Not A Word Of A Lie

If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.

Psalm 5:1-12

Reference: Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies. (Psalm 5:9 NIV)

Explore: At the moment I’m dealing with a young boy who often tells lies. It may not always be a significant tangent from the truth, but usually to make himself sound better than he actually is.

“I can do a back flip on my bike.” “My mum said I could eat whatever I want.” “I’ve got a jumping castle at my house.”

The sad thing is that this young boy thinks that he is impressing everyone with his tall tales, yet he makes such unbelievable statements that no one believes him anyway. The problem is escalated because even when he is telling the truth, it’s hard not to doubt what he is saying.

I recently read Mark Twain’s quote: “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” I had never thought of lying in this way. To keep the story believable you have to remember what you’ve said and what you’ve made up.

Application: Being deceitful is dangerous and often hurtful and the psalmist describes a person who lies as having a throat like an open grave. What a morbid reality of the death that we bring through our dishonest words.

To lie means that we have something to hide and God does not desire for us to live a double life. We all know it is wrong, but it’s so easy to bend the truth when our pride is at stake.

May we live in such a way that we are proud of who God has made us to be and honest in the actions we display.

Prayer: God, forgive us when we lie for selfish gain. Help us to be open and honest with our lives so that we bring glory to You. Amen.

Can your word always be trusted?

honest, lies, pride, Psalm, trust