April Fools’ Day is all about pranks, jokes, and harmless deception—but when it comes to relationships, lying is no laughing matter. Take this scenario, for example:

A man had been having an affair. His boss, sensing something was wrong, looked him in the eyes and said, “Pretend like this is God sitting right in front of you. Are you having an affair with a co-worker?”

He looked her squarely in the eyes and said, “No, I am not.” But here’s the kicker—it wasn’t April Fools’. He was lying. He was having an affair, and yet he chose to deceive his boss. And this was a man who called himself a Christian.

Unfortunately, this isn’t some joke or funny anecdote—it’s a painful reality that so many people face when dishonesty seeps into their relationships. And as much as we like to joke on April 1st, lying is never something to take lightly, especially when it’s part of the fabric of your relationship with others.

Lies Can Have Serious Consequences

The Bible makes it crystal clear that lying is a sin. Take Ananias and Sapphira, for example. In the book of Acts, they lied about selling property and kept part of the proceeds for themselves. The consequence? God struck them down—dead. Now, while we may not face immediate death for telling lies in today’s world, the Bible’s message still rings true: deception has consequences. The emotional and relational damage caused by lies can be devastating.

Lying may seem convenient or even harmless at the time, but it destroys trust—the bedrock of any meaningful relationship. Whether it’s lying to a partner, a friend, or a boss, deception always has repercussions. Lies erode intimacy and build walls instead of bridges.

“Little White Lies” Aren’t Harmless

Sometimes people justify lying, thinking a little “white lie” won’t hurt anyone. “It’s just to avoid a confrontation,” they might say. But in reality, there’s no such thing as a harmless lie in God’s eyes. A lie is a lie. When we deceive, we distance ourselves from others and from God. What’s more, “harmless” lies often snowball into bigger deceptions over time. As the saying goes, The truth will find you out. And when the truth eventually comes to light, it’s often worse than if the person had just been honest from the beginning.

Why Do We Lie?

Lying isn’t always as simple as “being bad.” People lie for a variety of reasons. Some lie because they believe the other person can’t handle the truth. But while the truth can be hard to hear, it’s usually better to face it head-on rather than deal with the bigger hurt caused by a lie. The emotional upheaval that comes with facing the truth is tough, but it’s nothing compared to the betrayal that comes when trust is broken.

Others may lie because they want to protect their lifestyle. They want to preserve their image, maintain their relationships, or keep things comfortable. But again, these lies often lead to pain, especially when the truth comes to light.

Then, there are those who lie to make themselves look better. We’ve all been guilty of embellishing the truth from time to time. But when we do, we risk damaging our credibility and trustworthiness.

Choose Honesty Over Deception

So, what’s the message here? Lying is never the answer. It might feel easier in the short term, but in the long run, the consequences are always far worse. Whether it’s lying to a partner, a friend, or yourself, deception destroys relationships. It’s always better to be honest, no matter how difficult the truth may be.

On April Fools’ Day, it’s all in good fun. But when it comes to your relationships, don’t make lying a joke. Be truthful, be kind, and be trustworthy. After all, honesty is the best policy—every day of the year.