Several years ago, a preacher wrote an article called, “It’s Okay Son.” I only recently ran across it, and wanted to share it with you this morning. At the end, I’ll conclude today’s devotional thought.

When caught for speeding one day, Johnny saw his dad give the policeman a $5.00 bill with his driver’s license. “It’s O.K. son,” the father said as they drove away, “everyone does it.”

When Johnny was 8 years old, he watched his Uncle George fudge on his Income Tax return. “It’s O.K.,” the uncle said, “everyone does it.”

On his first trip to the theater at the age of one, the seats were all sold out until mother produced a crisp new ten dollar bill and gave it to the usher. “It’s O.K. son,” she said, “everyone does it.”

When Johnny was 12, he broke his glasses through carelessness, and his Aunt Francis persuaded the insurance company the glasses were stolen and collected $27.00. “It’s O.K. son,” she said, “everyone does it.”

On the football team at 15, the coach showed Johnny how to block the opponent and grab the shirt illegally at the same time. “It’s O.K.,” the coach said. “Everyone does it.” 

When Johnny was 16 he took his first summer job at the market. His assignment was to put the over-ripe or half-rotten tomatoes at the bottom of the basket and the good ones on top. “It’s O.K. lad,” the manager said, “everyone does it.” . . . 

When Johnny was 19 he was approached by an upper classmate who offered the final test answers for ten bucks. “It’s O.K.,” he said, “everyone does it.”

Johnny was caught and sent home in disgrace. “How in the world could you do this to your mother and me?” the father said. “You couldn’t have gotten these ideas from home.” The aught and uncle were likewise indignant; “If there is anything the adult world can’t stand, it’s guys who cheat.” 

Parents often tell their children that it’s always right to tell the truth, and it’s always wrong to tell a lie. “Honesty is the best policy,” we tell them.

I wonder, though, how many times our actions contradict our speech? What about in the illustrations above? Are we saying one thing and doing another?

In Revelation 21:8, the Bible says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lame which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

If I die as a liar, the devil will say to me, “It’s O.K. Everyone here has done it.”
Guard your heart and your influence!

–Neil Richey