As followers of Christ, we are to believe the truth (2 Thess. 2:12), love the truth (2:10) and walk in the truth (3 John 3). We are also to speak the truth, which sets us in stark contrast to “the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Eph. 4:14). Jesus is the incarnation of Truth (John 14:6). Repeatedly, Jesus began sentences with, “I tell you the truth.” If we are to be Christlike, our lives must be characterized by truth.

The truth is a basic part of our spiritual armor (Eph. 6:14). God is a God of truth (Ps. 31:5; Is. 65:16). He does not lie (1 Sam. 15:29). In contrast, Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Lying is linked to murder, immorality, magic and idolatry, and “all liars” are among those thrown forever into the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8). It is said of the 144,000 faithful ones, “No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless” (Rev. 14:5). Those who fear God are told to “keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies” (Ps. 34:13).

Jesus warned, “I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” (Matt. 12:36). The truth of what we say does not just matter now—it will matter in eternity. Here is what God says to presidents, ministers, businessmen, homemakers and every one of us:

“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” (Proverbs 12:22)

“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.” (Proverbs 14:25)

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)

“The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.” (Proverbs 15:28)

“Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.” (Proverbs 16:13)

“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free.” (Proverbs 19:5, 9)

 Photo by Mitchell Leach on Unsplash