Devotional for Lying

As a therapist, I sit with people of all ages who struggle with lying daily.

Lying typically happens for two reasons: to get out of trouble or to exaggerate the truth to increase one's value and/or worth.

Think of the little kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar, and their immediate response is "I didn't do it." We are creatures of self-preservation. It takes maturity, honor, and responsibility to own up to our mistakes and actions.

It also requires confidence and a sense of one's worth.

Now think of the person who crafts tall tales or the person who is the 'one-upper'. They almost always struggle with self-esteem and confidence issues. The person believes they are not good enough as they are. So they make stories more interesting or dramatic to get a larger reaction, greater accolades, or more sympathy.

Lying can cause a person to lose trust and relationships. Lying also hinders a person from being the person God wants them to be and created them to be. 

In marriage, lying looks like:

• ‘I’m fine’ when you’re not
• Hiding purchases, texts, or feelings
• Exaggerating stories to friends or family about your spouse
• Saying ‘I already did it’ when you didn’t

And again, we’ve all lied—little white lies, exaggerations, omissions, or outright untruths. Sometimes to avoid pain, sometimes to look better. That doesn’t make you a terrible person; it makes you human in a fallen world. The good news? Jesus never lied, yet He took the punishment for every one of our lies on the cross. His truth sets us free, and His Spirit gives us courage to live in the light.

Healing honesty in marriage looks like:

• Starting sentences with ‘The truth is…’ even when it’s scary
• Creating a ‘no punishment for honesty’ rule—safe landing for hard truths
• Confessing small things quickly so they don’t grow into big secrets
• Speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15), gently and without accusation

Take the time to read the scriptures below and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your Bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God's words and feel closer to Him.

Exodus 20:16

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Ephesians 4:25

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Proverbs 12:19-22

Ephesians 4:15

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Psalm 34:11-14

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Proverbs 19:9

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish.

Colossians 3:9-10

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

John 8:32

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Proverbs 15:4

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Here's a short prayer if you can't find the words:

Father, forgive me for the lies I’ve told—big and small—to protect myself or look better. Thank You that Jesus is the Truth and He has already covered every lie with His blood. Give me courage today to speak only what is true, especially to the people closest to me. Heal the fearful or insecure places that make me hide. Make my ‘yes’ be yes and my ‘no’ be no. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Try one of these today:

• Tell the truth about one small thing you’d normally hide or exaggerate (even if it’s just ‘I’m not okay’ or ‘I forgot’).
• If you catch yourself in a lie or half-truth today, correct it gently as soon as possible (‘Actually, what I said wasn’t completely true…’).
• Tell your spouse one honest thing you’ve been afraid to say—and ask them to just listen and pray.

I sincerely pray that these scriptures meet you where you are today and help you to remember you are worthy as you are. There is no need to lie, tell stories, or exaggerate. No matter the response of others, God loves you exactly as you are because you are His.

God bless,

Melissa