Just the other morning I could have spilled my cup of tea everywhere when I clearly overheard a man telling lies to the person he was speaking to. He was sitting with his wife while he made a mobile phone call in the public breakfast room of the hotel we were staying at in Louisiana. The person on the other end of the phone wanted him to take down an email address but he replied he couldn't because he was driving. Instinctively I looked up and our eyes met...the guy never even blinked! His wife gave no indication of surprise or concern...just continuing on with breakfast as usual. He then proceeded to tell them to hang on like he was going to pull over but instead he made them wait on the other end of the line for some reason — perhaps he was having a change of heart and felt a little guilty? Au contraire!

This is just one example of many that could be provided. People seem to lie as easily as they breathe these days, and are so used to it they really couldn’t care less because they are desensitized. They justify their lies in order to feel better about what they have said. When you do something often enough and are used to it then it becomes easier and easier to keep on doing the same thing. They think their lies will not be caught out; except they will be eventually. Through deception, believing they will escape any punishment or consequence, people are only fooling themselves. However, telling lies and spreading falsehoods will definitely catch up with every person at some stage, not to mention all the harm and hurt that lying causes This is just one example of many that could be provided. People seem to lie as easily as they breathe between individuals (Proverbs 19:9).

The 10 commandments contain 10 rules, of which commandment number 9 expressly states in Exodus 20:16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour”. For some readers it may be time to open up your Bible to see what our moral compass says; after all, God Himself personally spoke these words to Moses all those years ago. Many might say they are old fashioned or no longer as important, right? That was then, and this is now! Wrong!!! These commandments are forever and we better take notice and keep God’s law. They are there to help us build right relationships with God and with others. God’s people are to be the example to the rest of this very troubled world which is now, “as in the days of Noah” (Luke 17:26), steeped in lies. To lie is to commit sin. Sin is against God and is for the devil (John 8:44) and we know the devil is evil. Why practice evil?

I hate lies. The year was 1970 when I found out that Father Christmas was made up. I can remember exactly where I was standing on the school grounds in Grade 6 while I held my swap cards tightly and held my breath for the longest time, and then tears began to well up in my eye sockets. This could not be possible...could it? What does this now mean for me? My parents lied to me! This is unbelievable!!! These were some of my thoughts connected to the shock I had just received. I would have just turned 11. Old by today’s standards...how naïve I was back then believing everything my parents told me. It would never have occurred to me, that the most trusted in my life would deliberately lie about anything. Yet they did, keeping this tradition alive and well just like the Easter bunny. But the jolly old man bringing gifts was the most difficult to say goodbye to. It felt so nice to get gifts when all the family joins in, happy and carefree...or so I thought. This image was shattered forever on that fateful August day, and for the remainder of that particular day at school I was in a state of confusion. My life would never be the same again. This is my first memory of a lie. I did not know it at the time but trusting others would now be difficult throughout my life.

What does God say about lying? Does the Bible mention anything about small lies, big ones, white lies, or how about whoppers? Humans tend to think if we lie to protect someone we are doing a good thing and therefore it would be alright to lie — this is known as a white lie and this can be a very confusing concept to understand for children if they are not taught the right way. Children see what others do, especially their parents, and while I did not know the word hypocrite, I certainly knew the behaviour was suspect. Something did not match up and I did not like it. Kids are like sponges wanting to absorb everything from their parents in these tender years.

Here, below, are just ten scriptural verses taken from the Bible to provide God’s thoughts on the practice of lying and to give you an idea of what is contained within God’s Word if you are curious. There are many more to find if you do an internet search on “What does God say about lying”.

Proverbs 6:16-19 “These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren”.

Proverbs 12:22 “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight”.

Proverbs 14:5 “A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness will utter lies”.

Romans 3:13 “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips”.

1 Peter 3:10 “For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit”.

Psalm 5:6 “You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man”.

Jeremiah 9:6 “Your dwelling place is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, says the Lord”.

Ephesians 5:6 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience”.

Psalm 101:7 “No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will dwell in my presence”.

Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”.

Sobering words of warning indeed and much to meditate or contemplate upon. Let me leave you with Ephesians 4:15 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ”.