“No, I didn’t get into the cookie jar.” So said every kid caught with his hand in the jar and crumbs all over his face. It’s so cute when it happens that parents hate to break it to the little one that he was busted. The evidence is clear and his punishment is even worse for telling a lie. Unless of course it is total defiance and a refusal to do what mommy or daddy said. Then the little rascal is in big trouble.

One of the things learned from politicians and business leaders in the modern media age is their parents didn’t discipline them enough when they lied about getting into the cookie jar. Now they go on TV and boldly deny they did what their evil opponents claim they did. “Evidence, shmevidence. Who cares what the video or audio reveals, it’s not what you think it is.” And, depending on their party affiliation, their associated news media will join in and attack the accusers as liars and hypocrites. Celebrities, and politicians who achieve celebrity status, are in a different category and admitting the indiscretion only strengthens their hold on favorable public opinion.

Of course the only reason that matters to An American Missionary is how Christians (genuine or otherwise) will lie like a dog on a rug about their sins, regardless of the evidence. Again celebrity Christians (?) are in a different category and can turn their indiscretions into a redemption story with a repentance performance worthy of an Oscar. The rest of us usually get in a lot of trouble, especially if we’re affiliated with a religious group that actually cares about honoring God.

After offering Israel one more opportunity to repent and return to Him, the Lord was rewarded with a “No, that’s not my hand in the cookie jar” performance. However, being God meant He knew the truth and wasn’t fooled by the claims.

“And Ephraim said, ‘Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; in all my labors they will find in me no iniquity, which would be sin.” Hosea 12:8

Verses 9-10 & 12-13 remind Israel that He is the one who sent prophets time after time to confront them for their sin, and to rescue them from the consequences time after time. Then God answered their lie with the truth.

“Is there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, yes, their altars are like the stone heaps beside the furrows of the field.” Hosea 12:11

He concludes this section with a declaration of their punishment.

“Ephraim has provoked to bitter anger; so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him and bring back his reproach to him.” Hosea 12:14

So, the next time little Johnny lies and defies – blister his little bottom. Teach him that God requires us to stop sinning and stop compounding our sin by lying about it. Oh, and if you’re the one with your hand in the cookie jar, don’t lie and deny! Make it right with God and man, or the Lord will destroy your soul in hell.