JOSHUA 9:1-16
Lie detection experts believe that our natural tendency is to trust people. However, not all of them are trustworthy. Signs that someone is lying are restlessness, lack of eye contact, and noticeable pauses in speaking. Even with these tips, experts warn that it is still quite difficult to tell liars from honest people.
Joshua was approached trickily by the Gibeonites and he needed to know how to deal with them. They had found out that God wanted him to get rid of some neighbouring nations, they pretended to be from a far country, arriving in worn tunics and patched sandals, claiming their clothes and sandals had aged due to the very long trip. The Israelites were suspicious but did not seek advice from the Lord; and Joshua unknowingly made a peace treaty with the deceptive fellows.
As we live each day, people want to earn our trust: salesmen, financial advisers, friends (real and fake) or family members who are not close to us. We should not decide quickly based on what feels right to us. Better to seek advice from the Word of God, from godly people, or from God. The wisdom of God through these means will help us choose whom to trust.
🙏 Lord, protect us from deceivers, who lie and plot to take advantage of us and confuse decisions we need to make.
