No Greater Joy

Greater joy is the outcome of children who walk in the truth. Parents are joyful; grandparents are joyful; mentors are joyful. The children are joyful. So, children walking in truth are an excellent goal for parents to have. Walk in the truth yourself, while at the same time training your children to do the same. Truth-walking is joyful living.

So this begs the question, “What is truth?” Truth is what God defines as truth. Hence, Jesus is truth. When we examine and learn about Jesus, we begin to know and understand God’s truth. Once Christ enters our life, we have an uncanny capability to embrace truth because truth resides within us. Now you can point your children to Jesus.

Your belief points them to Jesus; your behavior points them to Jesus; your words point them to Jesus; your note of encouragement points them to Jesus; your decisions point them to Jesus. Every day you have the opportunity to point your children to Jesus. Then walking in truth becomes as natural as breathing.

Walking in truth is not always easy; it requires the ability to stand-alone. Even when your closest friends choose to reject or ignore truth, you embrace it instead. Walking in truth is not a trouble-free life. It may, in fact, facilitate conflict, but you remain steadfast in your commitment to truth-living, and truth-telling. The truth is, when you and your children walk in truth, there is no greater joy.

So, it just makes sense that parents become truth-seekers, truth-livers and then transferors of truth to their children. This is a gift that keeps on giving. When you give your children the truth, you give them the way to live an abundant life. Your parental heart swells with pride when you see your children choose truth over a lie.

The by-products are numerous. Not only is there great joy that comes as a result of truth-living, there is freedom, peace, security, and productivity for the Kingdom of God. Therefore, do not be afraid of the truth. Truth is your friend. Truth is on your side. Truth can be trusted.

Be careful, however, to validate truth with God’s Word. Make sure your feelings are not accepting a façade of truth. When you believe a lie in the guise of truth you will suffer relational friction and joyless living. Some flaunt lies masqueraded as truth because it benefits them. Expose those who peddle deception disguised as truth.

Look to the truth-giver, Jesus Christ, for the final word. The Bible is crystal clear in all matters related to living out truth. God’s truth is clear. Its application may be hard or fuzzy, but His truth is transparent, timeless, and not trendy. As a parent, make it a priority to teach your children truth. Make sure their education is based on the truth of Scripture, for there is no other truth. Lead them to Jesus so that they can fall in love with Jesus.

Yes, challenge them to be intellectually honest with the premise that Jesus is truth and that the Holy Spirit will guide them in all truth. Truth is not illusive. So, live it, seek it, and pass it on to your children and others. Greater joy is awaiting all who hang out with truth. Invest in truth, and receive a return on investment of no greater joy.

Taken from the November 25th reading in Boyd Bailey’s Seeking Daily the Heart of God. This 365 day devotional book is a compilation of the reader’s favorites from Wisdom Hunters daily devotional. Andy Stanley says, “I have walked with Boyd for over 20 years and I am definitely wiser for it. You are going to love this book!”