“Yes, I floss every day and brush for 2 minutes.” Well, kinda, not really, according to a recent survey by Aspen Dental.
57% of Americans lie to our dentist. Why such dishonesty?
Most who have fibbed at the dentist say they are trying to impress the dentistry staff. Does this even make sense? Don’t we know that they can see right through our dental dishonesty by looking at and working with our stained teeth and bleeding gums?
Think about it. Your hygienist is less impressed by your fibbing than if you’d need three new fillings. Lying is a character issue. Fillings aren’t essentially related to your goodness as a person.
Good people may need fillings. But good people don’t lie.
Among those who told a tooth untruth, a large group said they were motivated by anxiety over possible dental work. Does this even make sense? Don’t we go to the dentist so that they can take care of any dental issues? If we (attempt to) cover up the issues, then why even go to the dentist?
Just silly. But we do it anyway. Like trying to hide ourselves or something we’ve done from God. We pray, but don’t confess. Like the Pharisee at the temple who stood proudly and tried to impress God, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get” (Luke 18:11,12).
Impressive? Not to Jesus. “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). The Pharisee didn’t get the true spiritual help and salvation he needed, because he lied to God (and himself).
Be real with God. Hint: He already knows everything about you. What you’ve done, what you’ve thought, how you’ve sinned. If he hasn’t already struck you with a lightning bolt from his holy heaven, it’s only by his grace and mercy.
You won’t surprise him by being honest. You won’t scare him. You’ll also draw closer to him with his open, reaching arms ready to embrace you with the blood bought promises of forgiveness.
Learn this practice in daily confession, repentance, prayer and meditation while you read the words of God in the Bible. Like a good dentist, God is able to help in ways you might not understand. He doesn’t need you to impress him, just to trust him.
PRAYER: God, I’d like to be more honest with you, and to do it more often. I trust you and your love, that I can confess, repent and believe that your grace forgives all my sins. Restore me through this practice, and draw me closer to you. Amen.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP: Try that P-R-A-Y acronym as a guide for your prayers. P = Praise God. R = Repent. A = Ask. Y = Yield, intentionally submitting to God and surrendering to his best answers. Focus today on the “R.”
