God was quite explicit about lying. It is not to be done, period. Humans have come up with degrees of lying.
“A little white lie won’t hurt anyone.”
“If I don’t lie, it will hurt their feelings, so I’m doing it for their good.”
Thing is, your lies hurt YOU. They break YOUR covenant with God. They prevent YOU from entering His presence. They cause people to distrust YOU. YOUR reputation is shot.
Whether standing with one, in a crowd, or on the witness stand in a courtroom, God says to NOT lie/bear false witness. You must NOT testify falsely against your neighbor. You shall not lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth. That’s it. Regardless what or where you’re reporting, be fully, completely, truthful or don’t speak at all.
Incurring God’s wrath is much, MUCH worse than hurting someone’s feelings, not gaining a bribe, or not fitting in with the crowd. Just don’t do it.
This is part of the Big Ten (not the football conference, y’all!), the commandments that God told His people to teach to their children, to think on every day, to recognize upon going out and coming in. This is a behavior He expects from us. Always choosing truth over falsehood.
Let’s think about what we’re saying before we say it. If it’s not completely truthful, stop the words before they pass your lips. Just stop them. Even if you think you look foolish. Ask yourself, “Is my relationship with God worth speaking these words that are untrue?” Then choose well.
Coffee, Bible, Journal
