How many times have your children been defenseless in a lie? They might exist little white lies or "big whoppers" equally my grandfather used to say, but information technology seems that nearly children go through a phase where they feel like they need to tell untruths, for various reasons.

It might exist merely because they want to avoid punishment or they'reafraid that you lot will be upset if they tell the truth.

Sometimes, they're genuinely beingness mendacious.

Whenever it happens, it's like shooting fish in a barrel to experience sorrow over their choice to lie their way out of a situation.

Photograph by Caleb Woods on Unsplash

None of us is always perfectly honest.

Because of our fallen nature, we will struggle confronting this trend throughout our unabridged lives.

But for me, personally, for ii of our 4 children so far, once they hit age seven,their lying actually amped upward to the point where I wasn't sure I could believe annihilation at all that came out of their mouths.

Ane thing that helped was to talk to them about what Scripture says regarding lying and telling the truth.

We can lecture, wring our hands or get frustrated, OR nosotros can go to God's Word and permit that life-giving Give-and-take speak the truth,so our kids' hearts can start desiring to tell the truth.

How to talk to your kids about lying according to the BibleHow Christian Parents Tin Talk to Their Children About Lying

Talking to our kids almost lying tin be done wrong. So we shouldn't do this in an effort to demand honesty out of them (because that won't work) or shame them with Scripture (because that's the wrong use of God'due south Word).

Before yous address your child'due south truth-telling issues, remember two things:

  1. The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts and changes their hearts.
  2. It might take awhile for these changes to set in. Learning honesty is a long process, so don't be surprised if your kid doesn't "turn information technology effectually" after your first chat.

Recognizing that parenting is a long game helps us to be more than patient with our children as their grapheme develops!

5 talking points for conversations with your kids about telling the truth:

1) If you discover your child is lying, it'south best to accost information technology in private and then that y'all don't embarrass your child. I've made the mistake of talking about my kids sins in front of their siblings–non a proficient selection!

2) Explicate to them that lying breaks trust and that you want to have a trusting relationship with them. (Luke sixteen:x is a slap-up verse here).

3) Share how God wants our tongues to speak truth and our lips to keep from lies (for comprehension, this point usually works all-time when they're 5 or older).

4) Ask questions to notice out WHY they are lying. Sometimes it might be that they're scared you'll exist mad. Or it may be because they feel like they're going to get someone else in trouble.

v) Reassure your kids that you want them to come to you lot, and that they don't take to exist afraid of the consequences!

I've found it so helpful to tell my children, with sincerity, that truth restores relationships, and that is why I want them to come up to me, even if at that place may be some loss of privileges for lying.

Talking to your kids about lying; have a biblical conversation with your kids about this struggle!

**Remember too that we set an instance for our children. If nosotros find ourselves constantly bending the truth or flat-out lying, nosotros can't exist surprised when this bleeds into our children's life!

In addition to these talking points, I want to equip you with 11 Bible verses that address lying (and truth-telling) then that when this event comes upwards in your own home (because it will!), y'all tin can show them how God can help them!

11 Bible verses that address lying and telling the truth! Help your kids learn what Scripture says about being honest!

11 Bible Verses About Lying (and the Truth)

Psalm 34:13 – Go on your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. NASB

Luke sixteen:10 – One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very lilliputian is also dishonest in much. ESV

Psalm 51:6 – Behold, Yous want truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden office You will make me know wisdom. NASB

James 5:12 – But higher up all, my brothers, practise not swear, either past sky or past earth or by any other adjuration, only let your "yeah" be yes and your "no" be no, and then that yous may not fall nether condemnation. ESV

Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, whether in word or act, practise it all in the proper noun of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. NIV

ane Peter iii:x – For the Scriptures say, "If you want to enjoy life and run into many happy days, keep your natural language from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. NLT

Proverbs 12:nineteen – True lips will be established forever, only a lying tongue is only for a moment. NASB

Ephesians 4:25 – Therefore, having put abroad falsehood, let each ane of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. ESV

1 John one:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and simply and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. NIV

Zech viii:sixteen – These are the things that yous shall do: Speak the truth to i another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace. ESV

Proverbs 28:13 – Whoever conceals his transgressions volition not prosper, only he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. ESV

Want to dig deeper into this effect of lying? Need help using Scripture and practical advice that will transform your children's hearts (and tongues)?

My family devotional, Minding Your Mouth: A Biblical Written report on the Discipline of Taming the Tongue, can help yous with that!

This digital, printable 10 lesson family unit Bible report will guide you through talking with your kids near verses of Scripture that address the impact of our thoughts and words PLUS Biblical applications from these verses that can exist used in everyday life.

There are likewise lots of activities included to reinforce these truths to help these words from God create heart change in your child.

Permit God'south Word guide your kids' words!

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