Nobody will admit that they are a liar. Most of the time, liars do not even realize when they are lying! But a child of God should not indulge in this sin, especially when it comes to their relationships!
Lying is such a sneaky sin that it bears different names. First, it can appear in its pure form that we name … lie! For example, when a married man begins to flirt with a pretty girl, and says, “I’m single, too.” That is a flat out lie that only wounds all who hear it, near and far. That’s why God hates lies. “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another” (Leviticus 19:11 NKJV).
It was a lie that led Adam and Eve to disobedience. When a person is lying, it is always for their benefit and God does not want His children to think for their benefit only. We must always maintain a servant attitude towards our neighbor. Every lie is therefore purely inspired by the adversary of our soul. “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44 NKJV).
But a lie can have other names, to look less “evil”. For example, this sin sometimes disguises itself as flattery. We are not talking about compliments that raise the other person. Flattery is giving false compliments to another to raise themselves in the esteem of the other. They are fine words that seek solely to achieve personal gain; they are not authentic. “For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb; They flatter with their tongue” (Psalms 5:9 NKJV).
Flattery is a form of lying. Do not tell someone, “I’m so glad you’re here!” when you hoped this person would have stayed home! And above all, never, never use the name of God in your flattery: it would be the ultimate offense! For example, do not say, “God told me that He has another for you, and I don’t want to stop you from entering His promise”; when you just want to refuse their advances. If your compliments are not free, it’s flattery, a form of lying. “For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:18 NKJV).
Another disguise of lies is joking. This happens sometimes when someone speaks out a tough truth and then immediately cancels it by saying “no, I’m kidding”. If they were thinking that, then they are lying when they say “I’m kidding”. We must know how to stand behind our words, or otherwise, say nothing! God is not against humor, as long as jokes make everyone laugh and do not come from a lie. “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!” (Proverbs 26:18-19 NKJV).
One of the reasons why jokes can be so dangerous is because they open a door to sin. A married man who constantly flirts with other girls while saying it’s “a joke” will always end up in adultery. Because what comes out of our mouth, even the jokes, are a reflection of what is in our hearts. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45 NKJV). When you start dating someone, keep this verse in mind to assess the risks you are taking if you commit to them.
Finally, another form of lying is showing disrespect for our commitments and promises. If you tell someone “I promise you …”, you must do what you promise. It is the basis of integrity. If you are not sure if you can visit someone, do not promise that you will do it! Just tell them you’re going to try, but you can not promise that to them. In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus reproaches the Pharisees for their bad habit of promising things by swearing on heaven, and then not following through. “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37 NKJV). As a child of God, we must keep our word. God will judge us on all the vain words that we have said (Matthew 12:36).
Lying is a sin. Flattery, joking, and false promises are just another form of this sin. Be careful with your words. “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight” (Proverbs 12:22 NKJV).