Colossians 3:9, “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”
Current studies show that the average person lies between 1-2x a day. Funny, but true, no one actual knows if these numbers are correct because people might have been lying during the research. Some people lie to make themselves look better than they actually do. The “Boasting Liar” will say they earn $100,000 a year when they only make $65,000. I even know some pastors that do this too. They’ll say they have 500 people in their church on Sundays when they only have around 200.
Some people lie to avoid conflict. The “Nice Liar” will say they agree with you in person but tell everyone else they think you’re wrong behind your back. Other times lies are told in business to take advantage of people. The “Business Liar” tells you the used car will last another 100,000 miles, but they know it most likely will break down in the next 10,000 miles. Politicians have a bad reputation of lying to the voters because they want to win the election. The “Political Liar” says they will not raise taxes while campaigning, but once elected they raises taxes because it was their plan all along.
The different kinds of lies lairs tell are numerous. How many lies do you tell a day? If you’re in the habit of telling lies, do you make excuses for the lies you tell? For example, do you think it’s better to lie to your friend and promise to set a date to hangout, but never do because you don’t want to tell them the truth about your feelings?
If we want to stop the lying epidemic in our culture then we must take responsibility to stop lying to ourselves and to each other.
According to Paul in today’s passage Christians are given a new nature that is free from lying. As disciples of Christ we have been born again and made like Jesus. God has changed us on the inside and taken away our old self with its sinful practices; including lying. Therefore, there is no excuse for a Christian to ever tell one lie again. Every time you are tempted to lie, make the conscious decision to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth- so help you God!
Do you struggle with being honest? If so, pray this out loud, “Father, forgive me for the lies I have told and the people I have hurt. Please give me the strength to be honest and always tell the truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Reflection
When was the last time you lied?
Action
- Repent to God for the lies you have told.
- Confess your lies to the people you have lied to. Ask for their forgiveness and commit to not lying to them moving forward. C.S. Lewis wrote, “A little lieis like a little pregnancy-it doesn’t take long before everyone knows.”
- Be led by the Holy Spirit to live a life of honesty in all you say and do.
One Year Reading Plan
Jeremiah 48:1-49:22, 2 Timothy 4:1-22, Psalm 95:1-96:13, & Proverbs 26:9-12. Click here to read online.
