Another important challenge that young people face today is staying away from the practice of lying. This is a serious problem that has affected the lives of many young people and that, sadly, has sometimes come to be considered normal. Some young people lie at school, to their parents, teachers, friends, at work, and even within the church. For some, lying has become a habitual way of avoiding problems, hiding mistakes, getting what they want, or protecting their reputation.
However, the young Christian must understand that lying has never been acceptable before God. Although the world may consider it something small or justified under certain circumstances, God continues to consider lying a sin. For this reason, the young person who desires to please the Lord must make the firm decision to always speak the truth.
GOD HATES LYING
The Bible clearly teaches God’s attitude toward lying. The wise man wrote:
“Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight”(Proverbs 12:22).
Carefully observe what this passage teaches. Lying lips are an “abomination to the LORD.” Lying is not simply a bad habit; it is a practice that God hates. On the other hand, God is pleased with those who speak and practice the truth.
Proverbs 6:16-19 also includes among the things that the LORD hates:
“A lying tongue” and “a false witness who speaks lies.”
This should help us understand the seriousness of this sin. If God hates lying, then the young Christian must learn to hate it as well.
THE CHRISTIAN YOUNG PERSON MUST SPEAK THE TRUTH
The priority of the young Christian should always be to speak the truth. Paul wrote:
“Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor’” (Ephesians 4:25).
Notice the first part of the command: “putting away lying.” The Christian should not merely learn how to control lying; he must learn to put it away, that is, remove it from his life.
Colossians 3:9 also says:
“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.”
Lying belongs to the “old man.” When a person obeys the Gospel and begins a new life in Christ, he must abandon the sinful practices that previously characterized his way of living (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Ephesians 4:24 reminds us that we must:
“put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
Therefore, the life of the young Christian must be characterized by truth, not by lying.
LYING CAN BEGIN WITH “SMALL” THINGS
One of the greatest dangers is thinking that there are “small” lies that do not matter. A young person may begin by saying something that appears insignificant and, over time, become accustomed to lying about increasingly serious matters.
For example:
- “I didn’t do anything” when they actually did something.
- “It wasn’t me” when they know it was them.
- “I already did my homework” when they have not done it yet.
- “I wasn’t using the phone” when they were.
- “I wasn’t late” when they know they were late.
- “I don’t know that person” when they do know the person.
- “I didn’t see the message” when they did see it.
- “I already did what I was asked to do” when they have not done it yet.
- “It only happened once” when they know it has happened several times.
The problem is not merely the size of the lie. The problem is the heart that has decided to deceive.
Jesus taught:
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).
The lie that comes from our lips reveals something that has first taken place in our hearts. For this reason, young people must work not only on the way they speak but also on the condition of their hearts.
LYING IS NOT ONLY SPOKEN; IT IS ALSO PRACTICED
Some people think they are not lying because they did not verbally speak a lie. However, we can also deceive through our actions.
We can lie by:
- deliberately hiding information;
- presenting a situation in a deceptive manner;
- altering the facts;
- using false excuses;
- cheating on an exam;
- forging a signature;
- altering documents;
- manipulating information;
- deceiving our parents;
- presenting someone else’s work as our own.
The Bible teaches:
“You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another” (Leviticus 19:11).
Although this passage belongs to the Old Testament, the principle of honesty and truth continues to be taught in the New Testament. The Christian must be a person of integrity both in words and in actions.
LYING AT SCHOOL
One of the places where young people may face this challenge is at school.
Some young people may be tempted to lie to avoid a consequence, obtain a better grade, or hide improper conduct. For example, cheating on an exam, submitting work that someone else did, telling the teacher that an assignment has been completed when it has not, or making up an excuse to justify an absence are practices that do not belong in the life of a Christian young person.
God’s Word teaches:
“He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known”(Proverbs 10:9).
Young person, even if other students cheat, you must choose integrity. Your goal should not simply be to obtain a good grade, but to please God.
LYING AT HOME
Another place where this problem can manifest itself is in the home.
Some young people lie to their parents to avoid discipline, hide friendships, conceal where they have been, explain a poor grade, or justify something they have done.
However, the Bible teaches children to obey and respect their parents:
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1).
Colossians 3:20 also says:
“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.”
Young person, remember that a lie never fixes a problem; it only creates additional problems. Perhaps a lie will allow you to temporarily escape a consequence, but eventually it can destroy the trust your parents have in you.
LYING AT WORK
The Christian young person must also be honest in the workplace.
He or she should not lie about hours worked, steal time, falsify information, hide mistakes, blame others for something they did, or say that a task was completed when it was not.
Paul taught:
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).
If we work for the Lord, then we must work with honesty, responsibility, and excellence.
LYING DESTROYS TRUST
One of the consequences of lying is that it destroys trust.
When a young person repeatedly lies, their parents, friends, teachers, coworkers, and brethren in Christ may begin to doubt everything they say.
Proverbs 25:19 says:
“Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.”
A reputation for honesty may take years to build, but it can be destroyed quickly because of lying.
Therefore, young person, protect your good name.
Proverbs 22:1 says:
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.”
Your reputation before God and others is worth far more than any temporary benefit you may obtain through a lie.
LYING CAN BRING SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES
Lying can bring very painful consequences. For example, if you are caught lying at school, you may receive a disciplinary action, lose privileges, fail a class, or even be expelled. If you are caught lying at work, you may lose the trust of your supervisors or even your job. If your parents discover that you continually lie to them, they may lose trust in you and discipline you.
These consequences are serious; however, there is a much more terrible consequence: losing your soul.
The Bible makes it very clear that liars who do not repent will not inherit eternal life.
Revelation 21:8 says:
“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.”
Revelation 22:15 also says:
“But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
These words are strong, but we need to hear them. God does not want us to lose our souls because of any sin, including lying.
LYING CAN ALSO DESTROY OUR INFLUENCE
The Christian young person must remember that others are watching his or her conduct.
Jesus taught:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
How can a young person be a light if he or she continually lies?
Paul told Timothy:
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
Notice that Paul specifically mentions “word” and “conduct.” The Christian young person must be an example of honesty in what he or she says and does.
WHAT SHOULD A YOUNG PERSON DO WHEN HE HAS LIED?
What happens if a young person has already fallen into this sin? Is there hope?
Yes!
The Bible teaches that God is willing to forgive the sinner who sincerely repents and seeks His forgiveness.
Proverbs 28:13 says:
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
The young person who has lied must recognize the sin, confess it, ask God for forgiveness, and, when necessary, ask forgiveness from the people he or she has deceived.
1 John 1:9 reminds us:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
We should not allow shame to cause us to continue lying. The right thing to do is to acknowledge the sin and begin walking in the truth again.
DECIDE TODAY TO BE A PERSON OF TRUTH
Young person, decide today that you will be known as a person of honesty, integrity, and truth.
When you make a mistake, admit it.
When you do something wrong, acknowledge it.
When you have not finished an assignment, say so honestly.
When you are late, do not make up an excuse.
When your parents ask you something, tell them the truth.
When your teacher asks you a question, be honest.
When your boss asks you about your work, answer with integrity.
And when you have sinned, do not try to hide it. Confess your sin and seek God’s forgiveness.
Remember the words of Jesus:
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
Young person, do not allow lying to become a normal practice in your life. The world may say that some lies are necessary, convenient, or harmless, but God has spoken clearly about this sin.
Lying may seem like an easy way out, but its consequences can be painful. It can destroy trust, damage relationships, affect your reputation, harm your future, and, above all, put your soul in danger.
REMEMBER:
God hates lying (Proverbs 12:22).
Lying belongs to the old man (Colossians 3:9).
The Christian must put away lying and speak the truth (Ephesians 4:25).
God desires that we walk in integrity (Proverbs 10:9).
Liars who do not repent will face eternal condemnation (Revelation 21:8).
Therefore, young person, do not lose your soul over a lie. Do not exchange your integrity for a temporary benefit. Do not sacrifice your reputation to escape a consequence. Do not allow one lie to become another, and then another, until it becomes a way of life.
Speak the truth! Practice the truth! Love the truth! Live the truth!
May God help you to be a young person who can say with the psalmist:
“I have chosen the way of truth” (Psalm 119:30).
And may you live each day in such a way that others can trust your words because they know that you are a young person who loves God, respects His Word, and always seeks to speak the truth.
