What Lying Does to Us
- Yvonne B
- Feb 9
- 6 min read
A lie doesn’t just trouble the soul; it touches our health.
In 2 Kings 5, we read the detailed account of how Naaman was healed of leprosy by obeying the command of the prophet Elisha and dipping seven times in the Jordan River. He was not only cleansed of his disease, but he also turned from his false gods to worship the one true God. Out of gratitude, Naaman wanted to give Elisha many gifts, but Elisha refused them.
However, Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, heard the generous offer. After Naaman had left, Gehazi ran after his caravan and told a lie…
And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi.
Forgetting that Elisha was a man of God, Gehazi took the items, hid them in the house, and then returned to attend to Elisha. When Elisha asked where he had been, Gehazi told another lie, saying he had not gone anywhere. But Elisha revealed that he knew exactly where Gehazi had gone and what he had done. Because of his actions, Elisha declared that Naaman’s leprosy would cling to him.
Lying is never good for our health.
I Lied
How many of us have told a lie? Don’t read ahead just yet—pause and think about it. What have you lied about? I’ll wait. 😊 But seriously, can you remember the last time you weren’t truthful? I can, and I wasn’t proud of it.
Ladies, this is exactly why we need a Savior—to rescue us from our sins. Amen and amen.
Recently, I picked up a book again called 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegue, because I’ve realized there are still areas where I need better control over my tongue. On day one, she talks about three types of lies we often fall into: outright deception, half-truths (like, “I’m on your street” when you’re not!), and exaggeration.
Ladies, I don’t know about you, but I’ve fallen into all three of those categories this year—and it’s only February. Whew.
As I was working through that first day, I also started looking into how lying can affect our health. I wanted to share what I found, in case anyone else is wrestling with this struggle too.
What Happens in the Body When We Lie
Stress response
When we lie, the body often reacts as if it is under threat. Stress hormones rise, heart rate can increase, and muscles tighten. We brace ourselves for the possibility of being exposed.
Anxiety
We must manage the story, remember details, and stay alert. That pressure can create restlessness and worry.
Mental fatigue
Deception takes work. The brain gets tired from juggling information.
Sleep disruption
Guilt and fear have a way of showing up at bedtime.
Physical tension
Headaches, tight shoulders, jaw clenching, or stomach issues frequently accompany stress.
Long-term wear and tear
Repeated activation of the stress response can influence immunity, digestion, and heart health.
Our bodies were not designed to carry deception.
What Researchers Have Discovered
Science supports what many of us already feel.
1) Physiological stress
Research shows dishonesty is associated with measurable stress reactions in the body — including changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and stress-related systems. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X15001980
Blog summary: Even small lies may activate the body’s stress response.
2) Greater mental effort
Truth-Default Theory explains that honesty is our normal communication setting. When we lie, the brain must work harder to build and maintain the falsehood. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth-default_theory
Blog summary: Keeping deception going requires more mental energy than telling the truth.
3) Emotional strain
Studies examining stress and dishonest behavior show links between pressure, anxiety, and the likelihood of deception. Stress and lying can reinforce each other.
Blog summary: Guilt, worry, and fear connected to lying contribute to emotional stress that affects the body.
4) Chronic stress & health
Long-term stress has been associated with sleep problems, digestive trouble, lowered immunity, and cardiovascular strain.
Blog summary: Stress that hangs around — whether from dishonesty or fear — can impact overall wellness.
The Good News: Freedom Is Possible
We are not stuck in these patterns. When we choose honesty, something amazing happens: the pressure eases. We stop rehearsing stories. We stop scanning for threats. The mind and body can rest.
Truth is lighter to carry.
Little by little, honest living can calm anxiety, strengthen relationships, and bring real peace.
Questions to Consider
1) When am I most tempted to exaggerate or bend the truth?
A. When I want to avoid consequences
B. When I want to look better in front of others
C. When I’m running late or unprepared
D. When telling the full truth feels uncomfortable
E. Other
2) What am I trying to protect in that moment?
A. My reputation
B. My time or convenience
C. Someone else’s feelings
D. My pride
E. Something else
3) How does my body feel after I’ve been dishonest? (Tell the truth and shame the devil.)
A. Relaxed — it doesn’t bother me
B. A little uneasy
C. Anxious or worried I’ll be found out.
D. Guilty or heavy inside
E. Physically tense (headache, tight chest, upset stomach)
4) What might change if I practiced courageous honesty?
A. I would feel more at peace.
B. My relationships might grow stronger.
C. I would worry less.
D.I would build trust with others
E. All of the above
Scoring & Reflection Guide
This is not about shame — it’s about noticing patterns so we can grow.
Look at your answers.
Mostly A’s. You may be minimizing the impact of dishonesty or have grown comfortable with certain habits. Ask God to help you become more sensitive to the effect your words have on your heart and body.
Mostly B’s or C’s. You recognize tension around truth. Fear of consequences, appearance, or conflict may be driving your choices. There is an opportunity here for courage and trust.
Mostly D’s or E’s. Your body and conscience are alerting you quickly after dishonesty. That awareness is a gift. You are in a strong position to make meaningful changes.
Personal Reflection
What answer surprised me the most?
Where do I see a repeated pattern?
What situation tends to trigger my dishonesty?
What would truth require from me in those moments?
Next-Step Action Plan
Change happens best in small, intentional steps.
Step 1: Notice
This week, pay attention to moments when you feel tempted to exaggerate, cover, or soften the truth.
Step 2: Pause
Before speaking, take a breath and ask: Is this true?
Step 3: Choose courage
If honesty feels scary, remember — temporary discomfort is lighter than ongoing anxiety.
Step 4: Repair quickly
If you slip, correct it as soon as possible. A fast confession builds huge trust.
Example: “I need to correct what I said earlier. That wasn’t completely true.”
Step 5: Invite help
Pray specifically for growth in this area. Real transformation is rarely willpower alone.
Encouragement
Progress, not perfection.
Every truthful moment is a victory for your heart, your relationships, and even your body.
What should you do next?
Take a moment to sit with your answers. Where is God nudging you toward honesty or growth? If something stood out, don’t brush it aside. Lean into it.
If you find yourself returning to the same sin of dishonesty — or wrestling with other patterns — I invite you to listen to my audio podcast on the spiritual disciplines of the Christian life, She Disciplines Herself. And don’t forget to pick up the podcast episode study guide for further application.
I would truly love to hear from you. It doesn’t have to be a long comment — a simple answer is enough. My dear sister in Christ, your words might be exactly what someone else needs for encouragement.
May your faith make you well. God bless,
Yvonne B.
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