LYING


The definition of lying is deceitful, dishonest, false, fibbing, fraudulent. These also define the word lying: misleading, treacherous, untruthful.

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight. Proverbs 12:22

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. Proverbs 25:18

Many times, people will expand on their resumes, saying they have done things they have not. When this is checked out and found they actually have not accomplished all they have led others to believe, they do not get the position they had tried for. They have been caught in a lie.

You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Exodus 23:1

A Biblical example of lying is that of Joseph and his brothers. Their father Jacob made Joseph a coat which caused his brothers to be envious of him. They hated him so much they sold him to some Ishmaelites going to Egypt. Then they lied to their father by letting him believe Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. You can read the story in Genesis 37:1-35 .

So they took Joseph's tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, "We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son's tunic or not?" Genesis 37:31-32

Another Biblical example of a silent lie is that of Ananias and Sapphira found in Acts 5:1-6. They had sold some land and told Peter they were giving all the money to the church. They were actually keeping some of the money back .

But Peter said, " Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Acts 5:3-4

We will look at how lying is a form of self- deception. When we lie and think no one will find out, we are only deceiving ourselves. We don't think our lie will be detected.

People who are dishonest start to believe their lies, and then they have deceived themselves. Soon they begin to lose the capability to tell the difference between the truth and a lie. We see how their integrity is lost. Before long the liar's life is almost wrapped up in lies. Our lies will separate us from God, and think of the damage that will be done to all of our relationships. Honesty will win out in the long run.

A lie is anything that is said with an intent to deceive. Sometimes words will express a lie, but a hypocritical life is also a lie.

Can anyone hide himself in secret places, " So I shall not see him?" says the Lord; " Do I not fill heaven and earth? " says the Lord. Jeremiah 23:24

We see where pagan religion can be the result of a lie or an idol.

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:24-25

(See the full passage in Romans 1:18-32)

This idol in Biblical days referred to a golden image but nowadays it does not necessarily refer to a golden image. It can be anything or anyone who turns us away from serving God and/or denying Jesus as the Son of God. How careful we must be when we begin to believe others. We need to study the scriptures for ourselves.

I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 1 John 2:21-22

And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 2 Thessalonians 2:11

We might be ridiculed because we are striving hard to follow the commandments of our Lord. This ridicule can be an indication we are doing right in the sight of God. Sometimes a person wants to impress or please others. Sometimes people lie to themselves trying to make themselves look good to others. Many times people act in this way so they will avoid any ramifications. Obedience to God's will doesn't guard against consequences, it may trigger them. A pretentious life is doing an injustice to our Lord.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:16-17

We all have seen people who are in a hurry to drive the newest and most expensive cars, be at the best places and be with the right people and dress successfully. This is done in hopes of raising their social standing. We need to ask ourselves, "Who am I attempting to impress?" We need to be actively searching for a place where we can serve our Holy Lord instead of seeking prestige.

So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: " When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:7-11

Satan, the devil, is a liar and the father of lies.

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:44

We see how lying in business is not what God wants. Our business dealings should be uncorrupted and honorable.

You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume. You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin*: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Leviticus 19:35-36

People who are deceitful are unable to truly understand God. If they understood God, they would change their ways.

He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence Psalm 101:7

God warns us against lying. Not only are we not to lie to brethren, we are not to lie to anyone.

Therefore, putting away lying, " Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:25

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds Colossians 3:9

If we are lying, whether it is habitually lying or telling what many people call white lies ", we need to discontinue lying. Lies do NOT come in colors. A lie is a lie. You don't sugar-coat lies. Wrong is wrong and there are no two ways about it. We need to pray that we will stop the lying. Not only are we being deceptive, we are placing ourselves in spiritual jeopardy. We need to pray that we are released from this endangerment. This will also take strength and action on our part.

Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously Psalm 119:29

The penalty that is to be dealt out to liars by God is of the harshest kind. Liars are absolutely kept out from heaven. Those found guilty of this sin are separated from the face of God and cast into the lake of fire.

You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man Psalm 5:6

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Revelation 21:8

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord Hebrews 12:14

But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters,

 and whoever loves and practices a lie. Revelation 22:15

Discussion and study questions:
1. What harm does a lie do?
2. How does our blessed Lord feel about lying?
3. Why is it wrong to lie in business?
4. How does it affect our relationships?
5. What is the penalty our Lord has for liars?
6. What is the meaning of a "white lie"?
7. How can a person overcome the habit of lying?

* An ephah was a dry measure equivalent to 5-8 gallons or slightly more than half a bushel.
The word hin is a unit of liquid measure. It would have been approximately equivalent to a gallon.
(Definition from Holmons Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

Copyright 2008 Linda Lawrence