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We lie because dishonesty offers us a false sense of refuge. With lies we try to control the narrative and put a positive spin on things that are either dubious or downright false. We’ve all done it at some point. Politicians lie to manipulate the will of the people. Dishonesty is a core practice of Satan (the Prince of Darkness). According to John 8:44, the devil is the “father of lies,’ and when we lie we identify ourselves as one of his sons or daughters.
Truth is the Foundation
Truthfulness is the coin of the realm of God’s Kingdom—it is the foundation upon which everything rests. This is why God has no tolerance for dishonesty.
“There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family” (Proverbs 6:16-19, NLT).
Building Our Lives Upon the Rock
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Look! I am placing a foundation stone—a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness. Since your refuge is made of lies, a hailstorm will knock it down. Since it is made of deception, a flood will sweep it away’” (Isaiah 28:16-17, NLT).
When we build our lives upon Jesus, the Rock, we no longer need to worry about being “outed” or “discovered” due to our lies. We don’t have to come up with elaborate stories or explanations about anything because truthfulness has no deceptive tail.
People are drawn to individuals who are known for their transparency and honesty. If you want to make a positive impact upon your neighbors and friends, be real. Tell the truth—in love. Use tact and kindness to protect people’s dignity. Don’t say anything to someone on Social Media that you wouldn’t feel comfortable saying to them in person. If you belong to a church community, encourage your pastor and church leaders to make authenticity and transparency core tenets of their leadership. Be the change you want to see.
For deeper discovery, read and discuss, Loving People, by Dr. John Townsend.
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