Honesty sits near the heart of Christian character. Proverbs 12:22 is the most direct verse: "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight." The first thing scripture says about Satan, in John 8:44, is that he is "a liar, and the father of it." Deception is, in biblical terms, a posture taken from another kingdom.
The New Testament treats honesty as the natural fruit of new life. Ephesians 4:25 — "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." Colossians 3:9-10 names lying as something the old self does; the new self in Christ has "put off the old man with his deeds." Matthew 5:37 calls believers to such reliable truth-telling that an oath becomes unnecessary: "let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay."
The harder honest cases — when is silence a lie, when is a partial truth deception, are white lies wrong — scripture handles by principle rather than rule. Anything intended to deceive is deception. Anything that withholds appropriate information from someone who has a right to it is dishonesty. Tact and discretion are not lies; protecting yourself by misleading another person is.
If you've been carrying a specific lie — to a spouse, a parent, a friend, an employer — the way back is usually not a single brave conversation but a series of them, prepared in prayer, with wise counsel, and with willingness to absorb the consequences. See also gossip, shame, and repentance.
Verses
Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Ephesians 4:25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Colossians 3:9-10
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Proverbs 6:16-19
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Matthew 5:37
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Reflection
Is there a lie — small or large — you are still carrying that needs to be told the truth out loud?
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