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Stop Lying

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A stand-up comic told his audience, "I wanted to go into politics, but I had this bad habit of telling the truth."

Dishonesty has become so commonplace in politics, in business, and in the world in general that it seems downright normal. But people know instinctively that they should tell the truth. We certainly expect it from others, knowing that the world can't function if no one is trustworthy.

The Bible takes lying so seriously that one of the Ten Commandments forbids it:

"Do not testify falsely against your neighbor."

Many other scriptures in the Bible address lying also:

The LORD hates cheating, but he delights in honesty.

Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed.

Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.

Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is true.

Do not testify spitefully against innocent neighbors; don't lie about them. And don't say, "Now I can pay them back for all their meanness to me! I'll get even!"

People with integrity have firm footing, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.

The godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.

Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds.

The Book of God's Promises -- Copyright, 1999 by J. Stephen Lang. All rights reserved, used with permission.

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About The Author

J. Stephen
Lang

J. Stephen Lang is the author of more than ten books about the Bible, including the bestselling The Complete Book of Bible Trivia, 1,001 Things You Always Wanted to Know About the Bible but Never Thought to Ask, The Bible on the Big Screen, Everyday Biblical Literacy, and The Complete Book of Bible Promises. Lang is a regular contributor to Today's Christian, Discipleship Journal, Christian History and other periodicals. He lives in Seminole, Florida.