The cheat test

Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. — Psalm 119:133

Dan Ariely, an economics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, conducted some tests on human behavior. In one experiment, the participants took an examination in which they would receive money for each correct answer. The participants didn’t know, however, that Ariely was not testing their knowledge but whether they would cheat. He set up the test so that the groups thought it would be easy to get away with cheating.

Prior to taking the exam, one group was asked to write down as many of the Ten Commandments as they could remember. To Ariely’s astonishment, none from this group cheated! But all the other groups did have those who cheated. Recalling a moral benchmark made the difference.

Centuries ago, the psalmist understood the need for a moral benchmark and asked for divine aid in following it. He prayed to the Lord, “Direct my step by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me . . . Teach me Your statutes” (Ps. 119:133-135).

Ariely’s “cheat test” experiment illustrates our need for moral guidance. The Lord has given us His Word as a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (v. 105) to direct us in our moral choices. — Dennis Fisher

How precious is the Book divine

By inspiration given!

Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine,

To guide our souls to heaven. — Fawcett

READ: Psalm 119:129-136

Like a compass, the Bible always points us in the right direction.

The Bible in one year:

• 1 Kings 10-11

• Luke 2:20-38