Anchor of Our Lives, Been So Good, Reliably True, Trust in God

What social media content have you been consuming lately? Are you conscious of any lies or false beliefs (especially subtle ones) that are communicated through the content you’re watching or listening to?

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”

44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is

The first four of the Ten Commandments deal with our vertical relationship with God, while the next six focus on our horizontal relationships with others. The ninth commandment instructs us: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” God calls us to love and protect one another by living in truth—both in public settings, such as the legal system, and in our private, everyday relationships.

All of us have lied at some point in our lives. That is why this command is so important. A society cannot thrive where truth is compromised. When false witness is tolerated, justice is distorted, relationships are damaged, and trust is broken (Deuteronomy 19:16–17). Lying takes many forms, not just obvious ones. It can include:

• Making excuses
• “White lies” to avoid discomfort
• Blame shifting
• Exaggeration
• Lying by omission or denial
• Self-deception
• Propaganda and deliberate misinformation (as seen in history through figures like Adolf Hitler)

There are also complex situations in Scripture where truth was not fully disclosed to preserve life. Samuel anointed David in secret. Rahab protected the Israelite spies (Joshua 2:3–4). The Hebrew midwives defied Pharaoh (Exodus 1:15–21). During World War II, Corrie ten Boom and her family hid Jews from Nazi soldiers. These examples highlight that God’s grace operates even in difficult moral situations. However, they do not redefine lying as good—God remains a God of truth.

So why do we lie? Often, we want to avoid consequences, protect our image, or get what we want in the wrong way. Sometimes we hold on to sin because it feels pleasurable. But at the root of all of this is a deeper issue: we do not fully trust God.

1. TRUTH SETS US FREE

Jesus said that knowing the truth sets us free, and if He sets us free, we are free indeed (John 8:31–36). In contrast, lying enslaves us.
Deception entered the world in Genesis when Satan lied to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1–5). That lie led to sin, and sin brought brokenness into all of creation. Lying has real consequences:

• It produces fear and anxiety, as we constantly worry about being exposed
• It creates a web of lies, forcing us to lie repeatedly to maintain a false image
• It damages and often destroys relationships
• It causes us to lose our sense of identity, as we begin believing our own lies

Lying never removes consequences—it only delays and worsens them. Ultimately, it leads to separation from God, because Satan is the “father of lies” (John 8:44), and a life built on lies reflects his influence.

2. TRUTH STRENGTHENS RELATIONSHIPS

Truth and trust are inseparable. You cannot build trust without truth, and truth is the foundation of every healthy relationship.
As followers of Christ, we are called to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15–16). This applies in every context—families, marriages, workplaces, friendships, and ministry.

Truth brings powerful blessings:
• Peace instead of anxiety
• Healing where there has been hurt
• Restoration of broken relationships
• Forgiveness and renewed trust

God calls us to walk as children of light—living in goodness, righteousness, and truth (Ephesians 5:6–10). Instead of hiding sin, we are called to expose darkness to the light (Ephesians 5:11–13). Once lies are brought into the open, they lose their power.

At the same time, we must guard against self-deception. Scripture warns that if we deny our sin, we deceive ourselves. But if we confess, God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us (1 John 1:8–9). Restoration begins with truth. If we desire healing in our relationships, we must be willing to be honest—even when it is uncomfortable.

3. TRUTH SAVES

Truth is not just a concept—it is a Person. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Real freedom comes from a relationship with Him. So why do some people who claim to know Jesus still struggle with lying? Often, it is because they have not fully surrendered to Him or trusted Him in every area of their lives. Truth is not yet central.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–5) shows how seriously God takes deception within His people. Their sin was not just lying to others—it was lying to God. Their story reminds us that God desires purity and truth in His church.

We cannot consistently live in truth without Christ at the center of our lives. Satan, the father of lies, seeks to deceive and destroy. But Jesus came to give life—abundant, full, and free (John 10:10–11). His words are trustworthy and true, and we can rely on Him completely (Revelation 21:5). When we choose to trust God and walk in truth, He directs our paths (Proverbs 3:5–6).

When followers of Jesus live out the truth that has set them free, transformation begins—not only in individual lives, but also in families, communities, and even nations. A world filled with deception can be changed by people who consistently choose truth.

Your life, your relationships, and your future will be shaped by this choice. When you walk in truth, you walk in freedom—and that freedom has the power to impact others for God’s glory.

Pray for healing and restoration for those who have been hurt and whose lives have been devastated by those who lied to them.

Share the truth (the gospel of Jesus) that will set them free from lies, and from speaking falsehood.

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.

• Pray for persecuted Christians in Sudan and Nigeria) — many have been beheaded and murdered; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.

• PRAISE God that all Israeli hostages have been restored to their families! Continue to pray for Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory. For Jewish people worldwide who are experiencing a surge of antisemitism. May this lead them to the Messiah, Jesus as they turn to God for help and comfort.

• For nations in turmoil (e.g., Ukraine, Middle Eastern countries, etc.) to experience true freedom in Christ and become centers for massive spiritual revivals in their regions. For new Iranian leadership to rise up that will be for the people of Iran, will promote freedom of worship that the Iranian believers will be able to reach out to the rest of their countrymen and the people of the Middle East.

• For the people of Mali who are experiencing a violent takeover of their government by Islamist terrorists.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• For elders, pastors, dleaders, and families to become holy, humble, harmonious, happy, and heart-working.

• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

“You shall not bear false against your neighbor.”