Levo
Bible verses for lying
When the truth feels costly
The lie
A small lie is kinder, and it keeps me safe.
The truth
Lies feel like protection but they build a prison. Every lie needs another one to hold it up. The truth sets you free, even when it costs.
More truth
- A half-truth is a whole lie.
- If you have to hide it, it already has a hold on you.
- Telling the truth is how trust gets rebuilt.
Pause
Stop before you answer. Breathe. You don't have to say anything right now. But you don't have to lie either.
My verses
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.
Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain? He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart.
He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates.
So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Pray
Lord, I'm tempted to lie to cover myself. You are the God of truth. Give me the courage to be honest, even if it costs me. And show me where I need to go back and put things right. Amen.
Your way out
- Say: "Give me a moment, I want to answer that properly."
- Tell the truth now, even if it's only the first part.
- If you already lied, go back today and correct it.
- Ask yourself: what am I afraid will happen if I tell the truth?
- Tell your trusted person about any lie you're carrying.
Small lies, big cost
Excuses, exaggerations and "I'm fine" when you're not are where lying starts. Watch the small ones.
Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Go deeper: Walk in the truth
Five days in the Bible on this, one passage a day.
- Jacob's lie Genesis 27:30-38
- Ananias and Sapphira Acts 5:1-11
- When I kept silent Psalm 32:1-5
- The truth sets you free John 8:31-36
- Put off, put on Ephesians 4:20-25