Lying is the act of intentionally making false statements with the intention of deceiving others. It involves speaking or presenting information that is known to be untrue, often with the goal of achieving a desired outcome or avoiding consequences. It also involves deliberately presenting false information to deceive or to mislead others. Bearing false witness against others which can harm them, their reputation or lead to unjust consequences. Using words or actions to deceive or manipulate others.
Lying is a sin and is an abomination unto God and it is detestable to him. Pro 12:22. Anyone lying is called a liar, and since satan is the “father of lies” such a person is under the influence of satan .Lying is not the nature or character of God because he does not lie.Titus1:2. Anything that contradicts the truth is a lie and knowing very well that Jesus is the truth, therefore lying is of the devil and anyone lying belongs to him and is under the influence of satan. Such a person belongs to his father, the devil , and will always want to carry out his father’s desires.Jn8:44. But one of the Ten Commandments says “ Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”Exo 20:16. That is , you should not lie against anybody. Any thing contrary to this is disobedience to God’s commandment.
What does the Bible say about lying? Let us consider some of the verses.
Lev19:11b- “Do not lie.”
Ps5:6-“You destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, LORD,detest.”
Prov6-“17&19”A lying tongue, a false witness who pours out lies are detestable to him.”
Prov12:19-“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”
Col3:9&10-“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”
Despite the fact that lying is detestable to God, an abomination and and a sin, people still lie. Even one of the commandments says we should lie not, and despite the spiritual consequences that all liars will be consigned to - the fiery lake of burning sulfur which is the second death, people still tell lies.
Let us dive into some of the common reasons why people indulge in lying.
Some of the reasons why people tell lies.-
A fundamental reason is that due to the natural nature of man, his Adamic nature or his unregenerate status,man is normally inclined to tell lies. It is to achieve any of the following.
-To avoid punishment,rejection, negative outcomes ,criticism and unpalatable consequences.
-To get favour in any form or in kind.
-To impress others.
-For personal gain.
-To gain advantage .
-To hide the truth.
-To conceal mistakes ,flaws and undesirable information.
-For self protection against harm, vulnerability or embarrassment.
Let us consider some characters in the Bible who lied.
Cain -Gen 4 :1-16.
Cain was the first born of Adam and Eve and his younger brother was Abel.
They both brought offering to the LORD, different items though..The LORD looked with favour on Abel and his offering but he did not on Cain and his offering. Cain was displeased with this situation and he envied his brother Abel for that. He said to his brother “Let’s go out to the field.” Innocently Abel followed and when they were in the field , Cain attacked Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain,”Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Gen4:9. Cain lied to God, perhaps he did not know the omniscient character of God, that he is all knowing and nothing can be hidden from him.
He thought he could cover up the murder committed and escape the consequences by lying. Then the LORD said,”What have you done?” Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.
Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crop for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”Gen 4:10-12.
Despite the fact that Cain lied to God by trying to hide his guilt and avoid consequences of the murder committed,he did not escape the punishment.
Brethren, note that when you are lying, the omniscient God is aware,so you can not hide from him and nothing can be hidden from him. “With God nothing can be put under the carpet.”
Lying seems to be a way out for some people, but little do they know it diminishes their integrity as well as sining against God.
Gehazi-2Kings5:19-27.
God used Elisha to heal Naaman of leprosy when he eventually obeyed Elisha’s instruction -“Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”To appreciate Elisha, Naaman went back to him with a gift but Elisha refused to accept it. Though Naaman urged him to accept the gift , he refused and said, “As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve,I will not accept a thing.” Gehazi , Elisha’s servant thought his master was too easy on Naaman by not accepting the gift, so he hurried after Naaman, caught up with him and lied to Naaman that his master Elisha sent him to collect some items to entertain two men from the hill of Ephraim who came visiting. Naaman tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with sets of clothing, and gave them to two of his servants ,and they carried them ahead of Gehazi. When they came to the hill, Gehazi collected the items, put them away in the house and sent the two men away. Gehazi went in and stood before his master, and Elisha asked him,”Where have you been, Gehazi ?” Gehazi answered “Your servant didn’t go anywhere.”.That was another lie. Elisha made him realise that his spirit was with him and that he knew all that transpired. Elisha cursed him with leprosy because he took gifts he rejected from Naaman and he went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous.
Despite knowing that Elisha, his master, was a prophet and a man of God, Gehazi went ahead to lie against him, coveting Naaman’s gifts. But he wasn’t covered up by his lies- the Holy Spirit exposed him.
Brethren, lying brings shame, disgrace ,and dishonour. It is better to stay clear of it.
Ananias and Sapphira.-Acts 5:1-11.
It was customary for believers of old to share their possessions among themselves.They were one in heart and mind and from time to time those who owned land or house sold them ,brought the money from the sales and put at the apostles’ feet and to be distributed to any one who had need.
Ananias together with his wife Sapphira , sold a piece of property, and with the full knowledge of his wife kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
The Holy Spirit revealed his action to Peter and Peter said,” Ananias , how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? “ You have not lied to human beings but to God .” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died and he was buried. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened to his husband, Peter asked her,”Tell me,is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes , she said, “that is the price.”And Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? At that moment she fell down at Peter’s feet and died. She was buried beside her husband. And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Brethren, what a great lesson to learn. Despite the fact that the property belonged to Ananias and Sappihira, and brought part of the money, they suffered for been deceptive and lying and died prematurely.
Brethren ,apart from what befell the examples given above ,lying also destroys relationships and reputation,it erodes trust and diminishes one’s integrity.
Lying enslaves individuals,robs people of freedom and makes them slaves to falsehood. It can lead to external damnation .Rev21:8b”And all liars- they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” May this not be our portion.
You are thereby admonished to avoid lying and study the word of God with understanding to know what the Bible says about lying.
Prayer.
Heavenly Father,I come before you,acknowledging the temptation to lie and the times I have given in to lying. If I have already fallen into the trap of lying, grant me the grace and the courage to confess,repent and turn away from it. I ask for your strength to overcome it .
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
