Solomon wrote these words: Whoever walks in integrity walks securely. To walk in integrity means to do what is right and to tell the truth. It means you do not have to hide anything.
Ananya could have said Dinesh made the mark. That would have been a crooked path. A crooked path is a lie. When we lie, we have to keep watching it, and our hearts feel tight and worried.
But the truthful path is different. When Ananya said, "It was me," her mother helped her clean the wall. Her heart grew quiet again.
Walking securely does not mean we never make mistakes. It means we do not have to be afraid of being found out. God already knows everything. He sees us and He loves us. Telling the truth is the safe path, because we walk it with Him.
🗝️Telling the Truth
The Truth Is the Safe Path
Proverbs 10:9 — telling the truth keeps our hearts quiet and safe
October 17, 20262 min readNIV
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
— Proverbs 10:9 (NIV)
Proverbs of Solomon
Today's Story
✍️Fictitious Story
Ananya knelt at the low table with her box of twenty-four crayons. She was drawing a mango tree for Lakshmi. She pressed hard on the orange crayon, and it slipped off the paper. A long orange line ran across the pale wall.
Ananya rubbed at it with her thumb. The line smeared wider. She thought about saying Dinesh did it. Her hands felt cold.
Priya came in with the laundry basket. Ananya looked at the floor. "Amma," she said, "it was me. My crayon slipped."
Priya set the basket down. "Thank you for telling me the truth," she said. She brought a cloth and warm water. Together they wiped the wall until the orange line was gone.
Reflection
Think About It
• Is there something you are afraid to tell a grown-up? What would it feel like to say it out loud? • Who is a safe grown-up you could tell the truth to today?
Prayer
You are the God who sees me. You already know every mistake I make, and You still love me. You are not waiting to punish me. You are waiting to help me. So I will tell the truth today. You are with me, and I am not afraid. Amen.
Live It Out
If you make a mistake today, tell a grown-up the truth right away.