I have a problem with lying
<>

Frankly Answered Questions - FAQs

I have a problem with lying.

Q: My name is Ryan. I have a problem with lying. My friends dont like it but i do it to not be embarrassed. recently i commited forgery on a report. i got away with it but then the teacher found out. my question is how to get my trust back from my parents. please e-mail back soon.


A: Dear Ryan,

As you have discovered lying separates you from your friends, teachers, and parents. The Bible tells us:

Do not lie to each other. You have left your old sinful life and the things you did before. You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you (Colossians 3:9-10).

So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body (Ephesians 4:25).

Lying violates trust and trust can only be earned back by time and doing the right thing. Here is what I would recommend:

  1. If you haven't owned up to your sin, confess it to your parents and teacher (tell them "I realize I screwed up and I'm very sorry for it. Please forgive me.").
  2. Tell them you want their help to stop lying and start telling the truth. Ask them for suggestions. (This shows that you are serious about changing and goes a long way to mending fences.)
  3. If your parents are willing, pray together to God for power to change. Make this a part of your family devotion time together or ask your parents to put it on their prayer list.
  4. Talk to your parents about your successes and failures. ("Dad, I wanted to lie today when...but I chose to tell the truth even though I was embarrassed." "Mom, I'm sorry but I wasn't honest about when I arrived home last night. I told you it was 10 PM, but the truth is it was really Midnight. I'll accept whatever discipline you think is appropriate, because I WANT to change.")
  5. As you change, your parents and friends attitude toward you will change. This takes time, but you will come to be trusted as a truthful, honest person and people will know that they can depend on your word.

You might want to check out our web page called "Stop Lying."

Joy and peace in Jesus Christ, our Power for change and growth.