What is taught about lying?
Introduction. Lying is all too common (Ps. 58: 3). Lying is usually defined as a falsehood that is designed to deceive. According to one study, 91 percent confess to regularly lying. This same study revealed that 45 percent see nothing wrong with lying. Lying started with the devil and often involves some truth (Gen. 3: 4, cp. 2: 17, 3: 3).
Lying is associated with all manner of sin. God has placed lying into the same circumstance as adultery, murder, sorcery, and idolatry (Jere. 23: 14, Rev. 21: 8). The Bible knows nothing of big and little or white lies. Those who set out to teach religious error are presented as liars (Jere. 14: 14).
The Bible contains examples of lying. Potiphar's wife lied regarding Joseph, Jacob's sons lied, Abram used deceit, and Rahab lied (Gen. 39: 14-18; 37: 31-36; 12: 10-13; Josh. 2: 4-6). There are always terrible consequences associated with lying. For instance, Joseph was cast into prison. In view of James 2: 25, some have tried to justify Rahab's lie. Hence, the doctrine of mental reservation and the expression mendacium officiosum (justified lie in course of duty). However, the Bible offers no justification for such lies.
God hates lying. The scriptures are plain in pronouncing God's hatred of lying (Prov. 6: 16-19, 12: 22). God's people are to remove themselves from circumstances of lying (Ps. 119: 163, 29, 120: 2, Prov. 30: 8, Eph. 4: 25). The rare word "abomination" is applied to lying (Prov. 12: 22).
Conclusion. It should be of great comfort that God's truths contain no lie (1 John 2: 21). People mainly lie out of fear and the desire for acceptance, we are told. These matters should not be predominant in the Christian (cp. John 12: 42, 43). The fate of the liar is ultimate spiritual destruction and everlasting punishment in hell (Prov. 19: 5, 9, Rev. 21: 27, 22: 15, 21: 8).
Lying is associated with all manner of sin. God has placed lying into the same circumstance as adultery, murder, sorcery, and idolatry (Jere. 23: 14, Rev. 21: 8). The Bible knows nothing of big and little or white lies. Those who set out to teach religious error are presented as liars (Jere. 14: 14).
The Bible contains examples of lying. Potiphar's wife lied regarding Joseph, Jacob's sons lied, Abram used deceit, and Rahab lied (Gen. 39: 14-18; 37: 31-36; 12: 10-13; Josh. 2: 4-6). There are always terrible consequences associated with lying. For instance, Joseph was cast into prison. In view of James 2: 25, some have tried to justify Rahab's lie. Hence, the doctrine of mental reservation and the expression mendacium officiosum (justified lie in course of duty). However, the Bible offers no justification for such lies.
God hates lying. The scriptures are plain in pronouncing God's hatred of lying (Prov. 6: 16-19, 12: 22). God's people are to remove themselves from circumstances of lying (Ps. 119: 163, 29, 120: 2, Prov. 30: 8, Eph. 4: 25). The rare word "abomination" is applied to lying (Prov. 12: 22).
Conclusion. It should be of great comfort that God's truths contain no lie (1 John 2: 21). People mainly lie out of fear and the desire for acceptance, we are told. These matters should not be predominant in the Christian (cp. John 12: 42, 43). The fate of the liar is ultimate spiritual destruction and everlasting punishment in hell (Prov. 19: 5, 9, Rev. 21: 27, 22: 15, 21: 8).