Do Not Lie

• Which of the Ten Commandments is easiest for you to keep? Explain.

• Which of the Ten Commandments do you think gets broken most often? Explain.

“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”
Leviticus 19:11

God called the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and led them across the wilderness to the promised land in order to create a new nation. This new nation would serve as a beacon to all the other nations of the world. It would show them what happens when an entire country faithfully worships and obeys him.

God knew exactly what laws and restrictions would be needed in order to create such a nation. He summarized them in the Ten Commandments. Among the ten laws that would be crucial to the new nation was this: “Do not lie.”

God understands what lying does to interpersonal relationships. Without a commitment to truth, there cannot be trust. Without trust, there cannot be respect. Without respect, there cannot be genuine love. Without genuine love, there cannot be fellowship. Without fellowship, there cannot be community worship. Without community worship, there cannot be a relationship with God. Without a relationship with God, there could not be the new nation of Israel.

Telling the truth is just as important to God today as it was in the early days of Israel’s history. We cannot have an intimate relationship with God until we commit ourselves to the truth.

PRAYER
Dear God, forgive us for the times we have broken your commandment by lying. Give us the courage to speak the truth in love always. Amen.