The Cost of Lies: Choosing Truth in a World That Rewards Illusion

This morning, during my Bible study, I found myself sitting with a simple but uncomfortable truth: how easy it has become to lie.

Not just to others, but to ourselves.

We lie in subtle ways. We curate versions of ourselves to be more acceptable, more successful, more “together.” We tell ourselves stories to maintain a certain image, to avoid discomfort, or to protect ourselves from pain. Often, these lies don’t even feel like lies anymore, they feel like survival.

And the world around us makes this easier.

Social media feeds into these narratives constantly. Perfect lives. Filtered happiness. Carefully chosen truths. We are surrounded by messages that encourage comparison, performance, and illusion. Over time, it becomes difficult to tell where authenticity ends and self-deception begins.

When lies become normal, they also become heavy.

The Hidden Cost of Living a Lie

Lies always cost us something.

They cost us peace, because maintaining an untrue version of ourselves requires constant effort.

They cost us connection, because intimacy cannot exist where honesty does not.

They cost us clarity, because the more we lie, the further we drift from who we truly are.

Living in untruth often shows up as anxiety, exhaustion, shame, or a sense that something is “off” even when everything looks fine on the outside. The body knows. The soul knows.

And lies rarely stay contained. Even the ones we believe are “harmless” ripple outward.

How Do Our Lies Impact Others?

When we live dishonestly, even quietly, it affects the people around us.

We may become emotionally unavailable. We may set unrealistic expectations. We may teach others, consciously or unconsciously, that they too must hide parts of themselves to belong.

Lies distort relationships. They prevent real understanding. They block the possibility of being fully seen and fully loved.

And perhaps the most painful impact is this: when we lie to ourselves long enough, we forget who we are without the lie.

The Courage and Peace of Truth

Speaking and living truth is not easy. Truth requires vulnerability. It requires responsibility. It may mean disappointing others or letting go of identities that no longer fit.

But truth also brings peace.

When you stop carrying the weight of pretense, something softens inside. When your inner world aligns with your outer life, there is relief. There is freedom. There is space to breathe.

You were not born lying, not to yourself, not to others, not to the world. Lies are learned. And what is learned can be unlearned.

What Does Being Truthful Actually Look Like?

Being truthful doesn’t mean oversharing or being harsh. It means:

• Being honest with yourself about what you feel, want, and need

• Allowing your actions to match your values

• Letting go of roles that no longer serve you

• Choosing integrity over approval

• Living in alignment, even when it feels uncomfortable

The benefits are profound: deeper relationships, reduced anxiety, increased self-respect, emotional freedom, and a sense of wholeness that cannot be replicated by performance.

If You’re Tired of the Weight

If you are fed up with the lies, the ones you tell, the ones you’ve been told, the ones you feel trapped inside, you are not alone. And you don’t have to figure this out by yourself.

This is something I can guide you through.

Together, we can explore where the lies began, what they’ve been protecting you from, and how to gently return to truth without fear or shame.

If you’re ready to live lighter, more honestly, and more at peace, I invite you to reach out.

Truth may feel scary at first, but it is where healing begins.