“Tell the Truth — It Will Set You Free”
Lately, I’ve noticed something in my home that made me pause and really pray. It wasn’t a loud problem or some big, dramatic moment — it was subtle. But it was consistent. I caught my children struggling with telling the truth.
At first, it was little things:
“Did you brush your teeth?” “Yes…” (But the toothbrush was bone dry.)
“Did you eat the snack I told you to save?” “No…” (Crumbs told another story.)
Now, I don’t expect perfection from my kids — they’re growing, learning, and figuring life out like the rest of us. But what concerned me wasn’t the behavior — it was the heart behind it. I saw the fear of getting in trouble, the desire to cover up, the tendency to protect themselves instead of confessing. And it made me stop and ask: Have I created a space where truth is welcomed, even when it’s messy?
I believe as parents, especially as believers, we’re not just called to correct our children’s actions — we’re called to shepherd their hearts. So I took it to the Lord. “God, how do I teach my children that truth isn’t something to be afraid of? That it’s not a weapon that brings punishment, but a doorway that leads to freedom?”
And the Holy Spirit reminded me of John 8:32:
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
That scripture isn’t just for altar calls or deep spiritual battles — it applies to everyday life. Telling the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, frees us from shame, fear, and bondage. Hiding keeps us bound. Confession brings freedom.
I sat my children down and shared this with them. I told them, “When you lie, you may escape consequences in the moment, but you’re building chains that will follow you. But when you tell the truth, even if it costs you something, it makes your soul lighter. It keeps your heart clean.”
The Bible is full of this wisdom:
Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
Let that sink in — when we hide sin or stretch the truth, it might feel like we’re protecting ourselves, but we’re actually hindering our own progress. But when we confess, there’s mercy. There’s grace.
And parents — let me ask you this:
Have we modeled that kind of truth-telling in our own lives?
Do our children see us admit when we’re wrong?
Do they see us tell the truth, even when it costs us something?
Do they see us trust God enough to walk in the light?
I had to examine my own heart. There have been times I’ve bent the truth or said something “harmless” that wasn’t entirely honest. But God isn’t calling us to half-truths — He’s calling us to integrity. And our kids are watching.
We can’t expect our children to love the truth if we haven’t shown them the beauty of it — even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
So this week, I challenge you — and I’m challenging myself too:
Let’s create homes where truth is honored more than comfort.
Let’s correct lies with grace but not ignore them.
Let’s teach our children that truth is not a threat — it’s a tool that keeps their hearts pure and their relationships whole.
Because the truth really will set us free — not just spiritually, but emotionally, relationally, and generationally.
Let’s walk in the light together.
Reflection Questions:
Do I make space for truth in my home, even when it’s uncomfortable?
Am I modeling truthfulness in front of my children?
What fears might be keeping my child from being honest — and how can I lovingly address them?
From a Daughter’s Broken Heart,
Shae’ 💔
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