From Abraham fibbing about Sarah being his sister (Genesis 12:11-13, 20:2) to Peter denying he knew Jesus (Luke 22:54-62), the Good Book isn’t shy about showing us the good, the bad, and the ugly side of its characters.
They show us that even the most faithful can slip up, but there’s always a chance for redemption. Like, Peter messed up big time, but he was still given the keys to the kingdom (Matthew 16:19), showing us that mistakes, even big ones, don’t define our final story.
They teach us that honesty is the best policy, not just because it’s a nice thing to do, but because lies can lead to a whole heap of trouble. Take Achan’s lie about taking some of the devoted things from Jericho (Joshua 7:1), which brought defeat and trouble to the Israelites.
Plus, these narratives highlight the importance of confession and making things right. David, after his major mess-up with Bathsheba and Uriah, penned Psalm 51, a masterpiece of remorse and a request for forgiveness.
Biblical Verses About Lying
1. Eve Gets Tricked and Makes a Big Mistake
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’… When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” – Genesis 3:1, 6
Eve and Adam, were chilling in the Garden of Eden, where everything was perfect. God was like, “Enjoy everything, but this one tree? Off-limits. Don’t eat its fruit.” Sounds straightforward, right?
Enter the serpent, the slick talker of the ancient world. He slides up to Eve and hits her with, “Did God really say you can’t eat from any tree?” Notice the twist? He’s planting seeds of doubt right there. Eve corrects him, but the serpent doesn’t back down. He’s like, “You won’t die! God knows you’ll become like Him, knowing good and evil.”
Eve looks at the fruit. It’s not just a snack; it’s a ticket to wisdom. Or so she thinks. She bites, and so does Adam. This isn’t just a story about a literal fruit; it’s about temptation, making choices, and the consequences that follow.
What’s wild is that this moment changes everything. They try to hide from God. Imagine playing the best hide-and-seek game, but with the creator of the universe. Spoiler: They don’t win.
God’s like, “What did you do?” And here’s where the blame game starts. Adam blames Eve, Eve blames the serpent, and the serpent… well, it doesn’t end well for him.
Neither Adam nor Eve explicitly tells a lie in the sense of making a knowingly false statement with the intent to deceive. However, their actions and responses to God after eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil involve evasion and shifting of blame, which can be interpreted as forms of deceit.
When God asks Adam if he ate from the tree that was commanded not to eat from, Adam responds by blaming Eve, saying, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it” (Genesis 3:12). Eve, in turn, blames the serpent for deceiving her into eating the fruit, saying, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3:13).
So, while they don’t lie in the straightforward sense of stating an untruth, they attempt to deflect responsibility for their actions.
2. Cain Hides His Crime
“Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)
Cain is the first kid ever born, which is already under a lot of pressure. He’s a farmer, and his brother Abel is a shepherd. They both bring offerings to God, but here’s the kicker: God is all about Abel’s offering but not so much into Cain’s. No real explanation given, which obviously rubs Cain the wrong way.
Feeling pretty bummed and jealous, Cain invites Abel out to the field. And not for a brotherly hangout, but to kill him. Yep, things escalated quickly. Afterward, when God asks Cain where Abel is, Cain pulls the first “Who, me?” in history, saying, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” Basically, he lies straight to God’s face, trying to cover up what he did.
This story isn’t just about the lie; it’s about jealousy, anger, and how things can spiral out of control when we let our darker emotions get the best of us. Plus, it introduces us to the idea that, yeah, we are our brother’s keeper, or at least we should be.
3. Abraham Pulls a “She’s My Sister” Move
“When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, ‘I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, “This is his wife.” Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.'” (Genesis 12:11-13)
“And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.” (Genesis 20:2)
Abraham found himself in a couple of tight spots not just once, but twice, and decided to tell people that his wife, Sarah, was actually his sister. You’re probably wondering, “Why would he do that?”
Well, Abraham was worried. He thought that because Sarah was so stunning, someone might kill him to take her if they knew she was his wife. So, he went with the “she’s my sister” strategy to save his own skin.
The first time this happened, they were headed into Egypt, and Abraham feared for his life because of Pharaoh. So, he asked Sarah to go along with his plan, and indeed, Pharaoh took Sarah into his palace, thinking she was just Abraham’s sister.
But don’t worry, God stepped in before anything bad happened and made sure Pharaoh knew the truth, so Sarah was returned to Abraham.
The second time was pretty much a rerun of the first scenario but with a different king named Abimelech. Just like before, Abraham said, “Yep, she’s my sister,” and Abimelech took Sarah.
And again, God intervened, came to Abimelech in a dream, and was like, “You’re in big trouble” but in a more divine warning kind of way. Abimelech, who hadn’t touched Sarah, was shocked and a bit upset, understandably.
He confronted Abraham, who explained his fears, and in the end, Abimelech also returned Sarah to Abraham, along with some gifts to make up for the misunderstanding.
In both cases, Abraham’s actions were driven by fear for his own safety, but they also showed a lack of faith in God’s protection. It’s a bit of a wild story that shows even the most faithful can have moments of doubt and make questionable decisions.
But, it also highlights God’s protective hand over His people, even when they mess up.
4. Sarah Gets Caught in a Giggle Fib
“Then Sarah denied it, saying, ‘I did not laugh,’ because she was afraid. But he said, ‘Yes, you did laugh.'” – Genesis 18:15 NIV
God tells Abraham that his wife Sarah is going to have a baby. Now, Sarah is eavesdropping on this conversation from the tent, and hearing this, she laughs to herself. Why? Well, she’s way past the age of having kids, and the idea seems ridiculous to her.
God catches on to this and asks Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Sarah, probably a bit freaked out and embarrassed, denies laughing and says, “I did not laugh.” But here’s the kicker: God calls her out, saying, “No, but you did laugh.”
What we’ve got here is a classic “caught in the act” moment. Sarah tries to play it cool, denying her laughter, but God knows what’s up. There’s nothing too big for God to handle, not even giving a child to a couple way past their prime.
5. “Isaac Plays the Sister Card”
“And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.” (Genesis 26:7)
Isaac, like his dad Abraham before him, found himself in a bit of a pickle. He and his wife Rebekah moved to a new place because there was a famine where they lived.
Now, Rebekah was quite the looker, and Isaac was pretty scared that the local guys might off him to get to his wife. What’s a guy to do? Apparently, pretend your wife is your sister.
Sounds like a solid plan, right? Not so much. It’s like history repeating itself because Abraham pulled the same stunt twice with Isaac’s mom, Sarah. It seems like Isaac didn’t come up with this strategy on the fly; maybe it was like a weird family tradition or something.
Anyway, Isaac’s little fib didn’t go unnoticed. Abimelech, the king of the place, eventually spotted Isaac being a bit too cozy with Rebekah for a supposed brother-sister duo.
The king called him out, and Isaac admitted the truth. Luckily for Isaac, Abimelech was pretty calm about the whole thing, more concerned about keeping things straight and avoiding trouble in his kingdom.
The moral of the story? Well, it seems like fear can make you do some pretty silly things, like lying about your marital status. And, maybe, just maybe, honesty might save you a whole lot of trouble down the line. Plus, it’s probably not a great idea to make a habit out of pretending your spouse is your sibling. Just saying.
6. Rebekah and Jacob Pull Off a Deceptive Costume Change
“And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:” – Genesis 27:15 (KJV)
Imagine wanting something so badly you’d dress up as your brother to get it. Sounds like something out of a sitcom, right? Well, Rebekah and Jacob did just that.
Isaac, their dad, was pretty old and couldn’t see well. He decided it was time to give Esau, his firstborn, a special blessing. This was a big deal, kind of like being handed the keys to the kingdom.
Rebekah, however, had other plans. She favored Jacob and wanted him to receive Isaac’s top blessing.
So, what did they do? Rebekah cooked Isaac’s favorite meal, the kind Esau would have made. Then, she dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes and covered his hands and neck with goatskin.
Why the goatskin? Because Esau was hairy, and they needed Isaac to believe Jacob was Esau by touch.
Jacob then went to Isaac, pretending to be Esau, and served him the meal. Isaac was suspicious at first—Jacob’s voice didn’t quite match Esau’s.
But the feel of the goatskin and the smell of Esau’s clothes convinced him. Fooled by the disguise, Isaac gave Jacob the blessing meant for Esau.
This move by Rebekah and Jacob wasn’t just a little white lie; it changed the course of their family’s history and had huge repercussions. Esau was understandably furious when he found out, and Jacob had to flee to avoid his brother’s wrath.
This story is a wild ride from start to finish, showing how ambition and favoritism can lead to some pretty extreme actions.
7. Laban Tricks Jacob
“Genesis 29:23-25” – But in the evening, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her. And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maid. So in the morning, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?”
Jacob worked for Laban for seven years to marry Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter, whom he loved. But on the wedding night, Laban pulled a fast one.
Instead of sending Rachel to marry Jacob, he sent Leah, his older daughter. Imagine Jacob’s surprise the next morning!
Laban’s excuse? It wasn’t customary to marry off the younger daughter before the older one. To marry Rachel, Jacob had to agree to work another seven years. Yep, fourteen years in total for the love of his life.
Laban’s deception not only caused family strife but also set the stage for future tensions among Jacob’s children. Honesty is the best policy, especially in family matters!
8. Jacob’s Sons Cook Up a Deceptive Tale
“Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. They took the ornamented robe back to their father and said, ‘We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.’” – Genesis 37:31-32
Imagine that you’re part of a big family, but there’s a lot of sibling rivalry going on. That’s exactly what was happening with Jacob’s sons. Joseph, one of Jacob’s sons, was clearly the favorite, and this didn’t sit well with his brothers.
So, what did they do? They decided to get rid of him. But instead of telling their dad, Jacob, the truth, they hatched a plan that could easily belong in a soap opera.
The brothers sold Joseph to some traders heading to Egypt, then took his special, colorful robe, dipped it in goat’s blood, and brought it back to their father.
They played the innocent card, saying, “Hey, look what we found. Does this look familiar?” It was a classic “let the evidence speak for itself” move, without outright saying, “Joseph is dead,” but heavily implying it.
Jacob, seeing the bloody robe, jumped to the conclusion that a wild animal must have killed Joseph. The brothers didn’t correct him. They let Jacob believe this heartbreaking lie, showing just how far they were willing to go because of jealousy and rivalry.
9. Potiphar’s Wife Cries Wolf
“She called her household servants. ‘Look,’ she said to them, ‘this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.'” – Genesis 39:14-17
Joseph, a good-looking young guy, ends up in Egypt and lands a job in Potiphar’s house. He’s killing it at work, and everything’s going great, until Potiphar’s wife takes a liking to him.
But Joseph, being the stand-up guy he is, doesn’t want anything to do with that kind of trouble. He’s trying to live right.
One day, when no one else is around, she makes her move, but Joseph ain’t having it. He literally runs out of there, leaving his cloak behind. Now, Potiphar’s wife, feeling rejected and probably a bit embarrassed, decides to flip the script.
She tells everyone that Joseph tried to force himself on her, using his cloak as “evidence” that he was there.
This story is like one of those dramatic moments in movies where you’re yelling at the screen because you know the truth, but there’s nothing you can do. Joseph ends up in prison because of her lie, even though he did nothing wrong. It’s a classic case of someone playing the victim when they’re actually the villain.
10. The Cupbearer Forgets Joseph
“But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.” (Genesis 40:14-15, NKJV)
Joseph ends up in an Egyptian prison. Not for something he did, but because he was falsely accused. While he’s there, he meets two of Pharaoh’s officials – the chief baker and the chief cupbearer – both thrown into prison for offending their boss.
Joseph, being a decent guy and having this special talent, interprets their dreams. Turns out, he predicts the cupbearer will get his job back, serving Pharaoh his drinks.
Joseph asks one thing from him, “Hey, when you’re back in the palace living the dream, maybe mention me to Pharaoh? I kinda don’t belong here.” The cupbearer is like, “Sure, man, you got it!”
Fast forward three days, and things go exactly as Joseph predicted. The cupbearer is restored to his position, but here’s the kicker – he completely forgets about Joseph.
Not a word to Pharaoh. Nada. Zilch. Joseph ends up stuck in prison for a couple more years because of this.
It’s not your typical lie, more like a ghosting on a royal level. Promises made and then poof, forgotten. It shows you how life can be unpredictable and why maybe we shouldn’t put all our hopes in human promises.
11. Delilah Tricks Samson
“So Delilah said to Samson, ‘Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.'” – Judges 16:6 (NIV)
This is one of the most dramatic stories of deception in the Bible, featuring Delilah and Samson. Samson was this incredibly strong guy, and his strength was a big deal because it was given to him by God.
But there was a catch – he couldn’t cut his hair, or he’d lose this strength. Enter Delilah. She was in collusion with the Philistines, who were trying to capture Samson.
The Philistines promised Delilah a hefty sum of silver if she could figure out the secret behind Samson’s strength. So, Delilah, being the smooth talker she was, started nagging Samson about where his strength came from.
Samson wasn’t falling for it at first and gave her a few false leads. But Delilah was persistent and kept on asking, making Samson feel guilty for not trusting her.
Finally, after a lot of pestering, Samson cracked. He told Delilah that his strength would leave him if his hair was cut. So, what did Delilah do? While Samson was sleeping, she called a guy to shave off his seven locks of hair.
And just like that, Samson’s strength was gone. The Philistines captured him, and it was all because he trusted Delilah with his secret, and she lied all the way.
12. Ananias and Sapphira Get Caught Holding Back
“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” – Acts 5:1-2
This is one of the most jaw-dropping stories about lying in the Bible, featuring Ananias and Sapphira. These two were a married couple in the early Christian community.
The gist is that they sold some property. Ananias and Sapphira decided they wanted in on this giving action—or at least, they wanted to look like they were all in. They sold their land but didn’t give all the money to the apostles.
They held back a part of it for themselves but tried to act as if they were donating the whole amount.
Peter, one of the apostles, called them out. He wasn’t just upset about the money; it was the lying that got to him. He asked Ananias why he lied not just to the people, but to God.
Spoiler alert: Ananias drops dead right there. Then, not knowing what happened to her husband, Sapphira shows up, sticks to the story, and bam—she also falls dead after Peter questions her.
This story hits hard with a lesson: honesty is crucial, especially in a community built on trust and sharing. Ananias and Sapphira’s tale isn’t just about the lie; it’s about pretending to be something you’re not and the consequences that come with it. It’s a pretty extreme example, but it drives home the importance of being genuine in your actions and words.
13. Rahab Hides the Spies
“But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, ‘Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.'” (Joshua 2:4-5)
So, here’s the story of Rahab. She’s living in Jericho. And these two Israelite spies come to her house because they’re scoping out the city before their big invasion.
When the king of Jericho gets wind that there are spies in town, he sends his guys over to Rahab’s place to check things out. But Rahab, she’s already hidden these spies up on her roof under stalks of flax.
When the king’s men knock on her door asking about the spies, Rahab doesn’t miss a beat. She’s like, “Oh, those guys? Yeah, they were here, but they took off just before the city gates were about to close. If you hurry, you might catch them!” But in reality, she’s got them safely tucked away on her roof.
What’s interesting here is that Rahab’s lie is seen in a positive light in the Bible. She’s not doing this for personal gain or to deceive for the sake of being deceitful.
She’s doing it because she believes in the God of Israel, and she wants to help His people. It’s a risky move, but it pays off for her and her family big time when Jericho’s walls come tumbling down later on. Rahab and her family are spared because of her act of faith mixed with a bit of espionage.
14. David Plays Pretend with Ahimelech
“David answered Ahimelech the priest, ‘The king has ordered me on some business and said to me, ‘No one is to know anything about the business on which I send you, or what I have ordered you to do.’ I have directed my men to meet me at a certain place.'” – 1 Samuel 21:2 (NIV)
Alright, so let’s now talk about this scenario where David, yes, the future king and the man who took down Goliath, finds himself in a bit of a pickle.
He’s on the run from King Saul, who’s basically out for his blood because of a classic case of royal jealousy. David needs help but doesn’t want to drag anyone into his royal drama.
So, he pops into Nob, where the priests hang out, and meets Ahimelech. Now, Ahimelech can probably sense something’s off because, come on, it’s not every day a warrior like David shows up alone, looking like he’s been through the wringer.
David, sensing the need to protect his mission and Ahimelech, spins a yarn. He tells the priest that he’s on a top-secret mission for King Saul and implies, “It’s hush-hush, so I can’t really say much, but yeah, I’m here on official king’s business.”
David’s fib gets him what he needs – provisions and the legendary sword of Goliath (talk about a keepsake). But here’s the kicker: this lie, though seemingly small and meant to protect, starts a chain reaction. It leads to some pretty tragic events for the priests of Nob down the line (spoiler: it doesn’t end well for them).
So, what’s the takeaway from David’s little improvisation? It’s a classic example of how even the best of us can bend the truth, especially when we’re under pressure or trying to protect others (or ourselves). But it also shows us that even small lies can have big, unintended consequences.
15. Gehazi’s Greedy Lie
“So Gehazi followed Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. ‘Is everything all right?’ he asked. ‘Everything is all right,’ Gehazi answered. ‘My master sent me to say, “Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.”‘ ‘By all means, take two talents,’ said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi. When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left. When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, ‘Where have you been, Gehazi?’ ‘Your servant didn’t go anywhere,’ Gehazi answered.” – 2 Kings 5:22-25
This is the story of Gehazi, who was Elisha’s servant. Gehazi decided to take matters into his own hands after Naaman, the Syrian commander, was healed of leprosy by Elisha. Elisha had refused any form of payment, but Gehazi saw an opportunity and thought, “Why not benefit from this situation?”
So, what did he do? He ran after Naaman and made up a story. He told Naaman that Elisha had sent him to ask for a talent of silver and two sets of clothing for some newly arrived guests.
Naaman, being generous, doubled the request without hesitation. Gehazi accepted the gifts and hid them away at home.
But here’s where it gets interesting: When Gehazi returned, Elisha questioned him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And Gehazi, with a straight face, said, “Your servant didn’t go anywhere.”
But Elisha, being a prophet, knew exactly what had happened and called Gehazi out on his deception. This story ends with Gehazi receiving Naaman’s leprosy as a consequence of his greed and dishonesty.
Well, Gehazi’s story is a example of how greed can lead to deceit, and how deceit can lead to unexpected and dire consequences. Stay honest, even when we think there might be an easy gain in bending the truth.
What does the Bible say about lying?
The Bible is pretty clear that lying isn’t cool. From the Ten Commandments straight down to the teachings of Jesus, it’s emphasized that truth-telling is the way to go.
Remember when God gave Moses the lowdown on Mount Sinai? One of the big ten was, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). This is God’s way of saying, “Hey, let’s keep it real and honest with each other.”
When we lie, we’re not just messing with human trust; we’re going against God’s design for how we should live together. It’s like putting a wrench in the works of what could be a smooth-running relationship machine.
Why do Bible characters who lied still get God’s blessings?
Here’s the thing about the Bible: it’s full of real stories about real people who mess up big time but still find their way back to God. Take King David, for example. He was a man after God’s own heart, but even he got caught in a web of lies and bad decisions (think Bathsheba and Uriah).
The key here is repentance. David owned up to his mistakes, faced the consequences, and asked God for forgiveness (Psalm 51 is his heartfelt apology letter). God’s not looking for perfect people; He’s looking for humble hearts that are willing to admit when they’ve messed up and are ready to do better.
It’s about learning from those mistakes and growing, showing us there’s hope for all of us, no matter how many times we’ve tripped up.
How can we avoid lying in our daily lives?
Avoiding lies in our daily grind starts with a commitment to live authentically and with integrity. It’s about making a conscious choice to be honest, even when it feels like the truth might not be in our best interest.
Think before you speak: “Is what I’m about to say true, helpful, and necessary?” Sometimes, we lie to avoid discomfort or conflict, but that’s like putting a band-aid on a broken leg. It doesn’t solve the problem; it just covers it up for a bit.
Praying for strength and guidance can help too. Ask God to help you stick to the truth, even when it’s hard. And remember, building a reputation of trustworthiness and honesty is like saving money; it takes time and discipline, but it’s worth every effort because it pays off with stronger, more genuine relationships.
What are practical steps to maintain honesty in tough situations?
Maintaining honesty when you’re backed into a corner isn’t easy, but the Bible offers practical wisdom that can help. Self-reflection is a good starting point.
Before you speak, consider the impact of your words: are they true, necessary, and kind? This reflection aligns with Ephesians 4:15, which encourages speaking the truth in love. It’s about finding a way to be honest that also considers the feelings and well-being of others.
Accountability is another biblical principle that can keep us on the straight and narrow. Surrounding ourselves with people who value honesty and will call us out when we’re tempted to stray can make all the difference. As Proverbs 27:17 puts it, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Finally, embracing vulnerability can be a game-changer. Being honest, especially about our faults and mistakes, requires bravery. James 5:16 encourages us to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that we may be healed.
This vulnerability not only fosters deeper connections with others but also strengthens our character, making honesty the default choice, even in tough situations.
How can we rebuild trust after being dishonest, according to the Bible?
Rebuilding trust after a breach of honesty is no small feat, but the Bible lays out a path for redemption and healing. Repentance is step one. This isn’t just about saying sorry; it’s about a genuine change of heart and turning away from deceitful behaviors.
Like Zacchaeus in Luke 19:8, who, after his encounter with Jesus, committed to making amends for his dishonesty, we’re called to take concrete steps to rectify our wrongs.
Making amends is another crucial step. If our lies have caused harm, doing what we can to repair that damage is essential. This might mean returning what was taken, compensating for losses, or simply going the extra mile to demonstrate our commitment to change.
Lastly, patience and consistency in our actions over time show others that our repentance is genuine. Trust is rebuilt in the small, everyday choices we make to be truthful and transparent.
As we walk this path, leaning on God’s grace and the support of our faith community can provide the strength we need to restore broken relationships and rebuild trust.
