What Is It in Human Nature that Compels Us to Lie?

Children will refrain from telling the truth when punishment is imminent for noncompliance to boundaries. With some children the impulse to lie evolves into a circle of deception, confrontation, and punishment. Children distort the truth to obstruct fear and shame.

When lying has evolved into a vicious circle, it has become so ingrained that little thought is given to telling the truth, for it feels normal to lie. That sounds impossible to believe, for it’s so difficult to understand the power of entrapment that's involved in a vicious circle of lying.

Colossians 3:5 instructs: “You must put to death earthly desires such as sexual immorality, indecency, lust, evil passions and greed.” Verse 9 continues: “Do not lie to each other since you have taken off your old habits and have put on your new self that is being renewed in God its creator.” 

Christ in you is your hope for self-control. You can do this!                

_________ 

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.

~Proverbs 12:22 New Living Translation

_________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

Can Self-deception Be Overcome?

When I first began to read the Bible, one of the many words I had trouble understanding came from John 1:47. While Jesus was assembling his disciples, Philip found Nathanael and brought him to Jesus. As soon as Jesus saw Nathanael he declared, “Here is a true Israelite in whom there is no guile.”

Guile actually refers to deceit or deception. It means lacking in honesty, deliberately lying to cover personal flaws and failures so others will only see what is acceptable. Everyone is afflicted with a touch of guile, if only in a moment of vulnerability, but for some people it’s a serious disability.

Fortunately, God provides help to fight against duplicity when there is a willingness to face the truth about failing to live up to God’s expectations. 

He knows you and everything about you and still loves you. Now that’s the perfect motivation for loving God and committing your life to him. Do that now. It will last a lifetime.  

__________ 

Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him and remarked, “Now here is a true man of Israel; there is no deceit in him!”

~John 1:47 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

 

The Lord hates liars but is pleased with those who keep their word.

~ Proverbs 12:22 Good News Bible

__________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

Can Habitual Lying Be Subdued?

Have you noticed that children do not need to be taught how to lie or deliberately hide the truth? This tendency seems to be connected to some perceived threat of punishment. Parents are saddled with the task of teaching children to be truthful, for lying can become a habit or behavior pattern that lasts a lifetime.

As a child, I was told that little white lies supposedly didn’t matter much. However, white lies can be a steppingstone to a lifetime of fabrications and falsehoods that become a sinful habit. This pattern may progress on to become pathological lying, where a blatant lie is indistinguishable from the truth.

If lying has become habitual, there is help. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of its depravity so it moves your heart and soul to confession and repentance. Ask Jesus to fill you with his truth and also with clarity so that whenever you’re tempted to lie, you will instantly recognize it. God promises you a way to escape, so be determined to take it.  

____________ 

Do you want a long, good life? Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from lying.

~Psalm 34:12-13 The Living Bible

 

Teach me your ways, O Lord; make them known to me. Teach me to live according to your truth, for you are my God, who saves me. I always trust in you.

Psalm 25:4-5 Good News Bible

____________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.