Teaching Kids to Tell the Truth
Lying is making an untrue statement with the intent to deceive and gain some advantage. As parents, it’s crucial to address this issue from a spiritual perspective because lying is part of our sin nature (Romans 3:23). The Bible mentions lying between 155-180 times, depending on the translation, highlighting its significance in God’s eyes.
Why Do Kids Lie?
Children lie for various reasons, including:
- To meet a need – They want something, like a cookie on the counter, and lying seems like an easy way to get it.
- To avoid trouble – They fear consequences, like breaking something and blaming a sibling.
- For attention – They exaggerate or fabricate stories to impress others.
God’s Perspective on Lying
Lying started at the beginning of time. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve tried to deceive God by hiding after they sinned. This shows that dishonesty is deeply ingrained in human nature.
God takes lying seriously, and so should we as parents. The Bible explicitly warns against it:
- Leviticus 19:11 – “Do not steal. Do not deceive or cheat one another.”
- Proverbs 6:16-19 – “There are six things that the Lord hates… a lying tongue, a false witness who breathes out lies…”
- One of the 10 commandments “not to bear false witness”
Lying damages relationships, erodes trust, and goes against God’s nature. As parents, our goal is to train our children to value truthfulness and recognize the long-term consequences of dishonesty.
How to Train Kids to Be Honest
1. Model Truthfulness
Children learn by example. If they see parents lying—whether about small things like “I’m not home” when avoiding a call or exaggerating stories—they will assume dishonesty is acceptable.
2. Create a Safe Environment for Honesty
Encourage open conversations where your child feels safe to tell the truth without immediate harsh consequences. Family discussions and Bible-based resources help cultivate this environment.
3. Explain How Lying Hurts Others
Help children understand that lying damages relationships:
- Breaks trust – When someone lies, others find it difficult to rely on them.
- Hurts feelings – Lies can cause emotional pain to family and friends.
- Makes life uncertain – Example: If parents didn’t follow through on picking up their child from school, it would create insecurity.
4. Be Gracious But Clear
- Don’t overreact when a child confesses. Instead, affirm their honesty while addressing the wrongdoing.
- Deliver appropriate consequences without anger, explaining that lost trust leads to fewer freedoms.
- Remind them that honesty is the pathway to greater trust and privileges.
5. Celebrate Honesty
Recognize and reward truthful behavior. When your child tells the truth in a difficult situation, acknowledge their courage and reinforce that honesty honors God.
- John 14:16 – Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
- Colossians 3:9 – “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”
- Ephesians 4:25 – “Put away falsehood, and speak truthfully to your neighbor.”
By intentionally guiding our children to embrace honesty, we help them develop character that reflects God’s truth and love.
