I’m thankful you’ve finally faced this problem. Unfortunately, habits like lying usually don’t go away on their own. In fact, they often keep on growing, and eventually can destroy us. Perhaps God let this incident occur so you’d face your problem and seek His help to overcome it.

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why you find it necessary to lie? I don’t know how you’d answer, of course, but often, I’ve found, people lie for one of three reasons: to build themselves up, to get out of a jam, or to take advantage of someone (in a business deal, for example). While in the short term it may seem best, eventually lying destroys our reputation and only gets us into greater difficulty. The Bible wisely says, “Better to be poor than a liar” (Proverbs 19:22).

But whatever the reason (and I could list others), the motive is strictly self-centered and sinful in the eyes of God. That’s why the first step you need to take is to see your lying for what it really is — a sin that displeases God. Turn to Christ and confess it to Him, and then commit your life (and your tongue) to Him.

Finally, ask God to help you overcome this habit, facing honestly the reasons behind it and putting Christ first in all you do. The Bible says, “Do not lie to each other, since you… have put on the new self” (Colossians 3:9-10).