My young friend had just told me a huge lie, and I wasn't going to let him get away with it. He actually seemed glad when I stopped him. Shaken, he confessed to a weakness for lying and asked for help.
What was interesting was how his lie had developed. It started with a little exaggeration. But then it grew and grew until it culminated in an unbelievable whopper.
If you have a problem with lying, here are four good reasons for changing your behavior:
- God's Word commands us not to lie (Ex. 20:16; Lev. 19:11; Col. 3:9).
- Lying is often an attempt to cover our feelings of insecurity, but in the long run it makes us look worse, not better (Gen. 12:10-20; 20:1-18; 26:6-16).
- Lying doesn't work. People lie to protect themselves or to cover their tracks. But God always makes sure the truth comes out anyway (Num. 32:23; Prov. 10:9).
- Lying creates a trap. One lie leads to another. We forget what lies we've told and to whom we've told them. We finally get caught and are embarrassed.
Exaggerations and lies are habits born out of insecurity and fear. Call on the One who is the Truth. He will help you conquer lying and enable you to tell the truth. — David C. Egner
Help me, dear Lord, to be honest and true
In all that I say and all that I do;
Give me the courage to do what is right
To bring to the world a glimpse of Your light. --Fasick
If you always tell the truth, you'll never be trapped by a lie.