What Does The Bible Say About Lying To Your Spouse?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that honesty is one of the most important character traits a person can have. But what about when it comes to lying to your spouse? Is there ever a time when it’s okay to deceive them? According to the Bible, the answer is no. Read on to find out why Christians should always be truthful with their loved ones.
What the Bible says about lying to your spouse
Well, many verses deal with dishonesty but here are a few key verses that deal with this topic.
Colossians 3:19 says,
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” Colossians 3:19 (NIV)
This verse is often used to teach husbands to be loving and gentle with their wives. But it also has a second layer of meaning. The word “harsh” in this verse can also be translated as “untrustworthy.” So, when husbands are dishonest with their wives, it goes against God’s design for marriage.
Ephesians 4:15 says,
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)
This verse goes hand-in-hand with Colossians 3:19. To have a healthy, Christ-centered marriage, both spouses need to be honest with each other.
Proverbs 12:22 says,
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.” Proverbs 12:22 (NLT)
This verse makes it clear that God is not okay with any type of deception, including lying to your spouse. Marriage is meant to be a sacred covenant between two people and God. When one spouse breaks that trust by lying, it goes against everything that marriage is supposed to be.
Psalm 101:7 says,
“He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.” Psalm 101:7 (NKJV)
This verse goes even further than the previous ones. Not only does it say that God is against lying, but it also says that those who lie will not be allowed to stay in His presence. This is a strong reminder that Christians should never lie to their spouse, as it goes against everything that God stands for.
Ephesians 4:25, says,
“So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.” Ephesians 4:25 (NLT)
This verse is pretty clear-cut: Christians are called to speak truthfully with one another, including our spouses. We are to avoid lying and instead always speak the truth.
Another verse that speaks to this issue is Colossians 3:9, which says,
“Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.” Colossians 3:19 (NLT)
This verse calls us to rid ourselves of lying and instead be truthful with one another. By doing so, we are living out our new identity in Christ.
What does God think of people that lie?
Now that we’ve looked at what the Bible has to say about lying to your spouse, let’s take a look at what God thinks of people who lie in general.
Revelation 21:8 says,
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (ESV)
As this passage shows, God hates all forms of deception. He views lying as an abomination and it is something that he takes very seriously.
Proverbs 6:16-19 goes on to say,
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV)
The text in this verse shows that lying is an act that God detests. ‘Hates’, ‘Abomination’, ‘Shed innocent blood’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Evil’. Lying is among other terrible acts according to this proverb, therefore should not be taken lightly.
How do lies affect marriages and relationships in general?
But why is it so important for Christians to be truthful with their spouses? After all, there are plenty of times when a white lie might seem harmless. But the Bible gives us a few reasons why honesty is always the best policy in a marriage.
First, lying to your spouse breaks the trust that is so important in a healthy relationship. Once that trust is gone, it can be difficult to get it back. And without trust, it’s hard to have a strong, lasting marriage.
Second, lies can lead to more lies. It’s easy to tell one small lie and then have to keep telling more lies to cover up the first one. Pretty soon, you’re in over your head and it’s hard to know what the truth is anymore.
Finally, lying destroys intimacy. When you’re not being truthful with your spouse, you’re holding back a part of yourself from them. And that can make it difficult to feel close to them.
So, what does the Bible say about lying to your spouse? In short, it’s not okay. Christians are called to always speak the truth with their loved ones, even when it’s hard. Honesty is essential for a strong, healthy marriage.
Can lying ever be justified or is it always wrong to deceive someone you love and care about?
While the Bible is clear that lying is wrong, there may be some cases where deception is justified. For example, if you’re trying to protect your spouse from hurtful information or keep them from worrying unnecessarily, it may be okay to withhold the truth.
Of course, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and speak with your spouse openly and honestly. But there may be some cases where deception is the best option.
What are some tips for restoring trust after a betrayal like cheating or lying has occurred in a relationship?
If you’ve been unfaithful to your spouse or have lied to them, it’s important to take some steps to rebuild trust. First, it’s essential to be completely honest with your spouse about what happened. You need to be open and transparent about what you did and why you did it.
Second, it’s important to take responsibility for your actions. You need to own up to what you did and accept the consequences. This may mean going through some difficult conversations or even counseling.
Third, it’s essential to show your spouse that you’re sorry for what you did. This may involve making some changes in your behavior or taking steps to make things right. And finally, it’s important to give your spouse time to heal and rebuild trust. This process takes time, so be patient and understanding.
What the Bible says about forgiving a lying spouse?
The Bible is clear that forgiveness is essential for Christians. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says,
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
This means that we need to forgive others, even when they hurt us. And this includes our spouses. If your spouse has lied to you, it’s important to forgive them. This doesn’t mean that you have to forget what happened or pretend it didn’t occur. But it does mean letting go of anger and resentment and giving your spouse a clean slate.
Forgiveness is essential for a strong, healthy marriage. It’s also an important step in rebuilding trust after betrayal. If you’ve been hurt by your spouse’s lies, take some time to pray and ask God for the strength to forgive. Then, have a conversation with your spouse about your decision to forgive them. This can be a difficult but healing step in your relationship.
Conclusion
The Bible is clear that lying is wrong and Christians are called to always speak truthfully with their spouses. Lying breaks trust, leads to more lies, and destroys intimacy. So next time you’re tempted to withhold the truth from your spouse, remember that honesty is always the best policy.
