Old Testament
Proverbs 12:19-22
19 Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21 No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who do the truth are his delight.
New Testament
John 8:31-32
31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.
32 You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Proverbs offers a simple contrast: truthful lips endure, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Lies are often loud at first. They travel quickly. They can feel clever. Yet they cannot build a home, because they do not belong to reality.
Jesus speaks about truth not as an idea but as a way of life: if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples; then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Freedom, in Scripture, is not the liberty to say anything we like. It is release from the bondage of deception and fear.
Misinformation is rarely just “bad data”. It is often a spiritual temptation: to prefer what flatters our anger, to share what punishes our enemies, to repeat what makes us feel important. The remedy is not only better habits, though we need them. The remedy is a deeper discipleship: abiding, listening, letting Christ re-train what we find plausible and what we find pleasurable.
Lord Jesus, set us free. Make us lovers of truth and enemies of manipulation. Teach us to be slow to speak, slow to share, and quick to repent. Let your word steady our minds and soften our hearts, so we do not pass on what harms.