The Biblical View on Lying: A Call to Truthfulness
Lying is a topic that the Bible addresses extensively, urging believers to embrace honesty, integrity, and truth in their lives. Throughout Scripture, truth is held in high esteem, and lying is consistently portrayed as a sinful act that disrupts relationships with God, others, and even oneself. The Bible not only warns against bearing false witness but also presents truth as a fundamental characteristic of God’s nature, a virtue that believers are called to reflect. This article will explore the biblical perspective on lying, examining its consequences, biblical examples, and the call to live a life of truthfulness, with supporting scripture references.
The Biblical Foundation for Truthfulness
At the heart of the Bible’s view on lying is the fact that God Himself is the source of all truth. In the Old Testament, God is often described as truthful, faithful, and just. Numbers 23:19 declares:
God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent;Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19, NASB 1995)
This verse highlights that God is incapable of lying or deceiving; His words and promises are always true. The integrity of God’s character forms the basis for why lying is so grievous in His eyes. Since humanity is created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), humans are called to reflect God’s character, which includes truthfulness.
Jesus also embodies the truth of God. In John 14:6, Jesus Himself says:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6, NASB 1995)
Jesus’ declaration positions truth not just as a value but as a central aspect of His very identity. This means that to lie is not merely an act of dishonesty but a rejection of God’s nature and Christ’s example.
The Command Against Lying in Scripture
The Bible provides clear, direct commands against lying and falsehood. One of the most prominent is found in the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:16, the ninth commandment states:
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16, NASB 1995)
This commandment specifically addresses the act of bearing false witness in a legal or social context. False testimony can ruin reputations, destroy relationships, and even lead to unjust punishment, as seen in the trial of Jesus, where false witnesses were brought against Him (Matthew 26:59-61). Lying in any form, including slander and gossip, is forbidden because it undermines justice and fairness.
The book of Proverbs also provides numerous warnings against lying. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists lying among the seven things that are detestable to God:
There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19, NASB 1995)
A lying tongue is specifically mentioned, showing that dishonesty is not just an isolated offense but something that grieves God’s heart. It is an act that harms both the individual who lies and the community in which they live. God detests lying because it erodes trust, justice, and peace within relationships.
The New Testament continues this emphasis on truth-telling. Colossians 3:9-10 says:
Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— (Colossians 3:9-10, NASB 1995)
Here, Paul encourages believers to reject the sinful behaviors of their former selves, including lying, and to embrace the truthfulness that is part of their new identity in Christ. Lying is a practice of the “old self,” which is characterized by deceit and manipulation, while truth is a hallmark of the “new self,” which is being transformed into the likeness of God.
The Consequences of Lying
The Bible teaches that lying has serious consequences, both in this life and the next. First, lying destroys relationships. In the book of Psalms, David, in reflecting on the character of a righteous person, says:
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; (Psalm 15:2-3, NASB 1995)
Truth-telling is the foundation of trust and community. When lying becomes prevalent in a relationship or community, trust is broken, and reconciliation becomes difficult. The damage caused by lies often extends far beyond the immediate situation, affecting the credibility of the individual and the health of the community.
Second, lying is harmful to the one who lies. Proverbs 12:19 warns:
Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment. (Proverbs 12:19, NASB 1995)
Lies may provide short-term gains, but they ultimately lead to regret, guilt, and destruction. The temporary advantage gained through deceit is fleeting, while the consequences of dishonesty endure much longer. In the long run, those who lie find that their deceit leads to consequences such as the loss of reputation, personal guilt, and a hardened conscience.
Third, the Bible teaches that lying will be judged by God. Revelation 21:8 describes the fate of liars among other sinners:
But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8, NASB 1995)
Here, lying is grouped with other serious sins, and its consequence is eternal separation from God. While this verse refers to unrepentant sinners, it underscores the seriousness with which God views lying. For believers, this should serve as a strong reminder to avoid dishonesty and to live according to God’s truth.
Examples of Lying in the Bible
The Bible provides numerous examples of lying, both positive and negative, to illustrate the destructive power of deceit.
The Lie of Ananias and Sapphira: In Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira lie to the apostles and the Holy Spirit about the amount of money they received from the sale of land. They claimed to have donated the full amount, but in reality, they kept part of it for themselves. Their lie led to immediate judgment, and both were struck dead for their deceit. This story demonstrates that lying to God or pretending to be more righteous than one is can have severe consequences.
Abraham’s Deception: In Genesis 12:10-20 and Genesis 20:1-18, Abraham tells lies about his wife Sarah, claiming that she is his sister to protect himself from potential harm. While Abraham’s actions may have been motivated by fear, his lies caused trouble and dishonor. In both instances, God intervenes to protect Sarah and reveal the truth, showing that God’s protection is not dependent on human deceit.
The Truth of God’s Word: In contrast to these examples, there are also those in the Bible who uphold the truth, even at great personal cost. The prophet Daniel, for example, refuses to bow down to the king’s idol, speaking truthfully in his faithfulness to God, even when it leads to being thrown into the lion’s den (Daniel 6). Similarly, Jesus Himself, when confronted with false accusations, does not resort to lies but stands firm in the truth, even though it leads to His crucifixion (Matthew 27:11-14).
The Call to Truthfulness in the Life of the Believer
Ultimately, the Bible calls believers to embrace the truth in every area of life. Jesus commands His followers to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and to let their “yes” be yes, and their “no” be no (Matthew 5:37). As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His nature, which is truth itself. Therefore, our words and actions must align with God’s truth, and we must be committed to honesty in our relationships with others.
Living a life of truth involves more than just avoiding lies; it also means seeking to speak the truth with kindness, compassion, and humility. Ephesians 4:25 says:
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25, NASB 1995)
Truth-telling fosters unity within the body of Christ and promotes a culture of trust, respect, and love.
Conclusion
The Bible presents a clear and consistent message about lying: it is an offense to God and a sin that disrupts relationships, erodes trust, and damages the integrity of individuals and communities. Lying reflects the character of the enemy, Satan, who is described in John 8:44 as “the father of lies.” In contrast, God is the source of all truth, and He calls His people to live in accordance with His nature. As believers, we are urged to put away falsehood, embrace truth, and reflect God’s character in our speech and actions. By doing so, we honor God, promote peace, and build relationships grounded in trust and integrity.