That is an ugly word isn’t it? But it’s a genuine word and it, in my opinion, should not be sugar-coated or avoided. With children we call it a “fib” or “making it up” but really it’s just a lie. It’s deceit plain and simple. James said in James 1:26 “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but DECEIVES his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” And my translation of that verse would be “if you think you have a relationship with God but can’t stop hurting others with your words then you and God aren’t as tight as you think”.
I have always told my children “you are telling a lie” when they are not telling the truth. The world lulls us into complacency on this issue as much as any other. A good example of this is a book I was reading to my 2 year old the other day. The name of the book is Thomas Breaks a Promise, and I noticed in tiny print at the bottom it says “previously published as Thomas Tells a Lie”. I’m not sure when the original Thomas books were written, I know it was years ago. And sometime in the recent past someone made the decision that using the phrase “tells a lie” was too harsh for a children’s book. But he does tell a lie. He causes someone else pain and trouble because he doesn’t follow directions and do what he says he will do. I want my children to know that a lie is serious business. And asking forgiveness when you tell a lie is just as important.