The Truth About Lying
Opening Scripture:
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”
—Proverbs 12:22 (ESV)
God Desires Truth
From the very beginning, God made clear that truth matters. When He created the world, He spoke everything into being—truth spoken with power. God is not just a lover of truth—He is truth.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
—John 14:6 (ESV)
Because God is truth, any form of deceit stands in direct opposition to His character. Lying may seem like a small thing in human eyes—but in God’s eyes, it distorts what is good, right, and holy.
Why Do We Lie?
People lie for all kinds of reasons:
- To protect themselves from consequences
- To gain something they want
- To make themselves look better
- To avoid hurting others
- Out of fear or pride
But every lie, no matter how harmless it seems, breaks trust and damages relationships—with others and with God.
“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.”
—Colossians 3:9 (ESV)
As followers of Christ, we’re called to put off the old self and walk in the light of truth. Lies are part of the old way of life—before grace, before Jesus made us new.
The Father of Lies
Jesus described Satan with a chilling clarity:
“When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
—John 8:44 (ESV)
When we choose to lie, we’re not walking in the Spirit—we’re echoing the enemy. Satan used lies to tempt Eve in the Garden. He uses lies to confuse, divide, and destroy even today.
But praise God—Jesus came to set us free from the lies that enslave us.
Telling the Truth Sets Us Free
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
—John 8:32 (ESV)
Truth might be uncomfortable, but it is healing. When we tell the truth—even when it’s hard—we honor God. We step into freedom.
Confession, transparency, and honesty invite forgiveness and restoration. In contrast, lies trap us in guilt, fear, and shame.
Truth in Love
Telling the truth doesn’t mean being harsh or cruel. Scripture tells us to speak the truth in love.
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”
—Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)
The truth is powerful, but when spoken with kindness, it becomes transformative.
What If I’ve Lied?
The good news of the gospel is that no sin is beyond God’s grace. If lying has been a struggle—whether one big lie or a lifetime of small ones—there is hope.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
—1 John 1:9 (ESV)
God not only forgives, He restores. He gives us a new heart and a new way to walk—in truth, grace, and love.
Modern Application:
- In a world full of misinformation and false appearances, be a person of integrity.
- On social media, in your relationships, and in your business dealings—let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no (Matthew 5:37).
- If you’ve wronged someone with a lie, seek them out, confess, and ask for forgiveness. That step might heal more than you think.
Conclusion:
Lying may seem like a shortcut, but it leads to brokenness. Truth may cost something in the short term—but it always leads to freedom, peace, and God’s blessing.
Jesus is the truth. When we live in Him, we walk in truth—and we shine His light into a world full of shadows.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You are truth, and in You there is no darkness. Forgive us for the times we’ve chosen lies over honesty. Wash us clean. Fill us with boldness to walk in integrity and humility. Teach us to speak the truth in love, even when it’s hard. And when we fall short, help us confess and make it right.
May our lives reflect Your truth and bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.