The Cheat Test

The Cheat Test

Bible: Psalm 119:129-136

Reading

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me (V.133).

One researcher did some tests on human behaviour. In one experiment, groups of people were set a test and told they’d receive money for every correct answer they got. Those people didn’t know, however, that the researcher wasn’t interested in what they knew, but whether they would cheat. He set up the test so that the groups thought it would be easy to get away with cheating. They were allowed to keep their phones on them!

Before taking the test, one group was asked to write down as many of the Ten Commandments as they could remember. To the researcher’s amazement, no one from this group cheated! But all the other groups did have people making sneaky google searches on their phones. The point is, if we think no one is watching, we quickly get selfish in how we act and think.

Centuries ago, one psalm writer understood our need for help in living good lives to please God. “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me … Teach me your [ways]” (PSALM 119:133-135).

The ‘cheat test’ experiment shows our need for God’s guidance. Left to ourselves, we don’t live good, honest lives. God has given us the Bible as a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (V.105) to guide us in our choices and help us live well.

LIKE A COMPASS, THE BIBLE ALWAYS POINTS US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries