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THE COST IS DELAYED—NOT REMOVED “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.” — Proverbs 19:5 A lie often brings immediate relief. It may hide wrongdoing, avoid embarrassment, escape responsibility, or protect a reputation—for the moment.But relief is not freedom. The lie creates a debt that must eventually be paid through fear, guilt, broken trust, exposure, more lies, or God’s judgment. The consequences may be delayed, but delay is not cancellation. A lie never removes the cost. It only moves the cost into the future—and usually increases it. Confession may be painful today, but continued deception will be far more painful tomorrow. Tell the truth, accept responsibility, and seek God’s mercy.Even when God forgives, sin was not free. Jesus Christ bore its terrible price upon the cross. The lie may postpone the payment, but it can never make the debt disappear.