Lies, Lies Everywhere

     My four year old has decided she is allergic ... to truth.  No kidding, she lies about the most mundane things, and the big things, too.  She also has a stubborn streak, and refuses to tell the truth even once she's caught in the lie.  Ok, so I had run the bath water, filled the tub with bubbles and toys, and instructed them not to lay down this time because we weren't washing hair that night.  I left the door cracked open and went into the next room while they played.  This is the conversation I hear after about 10 minutes :
T : Lay down like this!
S : Mama said not to.
T : Do it this way.
At this point, I sneak over and look into the room to find that they are both laying down in the water with wet hair.  I made my presence known, and I say to T, "Why did you tell your sister to lay in the water?"
T:  I didn't.
Me : Yes, you did. I heard you.
T : I didn't, Mama! I promise!
Me : T, that is not the truth. I know you told her to do it because I could hear you talking to her, and you said 'Lay down'.
T,now crying : Mamaaaaaaaaaaaaa, I didn't!

     Instantly, frustration and stress begin to take over.  Why in the world would she lie about it when she knows I heard her?  We repeat this scenario over and over on a daily basis; the only difference is the subject matter.

     I have prayed and sought God on this matter, because I am at my wit's end.  In myself, I have nothing left to deal with the lying, but I know that God has a solution.  Each child is different, so there is no pat answer on how to deal with the issue.  One thing I can say, though, is consistency matters.  The Bible says that God will give wisdom to anyone who lacks, and asks God to impart it.   That is a promise, conditional only on asking.  So, all we can do is ask God, and then trust that He is giving us answers, and act on them, consistently.  Only that will bring about the change that we need, and want, to see in our kids.  Consistent, loving discipline is the key.