06/18/2026
18 June 2026
The Lying Lips
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.” (Proverbs 12: 22)
Murray Watts tells the story of a man baptized in a remote mountain village. Before his conversion, he was known as an outrageous liar, and the villagers doubted his sudden change of heart. When the minister immersed him in the icy river, the man emerged shivering. “Is it cold?” the missionary asked. “No, it’s fine,” replied the man. Immediately, a villager shouted, “Dunk him again, Pastor—he’s still a liar!” The joke highlights a real spiritual truth: true transformation begins in the heart but must be evident in the words we speak.
The Bible speaks clearly about lying. It declares that “lying lips are an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 12:22). An abomination is something detestable and offensive to God. While people may excuse lies as small, harmless, or necessary, God sees them differently because they corrupt trust and distort truth. Like a crack in a building's foundation, a lie may appear insignificant at first but can weaken the entire structure.
God's Word goes further and tells us that He hates lying. Among the things the Lord hates are “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who speaks lies” (Proverbs 6:16-19). Lying damages relationships, destroys reputations, and creates confusion. Consider Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11), whose deception before God brought serious consequences. Their story reminds us that God takes truth seriously.
Most importantly, lying is contrary to God's nature. Scripture says, “God is not a man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19), and “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). God is truth, and Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Therefore, every lie moves away from God's character, while truth reflects His nature.
The good news is that God delights in those who walk in truth. “Those who deal truthfully are His delight” (Proverbs 12:22). Honest people may sometimes face difficult consequences, but they enjoy God's favor and the peace of a clear conscience. Let us choose truth in our words, actions, and motives, reflecting the God of truth whom we serve.
Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God of truth. Forgive me for every dishonest word, exaggeration, or deception. Purify my heart and help me to always speak truth in love. Let my words reflect Your character and bring honor to Your name. Give me the courage to be honest even when it is difficult, and help me to walk with integrity before You and others. May I become a delight in Your sight through truthful living. In Jesus' name, Amen…...NBM