🧭 White Lies or Whitewashed Truth?
- Terry W. Bailey
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
🔥 Question: Should you lie to someone to protect their feelings? For example, If someone asks, “Do I look fat?” and you know they do, should you lie to avoid hurting their feelings?
🕊️ BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE:
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.”—Proverbs 12:22 (NKJV)
Right out of the gate, Scripture doesn’t offer an escape hatch for “little lies.” The Word says all lying lips displease God—even the ones dressed in good intentions.
⚖️ WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LIE “NICELY”?
Fear of Offending – We’re trained in modern culture to avoid discomfort.
People-Pleasing – Many lie to be liked, fearing rejection.
Avoiding Conflict – Truth may cause tension, so lies become shortcuts to “peace.”
Confused Morality – Some have blurred lines between kindness and compromise.
But here's the key: Kindness should never come at the expense of truth. If it does, it becomes false mercy, and it is no mercy at all.
📚 ILLUSTRATION:
A teacher tells a failing student, “You’re doing just fine,” to spare their feelings. What happens next?
They keep failing—until the consequences catch up.
The student feels betrayed, not protected.
Truth delayed becomes truth denied, and the fallout is worse than a moment of discomfort.
💡 JESUS NEVER TOLD WHITE LIES.
He didn’t tell the Pharisees, “You’re doing great; keep leading the people.”He said, “You are whitewashed tombs.” (Matthew 23:27). He didn’t water down the truth to win friends; He spoke the truth in love, not flattery.
💬 WHAT COULD YOU SAY INSTEAD?
When asked, “Do I look fat?”Rather than lying, say:
“You know what? You are loved and beautiful no matter what the mirror says. But if you’re discouraged, let’s work together on healthy changes.”
“What matters to me is your health and joy—inside and out.”
Truth + Grace = Righteous Communication
🚫 DANGERS OF WHITE LIES:
They undermine trust.
They model dishonesty for children and others watching.
They weaken your witness—your credibility collapses if they catch you in a lie.
They harden the heart—it gets easier to lie the next time.
🧨 BONUS VERSES:
Ephesians 4:15 — “Speak the truth in love...”
Colossians 3:9 — “Do not lie to one another...”
Revelation 21:8 — “...all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire...”
The Bible does not carve out a safe space for “innocent lies.”
✅ SUMMARY:
Telling the truth doesn’t mean being cruel—it means being Christ-like. God’s people are called to truth seasoned with grace, not lies sweetened with cowardice.
🙏 CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, teach me to love others with truth. Help me speak in a way that honors You—even when it’s uncomfortable. Let my words build up, not break down, and help me never trade truth for peace that isn’t real. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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