Top X August 4, 2025 Devotional

PROVERBS 6:16-19 | ¹⁶ There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: ¹⁷ haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸ a heart that devises wicked  plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, ¹⁹ a lying witness who testifies falsely, and one who sows discord in a family.

Lying is a social disaster for us and our communities when we engage in it.

It is a social disaster for us as individuals because when we lie, we diminish the level of trust we command from others. Trust is the basis of intimate relationships, since it lessens the risk in openness and vulnerability for others. Friendships require it to flourish and it is the core of the kind of reputation that facilitates business relationships and cooperation in common enterprises.

It is a disaster for our communities because it sows confusion,    distracting others from reality. False ideas or rumors are easily spread, gaining momentum by repetition. Over time, people who have been exposed to deception lose faith in public discourse,    damaging our politics and common life.

How much do you trust public discourse?

Gracious God,

Help us to remember the damage deceit can do, to us and to our communities. Let us speak truly.

Amen.