On this day in 1759 Parson Mason Weems was born.

Who on earth was Parson Mason Weems? you’re probably wondering. Well, in his book, The Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington, he wrote about young George cutting down the cherry tree. When confronted by his father, George supposedly said, “I cannot tell a lie,” and then he admitted his guilt.

That’s an interesting story, and it’s usually presented as historical fact. But no one has been able to verify that the event actually occurred. Evidently Mr. Weems invented the story to create a better image of George Washington for the American people.

These days stories, especially ones about famous people, spread quickly. Many people believe the stories just because they’re in print. Urban legends are that way. And some phony stories are hoaxes—started by someone trying to fool others.

These tales may cause people to respond foolishly. Some damage reputations. So be careful what you believe when you read or hear something. Always try to find out the truth.

In many of the early churches, false stories—rumors and teaching—were being spread. Unfortunately some of the new believers were being fooled and led astray. So the apostle Paul wrote them to bring them back to the truth of God’s Word.

Today’s Bible selection is one of those occasions. Paul was shocked that the Galatians were “being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ.”

That’s a good lesson for us, especially with so many false stories flying around these days. We should always check with the Bible to see if a statement or story is true. That goes for what we see on TV and in movies, what we read in books and on the Internet, and what we hear. The truth is way more important than an interesting story.

Don’t be fooled!

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ. You are already following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ Galatians 1:6, 7).

To Do

Ask your parents to tell you about the urban legends they once believed were true. Have them tell you how they discovered that the stories weren’t true. Then ask about something they’ve heard about God that isn’t true and what the truth is.

Also on this day

This is National Sausage Pizza Day.

1984—Space shuttle Challenger astronaut Kathryn Sullivan became the first American woman to walk in space.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.