What Does the Bible Say About Lying?

In a world where deception seems increasingly normalized, many wonder what the Bible actually teaches about lying. This comprehensive examination explores the biblical perspective on honesty, deceit, and the call to truthfulness for followers of Christ. By understanding God’s heart for truth and the serious nature of dishonesty, believers can cultivate lives of integrity that honor the Lord and benefit others.

God’s Nature of Truth

At its core, the Bible’s teaching on lying stems from the very nature of God Himself. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes that God is truth and cannot lie:

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Numbers 23:19 (ESV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (ESV)

As beings created in God’s image, humans are called to reflect His truthful nature. Lying distorts this image and rebels against our created purpose.

See also: Bible Verses about God’s Character

The Sinfulness of Lying

Throughout Scripture, lying is consistently condemned as sinful and destructive:

1. Included in the Ten Commandments: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16)
2. Listed among things God hates: “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: … a lying tongue … a false witness who breathes out lies” (Proverbs 6:16-19)
3. Associated with Satan: “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)
4. Forbidden for believers: “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices” (Colossians 3:9)

See more: Bible Verses about Lying

Types of Lying Addressed

The Bible addresses various forms of dishonesty to emphasize that all deception, regardless of its form, is contrary to God’s nature of truth:

1. Perjury and false witness (Exodus 20:16, Proverbs 19:5): Explicitly forbidden in the Ten Commandments, highlighting the seriousness of lying in legal or formal contexts.
2. Deception and trickery (Genesis 27:35, Proverbs 26:24-26): Portrayed as damaging to relationships and trust, as seen in Jacob’s deception of Isaac.
3. Flattery and insincere speech (Psalm 12:2-3): Recognized as potentially harmful as outright lies.
4. Half-truths and misleading statements (Genesis 20:2, 12): Shown to lead to complications and potential harm, exemplified by Abraham’s deception about Sarah.
5. Hypocrisy and pretense (Matthew 23:27-28): Strongly condemned by Jesus, particularly in religious contexts.
6. Slander and gossip (Proverbs 10:18, Ephesians 4:31): Consistently portrayed as destructive to community and individual reputations.

Consequences of Lying

Scripture warns of serious consequences for those who practice dishonesty:

1. Broken relationships and loss of trust (Proverbs 25:18): Natural outcomes of lying, as illustrated in Proverbs.
2. A corrupted conscience (1 Timothy 4:2): Habitual lying can lead to a seared conscience, making it increasingly difficult to discern and follow the truth.
3. Judgment from God (Proverbs 19:5, Revelation 21:8): Demonstrates that dishonesty is not merely a social issue but a spiritual offense against God’s nature.
4. Ultimately, separation from God (Psalm 101:7): Those who practice deceit cannot dwell in God’s presence.

The Call to Truthfulness

In contrast to lying, the Bible consistently encourages truthfulness:

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Ephesians 4:25 (ESV)

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Proverbs 12:22 (ESV)

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)

See more: Bible Verses about Truthfulness

Difficult Cases and Apparent Exceptions

While the Bible consistently condemns lying, there are a few instances that seem to present ethical dilemmas regarding truthfulness:

1. The Hebrew Midwives (Exodus 1:15-21) When Pharaoh ordered the murder of Hebrew male infants, the midwives disobeyed and explained that Hebrew women gave birth before their arrival. God blessed them for fearing Him and preserving life (v.20-21). Importantly, their primary act of faith was refusing to commit murder, not their potentially misleading explanation. The text commends their fear of God rather than their deception.
2. Rahab Protecting the Spies (Joshua 2:1-7) Rahab hid the Israelite spies and misled authorities about their location. She is later commended for her faith (Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25). However, the praise focuses on her faith in God and protection of the spies, not her deception. The New Testament emphasizes her faith and hospitality, demonstrating trust in God’s power over Jericho, rather than her method of misdirection.
3. Samuel Anointing David (1 Samuel 16:1-5) God instructed Samuel to travel to Bethlehem ostensibly to offer a sacrifice, while his true purpose was to anoint David as king. This case is unique as God Himself provided the alternative explanation. Samuel didn’t technically lie but withheld the full truth. This suggests that in certain situations, especially when dealing with those who might misuse information, discretion and partial disclosure may be appropriate.

These passages don’t alter God’s unchanging character of truthfulness or the clear biblical commands against lying. While recording historical events, the Bible doesn’t always explicitly approve every action. These instances typically involve protecting innocent lives from unjust harm, potentially indicating a hierarchy of ethical principles in extreme situations.

Importantly, the individuals are commended for their faith and courage, not their deception. Even if God sovereignly used these situations, it doesn’t necessarily mean He approved of every aspect of the individual’s actions. These rare cases, if indeed exceptions, don’t negate the Bible’s overwhelming teaching on truthfulness. We should be cautious about deriving broad ethical principles from these descriptive passages.

Practical Application for Believers

Given the Bible’s clear stance on lying, how should Christians apply this teaching?

1. Cultivate a love for truth and hatred of falsehood (Zechariah 8:16-17): Align your heart attitude with God’s character.
2. Practice speaking truth in love, even when difficult (Ephesians 4:15): Balance honesty with kindness and consideration for others.
3. Guard against all forms of deception, including “white lies” and half-truths: Maintain integrity in all circumstances.
4. Confess and repent of dishonesty promptly (1 John 1:9): Crucial for maintaining a clear conscience before God and others.
5. Trust God’s sovereignty rather than trying to manipulate outcomes through deception: Demonstrate faith in His ability to work all things for good.
6. Seek wisdom in navigating complex ethical situations (James 1:5): Acknowledge that while the principle of truthfulness is clear, its application may require discernment and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

The Bible’s teaching on lying is unequivocal: God hates all forms of dishonesty and calls His people to reflect His truthful nature. While a few difficult cases exist, these do not negate the clear command for believers to put away falsehood and speak truth in love. By cultivating lives of integrity and truthfulness, Christians honor God, build trust with others, and contribute to a more just and honest society.