Why is it Important to Tell the Truth?
View TV shows, movies, videos, books and social media posts, and you will see an ungodly trend. You’ll see that it’s supposedly cute to twist or stretch the truth, completely hide the truth and even get away with telling sneaky lies. Some even wear their achievements like a badge of honor.
If we’re not careful, we can find ourselves laughing along with these plots and start feeling like it’s not that big of a deal.
But in TRUTH….
There is nothing cute or clever about telling a lie — even if you get away with it at the moment. And by the way, a truth stretched is still a lie. We can’t paint it any other color, nor call it by any other name.
I had a friend in Bible college who skirted around the truth once. After being convicted, she went to that person to confess her wrong doing. I admired her so much that she went the extra mile of making the situation right after her conviction.
I also remember feeling so convicted myself. I’ve always aimed to be a truthful person, even when it meant terrible consequences…
But, the conviction went deeper… it was the fact that we can all end up stretching or twisting the truth when we’re not careful with our words. After this experience, I wanted to take more caution on speaking honestly in telling personal stories or whatever it may be that I’m speaking about.
God’s Word is our solid foundation for living a Godly life that will yield many blessings to us. It’s not difficult to understand biblical principles, but when we’re not faithfully reading and studying God’s Word, it’s easy to fall through the loose cracks in our foundation and mesh in with humanistic idealism.
I’ve chosen 20 Bible verses on the topic of speaking the TRUTH for a short, simple Bible study.
SIDE NOTE: I also added very short blurbs for each Bible verse. These are not complete commentary explanations, but rather just a quick thought of my own. *As a weekly project, you can write some or all of these Bible verses in your journal and write your own thoughts.
20 Bible Verses on the Topic of Speaking the Truth:
“Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.” – Leviticus 19:11
From the very beginning, God’s law made it very clear that we are to speak the truth and avoid lying.
“LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” – Psalm 15:1,2 kjv
I want to have a close relationship with my Heavenly Father, therefore, I want to walk in righteousness and have a heart for truthfulness.
“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” – Psalm 25:5 kjv
We need need to ask God to lead us in truth.
“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” – Psalm 34:13 kjv
Don’t skirt around the truth or use trickery. *Guile means sly and cunning.
“He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.” – Proverbs 12:17 kjv
The evidence of our honesty should be shown through our righteous living because we are governed by our biblical principles.
“The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” – Proverbs 12:19 kjv
The words of truth are consistent. The one who always tells the truth establishes a reputation of honor.
“Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.” – Proverbs 12:22 kjv (*Also see Proverbs 6:17 kjv)
God hates lying lips! I don’t know about you, but I want to be a delight to God by being truthful!
“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.” – Proverbs 19:5 kjv
There is always consequences for sin; therefore, there is consequences for lying.
“Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.” – Proverbs 24:28 kjv
We are not to be deceitful or a false witness.
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” – Proverbs 30:5,6 kjv
God’s Word is pure; the ultimate truth. And, in saying that, we must be careful not to add to His words. Sometimes we can carelessly add to God’s Word by pushing our own view points and twisting the words written in the Bible. We are considered a liar to do so.
“These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:” – Zechariah 8:16 kjv
We are to speak the truth to everybody. Our neighbor is considered whomever we are around — Christian or not.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” – John 8:32 kjv
Truth is freedom. Satan’s lies enslave us in bondage.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:6 kjv
We’re to follow Jesus’ example, who is truth; therefore we should speak in truth.
“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” – Galatians 4:16 kjv
We have to remember that it’s not always easy to speak the truth, but it’s always right to do. The world and worldly Christians are often offended and angry at the truth.
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” – Ephesians 4:15 kjv
We can end up speaking the truth, but do it in any angry or hurtful manner. We should speak the truth in love.
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” – Ephesians 4:25 kjv
We’re to stop lying and start speaking the truth. And referring back to Zechariah 8:16, we again see that we’re to speak the truth to everyone (our neighbors).
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8 kjv
We’re to “think” on those things which are true and honest. I believe when we make sure to think on truth, truth will come from our lips.
“But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” – James 5:12 kjv
Let’s be very direct in our truth. Our honesty should be so dependable, that there is no need to swear by any other oath.
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” – Titus 1:2 kjv
God cannot lie; therefore, we can always depend on Him to be Truth. We can see how important truth is to God!
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” – III John 1:4 kjv
I know this verse may not necessarily refer to parenting, but I know we parents feel the joy of seeing our children growing and walking in the Lord. For this reason, we must pass on the torch by teaching them the importance of walking in TRUTH and speaking the TRUTH.
