True or False? – August 18, 2025

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Read: Jeremiah 23:23-29

“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD. “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 23:23-29 (selected verses)

True or False?

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It’s Monday morning. You walk into your classroom. The bell rings. And then your teacher says, “Time for a quiz!” You groan a little . . . until you see there’s just one question on the page: “True or False?”

How would that make you feel? Some kids might like it—there are only two choices! But others might think it’s too risky. If you get it right, you get 100%. If you get it wrong, you get a big fat zero. No in-between. It’s either true or false—it can’t be both.

Now imagine this: What if getting into heaven was based on just one “True or False” question? If you get it right, you live forever with Jesus! If you get it wrong, you don’t get in. No wiggle room.

That might sound kind of scary. But don’t worry—God doesn’t give us a real test at heaven’s gates. There’s no pop quiz we have to pass. But there is something we need to know now—right now—while we’re here on earth: the truth. And to answer this with confidence, we need to be taught the truth.

In our Scripture reading, God calls out “lying prophets”—false spiritual teachers—as those who “prophesy the delusions of their own minds” (Jer 23:26). That means they make up things from their own minds, not from God. But a true teacher is someone who speaks God’s Word faithfully—just as it is. There is no wiggle room; you can only be one or the other. God compares it to straw and grain. Straw might look big and fluffy, but you can’t eat it, it won’t help you grow. Grain, on the other hand, can be turned into bread. It’s real food that fills you up and gives you strength. Following our own dreams and desires that run contrary to God’s Word is good for nothing. Listening to God’s will is like that grain—it’s what feeds our hearts and gives us the truth about Jesus. And God’s will is simply this: that all would be saved through faith in Jesus alone as their Savior from sin.

With this faith, God’s question for eternal life is something we can answer with confidence: “True or False? Jesus died to take away every one of my sins.” By God’s grace, you know that answer is absolutely, “TRUE!”

Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, send us your Holy Spirit through your Word and through those who teach it faithfully, so that we may always believe the truth of your Son, our Savior Jesus. Your Word is real power, and we thank you that with it alone we have eternal life. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What is someone doing if they say something about God that isn’t true?


• What does a good teacher of the Bible do?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Would you like a one-question “True or False” quiz at school? Why or why not?


• Do you think it’s fair that God tells us clearly what is true and what is false? Why?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Where do we find out what’s true and what’s not?


• Why is it good that God tells us so clearly what is true from what’s not true?

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