When a woman is pregnant, she daydreams about life with her unborn child. She wants the absolute best for him or her. Not many parents-to-be sit around and daydream about the day they tell a lie to their child just to make them be quiet.
Examples of lying to kids:
1) Driving by ToysRus and the child starts fussing about wanting to go to the toy store and the parent says, "the toy store is closed right now. The toys are sleeping so we cannot go there today." It is the middle of the day and they can see the store is most definitely open.
2) Trying to enter a museum with children and the parent lies about the age of their child so they can avoid paying the entrance fee.
I could go on and on with examples of lying. Our children do not learn lying from other kids, they learn it from their parents. If Mama and Daddy lie to their kids, why wouldn't they in return start lying? Lying can temporarily make the situation easier but not for long. Lying is always wrong. Always. We like to color-code lies. Do you use white lies, black lies or red lies? Regardless of whatever color you put in front of it, it is still a lie. Go back and read the definition of lie. "deliberate intent to deceive." Do you intentionally want to deceive your children? Why is it that so many parents lie to their children daily?
Set the example for your children. Titus 2:7-8 says "And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can't be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us."
If we want our children to live lives of integrity, we must model that integrity day in and day out. Children learn best from example, not long lectures. If we model a life of integrity, that will leave a lasting legacy for our family. Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Why are parents becoming so weak? We try at all costs to avoid disciplining our children. We do not like to see them upset or have to deal with their tantrums so a lie is created to make the bad behavior temporarily stop. Why not just state the truth, give a consequence for the behavior if it continues and then follow through with the punishment? It may not stop immediately but if you hold your ground consistently, the behavior will stop. When kiddos learn that their parents mean what they say and speak the truth, they in turn learn to respect your authority. It is hard to respect someone when you never know if they are being honest or deceitful.
The Bible is very clear that a person who lies is considered a fool. Don't believe me? Spend some time reading Proverbs. King Solomon, the wisest person to ever live, has some pretty intense things to say about weak foolish parents and those who do not speak the truth.
It is time to set the standard high for our families. Stop the lies and speak the truth! James 3:8 says this about the tongue, "It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison." It is a daily battle to speak life giving words and not lies.
Proverbs 15:4 "Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit"
Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus..."
I totally understand that speaking the truth is not always easy but when done with loving words it is "sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24.
Lying is sin. Even if you have good intentions behind the lie, it is still wrong. Lets set the example for our families and speak truth even when it is hard!
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