Lying or telling the truth? 

No matter how many reasons we find to lie, there will always be much more valuable reasons to tell the truth. Lies destroy relationships. Honesty builds them up. 

Little white lies, big white lies, disguised deceits or indisputable fallacies, how many lies do you have to say to be a "liar"? One, ten, a thousand? Lying seems to have become so common that many people consider it normal and do not believe that this will change someday. But what happens to interpersonal relationships, society, and even our own character when lying becomes a way of life?

And what about you? Are you a trustworthy person? Can others trust your word? When he says something, is it necessary for his acquaintances to analyze it to discover if he has told the truth or if he has exaggerated or lied?

Why do people lie?

Some people use to lie to appear to be something they are not , thinking that a lie can make them stand out in some way. Others use lying as a strategy for their own benefit, advantage, or progress. Still others lie in order to harm their enemies, or in a futile attempt to lessen the pain that the truth could cause someone else.

And there are people who feel very comfortable telling half truths; They soothe their conscience by telling themselves that they have told much of the truth and therefore have not actually lied — or at least not too much. They think: "I don't lie compulsively nor am I a pathological liar." They seem not to realize that a "half truth" is also a half lie. Can we have a just society in which only 50 percent of what we hear is true?

Every time we lie or try to deceive others, we are drifting away from the truth and entering dangerous waters. Cheating is the foundation of unstable, problem-prone and decadent relationships. In an old proverb, Sir Walter Scott puts it this way: "What a tangled web we weave when we first choose to lie!" Often the first lieer will find himself needing a second, third, and fourth lie in order to cover the tracks of the first.

Lying is a sin

But is it morally correct to tell a lie in certain situations? No! Even though there are many human justifications for lying, lying is always wrong and harmful. In the first place, lying is contrary to the nature of God; As the Apostle Paul wrote, one of the fundamental characteristics of our Creator God is that he always tells the truth. In fact, he cannot lie (Titus 1: 2); Hebrews 6:18 tells us that "it is impossible for God to lie." What kind of relationship would we have with God if we thought he was not trustworthy? How could we have faith in Him or believe what He says?

In order for us to learn to be like Him, God Himself instructs us "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). In the current version of the Bible Translation, this passage is translated as "Do not tell lies to the detriment of your neighbor." And in Ephesians 4:25, Paul also advises us : “Therefore, rejecting the lie, speak truth each one with his neighbor; because we are members of each other. "

Telling the truth is a moral quality of such importance that God even included it in his Ten Basic Commandments. Lying is not a superficial matter in God's eyes! He is a true God and he expects us to follow his example by being truthful, which also benefits us and those around us. Surprising as it may seem, "all liars will have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (Revelation 21: 8). God will not give eternal life to a liar!

Decadence of truth

What has happened to honesty in the modern world? Are deception, falsehood, and fraud common in your conversations? Lying destabilizes interpersonal relationships and creates an insecure base on which it is difficult to further develop them. When we lie, we not only hurt ourselves, we also hurt those around us. Telling the truth is always the best for everyone, it allows us to forge healthy relationships and, eventually, a stable society of trust and security.

Honest reputation

Since there are not many people today who consider honesty to be an important value, it is our duty to practice it. In our quest to become perfect as the Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48), honesty must be part of our character.

Honesty is a quality that we should strive for. Wouldn't it be great if people knew us for always telling the truth? Not too sparingly, offensively, or callously, but wisely — being honest for the benefit of all.

In our life, the truth should shine even when we find ourselves in difficult and stressful situations; Our goal should be that "that by following the truth in love, we grow in everything in him who is the head, that is, Christ" (Ephesians 4:15).

As the apostle Paul said, we should be wrapped in truth, for this will give us spiritual protection just as a belt on our torso protects our internal organs. "Stand firm therefore, girding your loins with the truth" (Ephesians 6:14).

If you use to lie, the time has come to turn your life around; Make a decision today to become an honest person. God forgives liars and cleanses them from guilt when they decide to repent and change their ways. Repentance always involves striving to live as Christ lived, and this means seeking your help to live honestly from now on. Persevering in honesty can erase the stain that lies and deception have left on our character and reputation.

This is what God wants for us. Only those who learn to be honest in heart will eventually become part of his kingdom (Psalms 15: 1-2). No wonder John wrote: "I have no greater joy than this, hearing that my children walk in the truth" (3 John 1: 4). And, as Paul tells us, love "rejoices in the truth" (1 Corinthians 13: 6).

Begin today to live your life following the example of God the Father and Jesus Christ — the most honest Beings in the universe!