“Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices.”
— Colossians 3:9 (NASB)
Kylie paused the movie when the phone rang. “Hello?” She rolled her eyes when she heard it was Darla, the boring girl who lived two doors down. “Sorry, but I can’t go to the pool,” Kylie said. “I’m doing chores for my mom.” She felt a twinge of guilt when she hung up, but lying seemed better than going to the pool with Darla or telling her she was boring.
Most of us think of ourselves as honest people, yet studies show that some of those who identify themselves as believers lie many times each day. Why do we do it, when we know that lying is wrong? Sometimes we don’t want to be held responsible, so we hide behind made-up excuses. Or we lie to avoid discipline. Or we want to look good to someone else.
Why is telling the truth so important in loving others? Because telling the truth builds trust, and lies destroy trust. If you love someone, you will tell them the truth. Telling the truth takes courage and confidence, but God’s Word is clear: do not lie.
More to Explore: Leviticus 19:11 and Zechariah 8:16
Girl Talk: Think of the last time you told a little white lie. Do you think it solved the problem, or did it make the problem last longer?
God Talk: “Lord, sometimes little lies seem to solve problems for me. Please help me to remember that the truth spoken in love is so much better than lies. Amen.”
From Shine On, Girl! by Kristi Holl