The Cost of a Lie
"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight." - Proverbs 12:22
Lying might seem like a small thing. It can be seen as just a little tweak of the truth to make life easier, to avoid conflict, or to make yourself look better. But the Bible doesn’t treat lying as a minor issue. Proverbs 12:22 makes it clear that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. That’s a strong word, abomination. It means something detestable, something God completely rejects. That’s how seriously He takes dishonesty.
The reason God hates lying so much is because it contradicts His very nature. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Truth is part of who God is, and when you lie, even if it seems harmless, you align yourself with the enemy, not with Him. Jesus called Satan “the father of lies,” and every time you twist the truth, you step closer to his influence rather than God’s.
But beyond what lying does spiritually, think about what it does to your life. Lies destroy trust. They ruin relationships. They create a false version of yourself that you constantly have to keep up with. One lie often leads to another, and before you know it, you’re tangled in a web that’s impossible to escape. What started as a simple exaggeration or a way to get out of trouble turns into something that weighs you down, making life more complicated and stressful than it ever needed to be.
The repercussions of lying aren’t always instant, but they always come. Whether it’s broken trust, lost opportunities, or the weight of guilt you can’t shake, lying always costs more than it’s worth.
But the good news is you don’t have to live that way. You can choose to walk in truth. It may not always be easy, and sometimes, telling the truth means facing uncomfortable consequences, but in the long run, honesty brings peace. It allows you to live with integrity, to be trusted, and, most importantly, to be aligned with God’s heart.
Are there areas in your life where you’ve allowed dishonesty to creep in? If so, bring it to God. Repent, make it right where you can, and commit to being a person who speaks the truth.
Lying might seem like a small thing. It can be seen as just a little tweak of the truth to make life easier, to avoid conflict, or to make yourself look better. But the Bible doesn’t treat lying as a minor issue. Proverbs 12:22 makes it clear that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. That’s a strong word, abomination. It means something detestable, something God completely rejects. That’s how seriously He takes dishonesty.
The reason God hates lying so much is because it contradicts His very nature. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Truth is part of who God is, and when you lie, even if it seems harmless, you align yourself with the enemy, not with Him. Jesus called Satan “the father of lies,” and every time you twist the truth, you step closer to his influence rather than God’s.
But beyond what lying does spiritually, think about what it does to your life. Lies destroy trust. They ruin relationships. They create a false version of yourself that you constantly have to keep up with. One lie often leads to another, and before you know it, you’re tangled in a web that’s impossible to escape. What started as a simple exaggeration or a way to get out of trouble turns into something that weighs you down, making life more complicated and stressful than it ever needed to be.
The repercussions of lying aren’t always instant, but they always come. Whether it’s broken trust, lost opportunities, or the weight of guilt you can’t shake, lying always costs more than it’s worth.
But the good news is you don’t have to live that way. You can choose to walk in truth. It may not always be easy, and sometimes, telling the truth means facing uncomfortable consequences, but in the long run, honesty brings peace. It allows you to live with integrity, to be trusted, and, most importantly, to be aligned with God’s heart.
Are there areas in your life where you’ve allowed dishonesty to creep in? If so, bring it to God. Repent, make it right where you can, and commit to being a person who speaks the truth.
Subscribe
If you were blessed by or directly benefited from this content, please subscribe to receive receive daily devotions to your inbox.
No Comments