The Truth will set you free

Introduction

Have you ever told a lie and thought, "It’s not a big deal." Maybe you wanted to avoid trouble, spare someone’s feelings, or make yourself look better. Sometimes, it even seems like lying is the easier option—at least for the moment.

But here’s the reality: Lying may feel like a shortcut, but in the long run, it damages relationships, traps us in deception, and even distances us from God. What starts as one small lie can quickly spiral into something bigger, causing hurt that takes years to repair.

Today, I want to talk about why lying is so dangerous and why choosing truth—even when it’s hard—is always the best path forward. Let’s look at three ways lying can hurt us and how truth can set us free.

1. Lying Destroys Trust

📖 Proverbs 26:28 – "A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin."

Trust is the foundation of every strong relationship. Whether it’s between spouses, friends, family, or coworkers, trust holds people together. But when someone lies, even about something small, that trust begins to crack.

Imagine for a moment that you have a brand-new mirror—perfectly clear, reflecting everything just as it should. Now, picture that mirror cracking, just a little. You can still see the reflection, but it’s distorted. And every time you lie, another crack forms. Eventually, if those cracks continue, the mirror will shatter.

That’s what happens in relationships when we lie. At first, the damage might seem small, but eventually, people start wondering, “Can I really believe them? Are they telling me the truth this time?” Once trust is broken, it’s incredibly difficult to restore.

Think about a time someone lied to you. How did it make you feel? Did it make you question other things they’ve said? That’s the damage lying causes—it plants doubt where there should be confidence.

👉 Application: How do we fix broken trust?

If you’ve lied, don’t cover it up—own it. Be honest about what you did and why.

Apologize sincerely. Saying “sorry” isn’t enough—work to rebuild the trust you’ve lost.

Be consistent. Trust is built over time. Start walking in truth every day.

2. Lying Leads to More Lies

📖 Proverbs 10:9 – "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out."

The problem with lying is that it rarely stops at one. One lie usually leads to another, and before long, you’re trapped in a web of deception.

Have you ever seen a child try to cover up something they did wrong? Let’s say a kid breaks a vase. If they say, “I didn’t do it,” suddenly they have to keep up that lie. They might say, “Maybe the wind knocked it over” or “I think the dog did it.” The more they talk, the bigger the story gets.

Adults do the same thing—we just get better at making our lies sound believable. We might lie about why we were late to work, why we didn’t finish a task, or even about something in our past. But the more we lie, the more complicated things get. We have to keep remembering what we said, who we told, and whether the story makes sense.

And here’s the truth: Lies always get found out eventually. Even if it takes years, the truth will surface. And when it does, the damage is so much worse than if we had just been honest in the first place.

👉 Application: How do we break free from lying?

Stop before you tell the next lie. Ask yourself, “Is this really worth it?”

Be upfront when you mess up. Instead of covering things up, be honest and face the consequences.

Develop a habit of truthfulness in the small things—then it will be easier in the big moments.

3. Lying Hurts Your Relationship with God

📖 Proverbs 12:22 – "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight."

Lying doesn’t just hurt our relationships with people—it affects our relationship with God. He is a God of truth. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

On the other hand, who is called the "father of lies"? Satan. In John 8:44, Jesus describes the devil as “a liar and the father of lies.” That means every time we lie, we’re aligning ourselves with the enemy instead of with God.

Now, I know that sounds harsh, but think about it. Lying is a tool of deception, and deception is exactly what Satan uses to pull people away from God. When we lie, we not only hurt others—we distance ourselves from the One who is truth.

But here’s the good news: No matter how many lies we’ve told, no matter how far we’ve strayed, God offers grace. When we come to Him, confess, and ask for forgiveness, He wipes the slate clean.

👉 Application: How do we restore our relationship with God?

Confess and repent. Be honest with God about where you’ve messed up. He already knows anyway!

Accept His grace. Don’t stay stuck in guilt—when you repent, God forgives completely.

Commit to walking in truth. Let honesty become part of who you are.

What Can You Do Next?

Now that we’ve talked about how lying damages trust, leads to more lies, and hurts our relationship with God, what can we do moving forward?

✅ 1. Confess where you’ve been dishonest – Whether it’s to God or to someone you’ve lied to, take responsibility. Don’t wait until you get caught—own up to it first.

✅ 2. Choose truth, even when it’s uncomfortable – Sometimes, telling the truth is hard. But in the end, it will always bring more peace than deception.

✅ 3. Ask God for help – Walking in truth isn’t always easy, but with the Holy Spirit’s help, you can live a life of honesty.

Conclusion

Lying may seem like a quick and easy solution, but in the long run, it only causes pain. It destroys trust, forces us into more lies, and puts distance between us and God.

Truth, on the other hand, might be difficult at times, but it brings freedom, peace, and stronger relationships.

Closing Challenge: Is there a lie you need to confess? A relationship that needs healing? A habit of deception that needs to stop? Take a moment and ask God to give you the courage to walk in truth.

🙏 Closing Prayer: "Lord, help us to be people of truth. Give us the courage to be honest, the humility to admit when we’ve been wrong, and the wisdom to restore trust where it’s been broken. Let our words and actions reflect You, the God of truth. Amen."

What are three specific ways that lying can harm our relationships?

Can you think of a time when telling the truth was more difficult than lying? What was the outcome?