According
to lie-detection experts, “Our natural tendency is to trust people.” However,
not everyone is trustworthy all the time. Signs that someone may be lying
include fidgeting, lack of eye contact, and noticeable pauses in speaking. Even
with these clues, experts warn that it is still quite tough to tell deceivers
from honest people.
Joshua
needed to know if he could trust the Gibeonites. When they discovered that God
wanted him to get rid of some neighboring nations (Josh. 9:24), they pretended
to be from a faraway land. They arrived in worn-out tunics and patched sandals,
claiming, “Our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very
long journey” (v.13). The Israelites were suspicious (v.7), but they “did not
ask counsel of the Lord” (v.14); and Joshua unwisely made a peace treaty with
the deceivers.
Many want to gain our trust: salespeople, financial advisors, or estranged family members. If we wonder: “Can I trust you?” we shouldn’t decide quickly, based only on what seems right to us. It’s better to seek counsel from God’s Word (Ps. 119:105), godly people (Prov. 11:14), and God Himself (James 1:5). Wisdom from above will help us decide who to trust.
A desire for discernment is God’s call to prayer. (RBC)
