Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!

Remember that old saying? I really never thought much about it until today. I received a call from one of my best girlfriends today about one of her children. This precious child of hers, who had just recently given her life to Christ, had been caught in several lies. I hope my friend doesn't mind me sharing this on my blog, but I think there are many of us parents who face this issue sooner or later. I recall going through a bad phase of this with each of my three children.

Lying. There's little white lies that happen once in a while, and then there is habitual lying. We tend to think that little white lies aren't the least of these two evils. According to God, both are equally as bad. A lie is a lie. So, my friend's sweet child lied A LOT this week. My friend disciplined her child, but to little avail. The lying continued even as the child was serving time. So what can a parent do to help a child overcome a habitual behavioral problem such as lying?

Well, there is the obvious, discipline the child according to the crime. Pray for the child and as God to help you. Talk with the child to help them understand why what he or she is doing is wrong. I remember when I caught my own children in lie after lie. For a short time, there, I didn't think we'd ever break that bad habit.

One thing we did do was show our children how much God hated lying. Yes, we pulled the God card on them. We let them know that even if we didn't know they were telling the truth, God did and that one day they would have to face him on it. We showed them how much God hated lying. Proverbs 13:22 says, "The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth." Notice here that God didn't just tell us what we shouldn't do, but He gave us the positive alternate behavior to model. He hates lying, but He delights in our telling the truth. Express to your child HOW MUCH GOD loves it when they tell the truth!

Another verse you can share with your child is Proverbs 26:23, "A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin." Help your child understand that their lies, no matter how small they think they are, can hurt other people. How their lies do hurt you. How lying can hurt your trust in them. You can also share with them the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Remember them? They sold their property and brought part of the money to the church. However, they claimed that they had brought it all. Well, Ananias was struck dead by God. When Sapphira came along, she was struck dead by God as well...for lying! I don't want to strike fear into little hearts so this may be a little to strong for a child. But what Peter last spoke to Sapphira is something you can share with your child. In Acts 5:4 Peter says "...You weren't lying to us but to God!" Help your child understand that God knows the truth ALL THE TIME!

You can also warn them that when you start lying too much, then you have a hard time telling the truth. Share with them Micah 6:12 which says "...Your citizens are so used to lying that their tongues can no longer tell the truth." Ask your child if they want to be like that? If they want others to not trust them or think of them as a liar.

As parents we know that the issue of lying is nothing to play around with. Be clear & consistent in your discipline, be firm, correct them in love, take certain coveted privileges from them until they show a sincere change, and use God's Word to help them correct their behavior. I am praying for you!

By the way, do you know what "Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!" means? I think I do!

In His Love, Cathy