False Advertising — A LifeWords Devotion

If you were waiting to see a tourist resort promotion featuring damp and miserable visitors huddling under windswept umbrellas, don’t hold your breath. And those advertisements for retirement villages never show arthritic people shuffling around the place with walking aids. Only healthy, happy, good-looking people feature!

We need not be surprised. Such places want us to see their best side, which in fairness does exist. The sun does shine at holiday resorts, vital and active people do enjoy retirement living. The problem is that such advertising might mislead us into thinking the best of times is the only experience to be had.

When followers of Jesus seek to persuade others to become disciples, they need to avoid false advertising. Sure, there are many good times, culminating in everlasting life in the new heavens and new earth. But Jesus also promised hardship and self-sacrifice. There would be joy, but also trouble.

We need not paint an overly bleak picture of discipleship. But we need to convey truth. In our rush to have someone embrace Jesus, we may skip over the tough bits. We may make unrealistic promises to get them in the front door.

Jesus didn’t resort to sugar coating his message. He urged those hearing him to count the cost. This may have turned some away, but those who accepted were the real deal, not just hangers on.

Blessings

David

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