Why Is Lying a Problem?

Lying is harmful to ourselves and to the people we are in relationships with. Lying is an act of betrayal, and it violates the trust your friend, partner, or family member is trying to build with you. When people uncover lies, depending on how damaging the lies are, some relationships are ruined beyond repair. The risk is not worth losing such a valuable connection. Lying also goes more complicated the longer someone lies. When people lie, they have to tell more and more lies to cover up the truth, which gets more and more stressful and emotionally draining. Because lies hide a part of our ourselves and our feelings, it also becomes more and more difficult for people who lie to know how they truly feel. Telling the truth is challenging, but it also frees us from the burden of dishonesty, and makes our friendships and relationships more trusting and stable. If you have lied to someone you care about, apologize, ask for forgiveness, and let them know how much you want to change this behavior. If you struggle with lying and are unsure how to stop, you can talk to a counselor or mentor about breaking the cycle. If lying has hurt you, a mentor can help you find ways to rebuild trust in your relationships. 

Understanding God's Hope and Help for Lying

Lying is a temptation like many others we struggle with. Sometimes it seems easier to lie our way out of a situation than admit the truth. But rarely does lying have positive results.  It often leads to hurt, mistrust, and an endless cycle of more lies.

It doesn’t have to be this way. God in his wisdom, saw the dangers of lying and the way it would hurt both the liar and the person being lied to.  He wanted something better for us.

In these Bible verses below God warns us about lying and encourages trustworthiness. If we are caught in a web of lies, God offers forgiveness and help for a way out.

Blessings for Honesty 

Proverbs 12:22 - The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

Luke 16:10 - Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

Proverbs 10:9 - Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Ephesians 4:25-27 & 29 - Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

1 Peter 3:10-12 – For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.

God Tells Us Not to Lie

Exodus 20:16 (From the 10 Commandments) - You must not lie.

Proverbs 6:12-13 - Let me describe for you a worthless and a wicked man; first, he is a constant liar; he signals his true intentions to his friends with eyes and feet and fingers.

Proverbs 6:16-19 -  For there are six things the Lord hates—no, seven: haughtiness, lying, murdering, plotting evil, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, sowing discord among brothers.

Consequences for Lying

Proverbs 19:9 - A false witness shall be punished, and a liar shall be caught.

Proverbs 21:6 & 8 -  A fortune made by people who tell lies amounts to nothing and leads to death. …But the conduct of those who are not guilty is honest.

Luke 8:17 - For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.

Psalm 12:2-6 – Everyone deceives and flatters and lies. There is no sincerity left. But the Lord will not deal gently with people who act like that; he will destroy those proud liars who say, “We will lie to our heart’s content. Our lips are our own; who can stop us? The Lord replies, “I will arise and defend the oppressed, the poor, the needy. I will rescue them as they have longed for me to do.” The Lord’s promise is sure. He speaks no careless word; all he says is purest truth, like silver seven times refined.

Satan - The Father of All Lies

John 8:44 - For you are the children of your father the devil and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and a hater of truth—there is not an iota of truth in him. When he lies, it is perfectly normal; for he is the father of liars.

God Forgives - It's NEVER Too Late

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Daniel 9:9 - To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him.

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Timothy 1:15 -  Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

God Will Help You Stop Lying

Philippians 4:13 - For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

1 Corinthians 10:13 -  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

There’s no question that lying is a destructive habit. Here are 8 practical steps on how to stop lying.