Exodus 20:1-18
Verse 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
This command is often trivialized to “you shall not lie” but of course if it was that easy we probably wouldn’t need it to be a command because it seems simple to tell the truth. This is one of those commands where we like to use nicknames for the sin. We may refer to it as a “little while lie” or maybe “a fib” or “even stretching the truth” the term used doesn’t change the fact it is a sin.
As simple as it may sound, truth doesn’t come to us naturally, it is something we have to be intentional about. Of course it has to be more than just telling the truth. Words are important and it is best if we are intentional with our word choices but we shouldn’t use word choices to deceive. We have all heard it said, “honesty is the best policy” but do we faithfully apply that to our lives? We get upset when we find out we have been lied to or about and yet we tend to do the same things. Most of us have told a lie once in our lives.
Truth is as much about what we do and don’t do as it is about what we do and don’t say. There are times we lie by not speaking when we should. By not speaking up when we hear a lie being spread is as good as saying the lie is a truth. We can also lie without saying anything by not giving truth when asked for it. If we only give half the truth or a partial truth we are still lying. Sometimes we do this because we don’t want to be looked at differently and sometimes it is because we don’t want to face the truth ourselves.
We said it isn’t just about words and so we need to address the ways where we lie by actions or inaction. The thought of lying by action may be hard to understand but the truth is we live lies or truth just as often as we use words to express them. We act deceptively when we are sweet and kind to someone who we despise in our mind. We try to make them think we like them while we are just as ready to spew dislike about them to our friends. There are various ways we can deceive with our actions.
While some of these lies seem harmless, they are still breaking God’s command. And since Jesus called Himself the truth, we are denying Him by accepting lying in our lives.
Making It Personal
Is lying something you struggle with? Do you lie more with words or actions? Why are you most likely to lie?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you lie a lot? Why do you lie? Who are you most likely to lie to?
Closing Prayer
Father, we repent of the times we aren’t fully truthful. Please give us the desire to always tell the truth, in every way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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