Lies destroy community and relationships
In describing the reasons for the corruption in Israel, God has a fair bit to say about the destruction that deception has caused in that community."They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me," declares the LORD. "Beware of your friends; do not trust your brothers. For every brother is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer. Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning. (Jer 9:3-5 NIV)David, Israel's greatest pre-Jesus king, agreed with God re the destructiveness of lies.
Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets. (Psa 55:11 NIV)And called out to God for rescue from the liars in his nation.
Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. 2 Everyone lies to his neighbour; their flattering lips speak with deception. (Psa 12:1-2 NIV)While his wise son suggested they're not wise for leaders:
If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. (Pro 29:12 NIV)
High maintenance
Lies are a real pain, because once you've told one then you've got to keep the act up. You can't just tell it once; you've got to keep all the lies you've ever told in your head so you don't end up contradicting yourself and getting caught out. I'd especially avoid them if you've got anxiety issues and don't want more to worry about.(Tangentially related proverb that makes my case seem more biblical)
A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour and a deadly snare. (Pro 21:6 NIV)
At the centre of dysfunctional relationships
Samson and Delilah's relationship seems abusive and self-seeking on both their parts. Seriously, read the story and imagine sleeping with someone who'd treated you like either Samson or Delilah had treated the other. Messed up. Lies were a staple part of their relational diet.Delilah then said to Samson, "Until now, you have been making a fool of me and lying to me. (Jdg 16:13 NIV)
Even with God
Most seriously, deception destroys our relationship with God. Repentance relies on bringing the truth to light. It is not possible without it. The heart that refuses to admit sin, to self and/or to God, lives in darkness. Whereas the heart that comes to grips with the reality of its own state and calls it like it is with God finds amazing joy and freedom.Only those who come clean experience full joy and freedom in God's forgiveness. If you keep a part of yourself back, thinking to 'work on it' so that you need not rely utterly on God in every way, then you will be a slave to that improvement.
We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:4-7 NIV)
I just reckon that lies are a poor investment if you want to have a really free, fun life.