Do you think Gehazi make a mistake or did he plan to lie?

note: Gehazi's lie did not only affect him. He also made it seem as if Elisha had changed his mind.

Question Two

Since Naaman was a rich man, Gehazi probably felt that his lie was not that bad. However, there is no such thing as a little lie. Once a lie has been told, the damage has already been done. Now that Gehazi had lied, he had to try to find a way to hide the lie from Elisha. Read 2 Kings 5:23-24 and discuss how Gehazi tried to hide his lie.

note: An old proverb warns, "What a crooked web we weave, when we first practice to deceive." Gehazi got the gifts from Naaman, and now he had to hide them for fear that Elisha would find out.

Question Three

People often think that they can get away with lying. However, it is hard to fool others, especially if they are friends with God. When Gehazi went before Elisha, Elisha knew that he had done something wrong. However, Elisha gave him an opportunity to tell the truth. Read 2 Kings 5:25-26. How did Gehazi respond to Elisha? Was it too late for him to tell the truth? What should he have done?

note: When a people lie, they immediately become guilty. Have you ever felt guilty? Its a terrible feeling. The best way to stop feeling guilty is to tell the truth.

Question Four

Gehazi was falling deeper into sin. He first planned to lie. Then he told the lie. After that he tried to hide the lie. Finally, when he was discovered, he told another lie to try and hide all the bad things he had done. He was given an opportunity to make things right, but he didn't. Read 2 Kings 5:27 to find out what happened to Gehazi. How do you think he felt? What lessons can you learn from Gehazi's story?
Question Five

There are a number of other texts in the Bible that talk about telling the truth. Read the following texts, and in one paragraph write why we should always tell the truth.

  • Exodus 20:16

  • Proverbs 12:22

  • Psalm 119:163

  • John 8:44


With the help of God, I will always try to tell the truth.
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