HONESTY OVER LIES
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I want to speak to you today about something that impacts all of us—something that seems so small yet can cause so much harm: lying. In a world where dishonesty is often seen as a simple means of survival or a way to get ahead, I urge you to take a moment to reflect on what the Bible teaches us about this issue. As followers of Christ, we are called to live in a way that reflects His truth and love in everything we say and do. We must face the reality that lying is not just a sin; it is a choice to walk away from the life God has called us to live.
Let me start by reminding you of something incredibly important: God is truth. Jesus, our Savior, said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Every word that God speaks is trustworthy, and He cannot lie. And as His children, we are meant to reflect His truth, not distort it.
In Numbers 23:19, we read, “God is not a man, that He should lie...” God cannot lie because His nature is the essence of truth. When we lie, we are walking against His divine character. Our words should mirror His truthfulness in every situation. When we bend the truth, we dishonor the very nature of God.
I ask you—when we speak falsely, what message does that send to those around us? We are called to be a reflection of His truth. Is that how we are living?
Lies may seem harmless, but they have the power to destroy relationships—relationships with family, with friends, and with fellow believers. Have you ever had someone lie to you? You can feel the betrayal deep within you. Trust is shattered, and no matter how much time passes, that lie can haunt you.
The Proverbs 26:28 tells us, “A lying tongue hates those it hurts...” Lies are not neutral—they always bring harm. I’m sure you’ve experienced the heartbreak that comes from being lied to. And I want you to hear this: when we lie, we wound others. Whether it’s a small lie or a big one, it causes pain and erodes trust. And remember, trust is the bedrock of any healthy relationship.
As Christians, we are called to love one another deeply (1 Peter 4:8). But how can we love if our words are tainted with lies? How can we build each other up in the faith if we’re not truthful? Lies create division; truth brings unity.
We need to remember that lying is sin—it’s not just a minor flaw or a human weakness. In the Ten Commandments, God specifically commands, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). It’s clear: lying is not something that can be ignored or excused.
Jesus said something very powerful in John 8:44: “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Think about that for a moment. When we lie, we are not just telling a falsehood—we are aligning ourselves with the enemy of our souls, the one who is the source of all lies. Let that sink in. Do we want to be part of that? Do we want our actions to reflect the very character of Satan?
Not only does lying hurt others, but it harms us too. Every lie, no matter how small, creates a rift between us and God. Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”
When we lie, our hearts become heavy with guilt and shame. And over time, that guilt can distance us from God. We cannot be close to Him if we allow deceit to rule our lives. Psalm 51:6 reminds us that God desires truth in the inner parts. When we are dishonest, it’s like a barrier between us and God. The more we lie, the harder it becomes to hear His voice and to walk in the fullness of His truth.
If you’ve been living in dishonesty, I want to encourage you today: there’s grace. But you have to be willing to come to God, confess, and ask for His help. He will forgive you and help you walk in His truth again.
There is something I need to share with you—a sobering reality. The Bible makes it clear that lying has eternal consequences. In Revelation 21:8, we read, “All liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” That’s a strong and unsettling warning, but it is there for a reason.
Now, don’t hear me wrong—this is not to say that those who have lied cannot be forgiven. But we must recognize the seriousness of sin. Lying is not something to be treated lightly. If we live in sin without repentance, we risk separation from God.
Let’s be honest with ourselves: no sin is worth the cost of eternal separation from our Creator. But here’s the good news—Jesus paid the price for all our sins, including the sin of lying. Through Him, we can be forgiven and restored.
In Ephesians 4:25, Paul urges us, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” As Christians, we are called to speak the truth in love. We are called to be truthful not just with our words but with our lives. We cannot claim to be followers of Christ and live in deception.
This is a call to each of us—myself included. Are we living in truth? Are we reflecting the truth of Christ in all we say and do? It’s not easy; the world around us pressures us to be dishonest in small ways and big ways. But we must choose truth, even when it’s hard.
Brothers and sisters, I urge you to examine your life. Are there areas where you have allowed lies to take root? Have you been dishonest with others, or perhaps with yourself? God is calling us to walk in truth. His Word tells us, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
Let us choose today to speak the truth, to live in truth, and to be a witness to the world around us of the truth we have in Christ. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. The truth will set you free—and it will lead you closer to the heart of God.
May we walk in that freedom every day, embracing the truth of who we are in Christ and sharing that truth with a world desperately in need of it.
In His love and grace,
Clarisse KAMPIRE