Hey!, Wanna See Some Sin? "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet and show my people their transgressions and . . . their sins." Isa. 58:1.
22. Lies
22. 16a. Does God lie?
Does the Bible show lying to be acceptable?Contents:
Page 1
Paradise Lost
God is aware of the extent of lying in the world.
God condemns lying.
God condemns deceit, deception and falsehood.
God condemns social lying (flattery) and "little white lies".
God condemns "lying just for the fun of it."
God condemns religious liars.
False Prophets and Lying Prophets.
The Bible on Self-Deception.
How do most people feel about lying?
What does God expect us to do about lying?
The Bible Defines Lying.
A lie in any language.
The punishment for lying.Page 2
Examples of lies and the results.
The Causes of lying.
The Results of lying.
The arguments from atheists.
A valid objection by atheists.
The Bible on Truth
How to stop lying.
Conclusions
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Page 1
Paradise Lost
Our ultimate grandparents, Grandpa Adam and Grandma Eve didn't live in a high-rise apartment, or a decaying suburb, or in an old house down on the farm, at least not at first. They lived in a climate-controlled environment so perfect that clothing and shelter were unnecessary. Food was abundant. There were no thorns, and no heavy labor required to maintain the "garden paradise". Wild animals were not a problem nor a danger and the weather was always perfect. Their duties included "dressing and keeping" the garden, or what we would consider hobby gardening (Gen.2). (Contrast with modern farming and ranching in Gen. 3:17-19).
God's plan was that they have children and that by "dressing and keeping" it, this garden paradise would be extended over the whole earth (Gen. 1:27-30). Access to eternal life was also easily available (Gen. 2:9, 3:22).So why did they get evicted, and exiled into the physical world as we know it? The simple explanation is that there was one fruit tree which was off limits to them but they ate the fruit anyway. They sinned by disobedience to the only commandment they had been given, "do not eat of that one tree".
What does this have to do with lying? Everything, once we get past the overly simple children's version of two people, a snake, and an "apple", and past the opinion of some "religionists" that the account is only metaphorical storybook fiction (a narrative lie) invented by God or Moses to teach ethical behavior (an opinion which serves atheism more than Christianity).
Adam and Eve were perfectly comfortable, in perfect health, had beautiful surroundings, abundant food, companionship with each other, a close relationship with God, a rewarding and enjoyable job, and the promise of children and grandchildren. Beyond all this, they had access to eternal life. Notice that there was no commandment telling them to "not eat of the tree of life" (Gen. 2:9). On the contrary, they were told that "of every tree of the garden, you may freely eat [except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil]" (Gen. 2:16-17, 3:22).
Everything about their lives in chapters 1 and 2 is positive, or "very good", as God describes it (Gen. 1:31). This includes the fact that they were both naked and not ashamed, a point emphasized at the critical place in the story where everything suddenly goes from "very good" to "very bad" (Gen.2:25). Why was being naked included in the "very good"? Because that's how God created them and allowed them to live in their married privacy with no neighbors and no children present. Being naked was not a problem, because they had no knowledge of evil. Since they knew only "good" they did not yet know that it could be a second choice.
Notice that nakedness, when combined with shame, is symbolic of sin and guilt (Lam. 1:8; Na. 3:1-5).
So we have a story of everything being very good, then a pivotal statement that they were naked and not ashamed, and then the devil enters the scene with an ominous description. "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. . . ." (Gen. 3:1).
The word subtle comes to us through Old English sotel, subtil, and through Old French sutil, subtil, from the Latin, subtilis with the roots sub, under, and tela, for textela, a web. The modern English meaning is "sly in design; artful; cunning; cunningly devised; ingenious; thin or tenuous in substance; difficult to understand." The association with lying is seen in the root meanings, under and web and is illustrated in the secular proverb, "O what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."
In describing the serpent, subtle was translated from the Heb. "aruwm (6175), cunning (usually in a bad sense), also translated as crafty".So the beginning of the history of mankind pivots on an encounter with a being whose greatest characteristic is subtly, or slyness, cunning, and being difficult to understand.
In the conversation with Eve, Satan told at least six half-truths/half-lies which are explained in the section below, "Examples of lies and the results: Lying by telling a "half-truth":".
But how did the serpent's lies cause Eve to sin? Satan didn't force her to sin. He didn't threaten or scare her into sinning. In her excuse to God, she said that the serpent "beguiled" her. The word is translated from Heb. "nasha (5377), to lead astray, i.e. (mentally) delude, greatly or utterly deceive". Her defense was that the serpent was responsible for her sin, or literally, "The devil made me do it.". In the next two verses, God pronounces a curse on the serpent for his part in the matter.
In verse 16, he also places a "curse" on the woman that would "greatly multiply" her "conception" or fertility and her "sorrow", or pain, in giving birth. Most people consider fertility a blessing but without birth control or sexual abstinence, a woman could have consecutive pregnancies from age 12 through 50 for a total of 90 or more children. Prior to the Flood of Noah, people lived hundreds of years and could have had even more pregnancies. For a woman to be pregnant most or all of her adult life would not be a blessing. And repeated pregnancies would probably shorten her life span. As for the second part of the punishment, severe labor pains are definitely a curse.Since punishment is only given for sin, what was her sin? If someone else deceives us, is that our sin? Obviously not, since the serpent was punished for his deception of Eve. Eve was punished only for her part in the deception.
How can we be responsible for our own deception?1. We are responsible when, given the choice of truth or a lie, we knowingly and willingly accept the lie.
" . . . they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, . . . Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, . . ." (Rom. 1:20-22, 25)."Take you heed every one of his neighbor, and trust you not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant [Heb., circumvent or restrain by tripping, i.e. use deception], and every neighbor will walk with slanders [Heb., a scandal-monger, gossiper]. And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves [work hard] to commit iniquity." (Jer. 9:4-5).
There is always a choice between truth and a lie, because for every human belief, fact, bit of information, opinion or whatever, there is always an opposing one.
The only correct choice: "I have chosen the way of truth: your judgments have I laid before me." (Psa. 119:30).
2. We are responsible for our own deception when we choose to believe that the knowledge we already have is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Christ said, " . . . I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me." (Jn. 14:6). Some religious groups and individuals claim to already have the "whole truth". [But for any human or group to make this claim, there are some built-in fallacies which are explained in the article Does Anyone Have the "Whole Truth"?.]
Choosing to believe that we have nothing more to learn, or that our present understanding is perfect, is a form of voluntary self-deception. It is expressed in 1 John, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.". "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him [Christ] a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:8, 10).
3. We are responsible for our own deception when we fail to make a concentrated effort by independent study and prayer to determine what is truth and what is a lie.
"But if from [your evil ways] you shall seek the Lord your God, you shall find him, if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deu. 4:29).
"Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation; on you do I wait all the day." (Psa. 25:4-5).
"Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth." (Psa. 119:142).
"You are near, O Lord; and all your commandments are truth. Concerning your testimonies, I have known of old that you have founded them for ever." (Psa. 119:151-152).
"[Listen] and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart unto my knowledge. . . . That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to you this day, even to you. . . . Have I not written to you excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make you know the certainty of the words of truth: that you might answer the words of truth to them that [inquire] of you?" (Pro. 22:17, 19-21).
"These [believers in Berea] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were [truth]. [or whether they were a lie.]" (Acts 17:11). The "scriptures" they searched were the books of the Old Testament. None of the New Testament books had been written yet as the apostles, in the book of Acts, quoted Christ directly, or quoted the Old Testament. If the Bereans had already obtained copies of the earliest gospels (Mat., Mk, and Luke), then the apostles would not have been telling them any thing new or any thing which they felt required confirmation from a previously accepted, authoritative document. The Bereans confirmed the gospel of Christ as repeated by the apostles, by comparing it to the Old Testament and found it to be a true gospel.
"Behold, you [God] desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part you shall make me to know wisdom." (Psa. 51:6).
"Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and truth: . . ." (Josh. 24:14).
"Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he has done for you." (1 Sam. 12:24).
Is Truth readily available and accessible?
"Wisdom cries without [outside]; she utters her voice in the streets: She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying, How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity: and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge: Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you," (Pro. 1:20-23).
The printed Bible is available everywhere, in every language. It's words are repeated, more or less accurately, by preachers on radio and television. It's available in many languages through the Internet.Is the correct Understanding of Truth available?
". . . I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you," (Pro. 1:23).
"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive because it sees him not, neither knows him; but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you." (Jn. 14:17).
"Howbeit when he; the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: . . ." (Jn. 16:13).
It is not human teachers that give us understanding of the spiritual truths of God. It is his Holy Spirit that gives us correct spiritual understanding. We may hear the words spoken by a human voice or written by human hands, but the correct understanding comes only through the Holy Spirit, otherwise everyone who hears or reads would understand everything the same way.
How we can participate in our own self-deception.
Some see the truth but accept a lie anyway. Eve had the truth directly from God, but by relying on human "wisdom" (human reasoning) (Gen. 3:6), she chose to believe someone else, someone with a half-true version that seemed more appealing. The serpent appealed to her vanity of self, causing her to believe that choosing to eat was a wiser choice than what God had instructed. He appealed to her lust by suggesting that the forbidden thing was something that would benefit her. He appealed to her vanity of human "wisdom" or logic by causing her to reason that if it was edible, then it was okay to eat it, regardless of God's commandment. He appealed to her fear, that something desirable was being withheld from her. He appealed to her greed for the same reason.
In short, he appealed to her human nature which is opposite that of God, "For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be." (Rom. 8:6-7). With some encouragement from the serpent, Eve made the choice to rely on the carnal, physical mind instead of the spiritual instruction she had received from God. The serpent led her into the deception, but she went willingly.
Adam wasn't deceived. He simply participated in the sin, because of peer pressure, saying, "she gave me and I did eat".Some refuse to consider that there is any truth beyond what they have already accepted. Others refuse to even look for truth, whether it is out of laziness, fear of social discomfort or rejection, or fear that they may have to change something in their lives. Some deceive themselves for all of these reasons.
Whatever the reason, there is no escaping the fact that our being deceived by others is impossible without our cooperation and is usually achieved by our voluntary participation in some manner.
"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Mat. 24:24).
"For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect." (Mk. 14:22).
Lying and Self-Deception
The example of Adam and Eve is about more than just disobedience. It is about lies and it is about our willingness to be deceived, our willingness to participate in our own deception.
The other articles in this series on lying show that while the world condemns lying, it also accepts lying. It approves lying. It sometimes even praises lying. To condemn it while also accepting and praising it is an exercise in hypocrisy. To claim lying is wrong but sometimes necessary is a form of self-deception. It is simply another lie that we choose to tell ourselves."I said in my haste, All men are liars." (Psa. 116:11).
". . . yes, let God be true, but every man a liar; . . ." (Rom. 3:4).
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, . . . and murderers, . . . and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Rev. 21:8).
All lies are based on fear, greed or hatred (see: "Why do we lie").
"I have not written unto you because you know not the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth." (1 John 2:21).
"He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." (Rev. 21:7).
"Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds [your former way of life]; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:" (Col. 3:9-10). [Be an imitator of Christ, who said, "I am the truth" (Jn. 14:6), a true "Christian", living a new way, in the image of our Creator, the "God of Truth" (Deu. 32:4).]
Paradise Lost. It's about lying. It's about half-truths. It's about self-deception. It's about choosing truth or choosing anything else, such as half-truths/half-lies, or "little white lies" (an oxymoron since white is the symbol of righteousness and lying is sin and symbolized by darkness).
Paradise Regained. It's about the truth. God is truth. God's word is truth. Truth leads to life. "I [Christ] am the way, the truth, and the life" (Jn. 14:6).
God is aware of the extent of lying in the world:
"Help, Lord; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbor; with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak." Psa. 12:1-2.
"Take you heed every one of his neighbor, and trust you not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders. And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity." Jer. 9:4-5.
"God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. . . . [the wicked] have conceived mischief and brought forth falsehood." Psa. 7:11-14.
"Hear the word of the Lord, . . . for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood touches blood. . . .
My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, . . . seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children." Hos. 4:1-6."None calls for justice, not any pleads for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies: they conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity." Isa. 59:4 KJV.
"Your lawsuits are based on lies; you spend you time plotting evil deeds and doing them." Isa. 59:4 NKJV.
God condemns lying:"Lie not to one another", Col. 3:9.
"What shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, . . . Do not bear false witness, . . ." Lk.18:18-20." . . . You shall not bear false witness, . . ." Rom. 12:9.
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." Ex. 20:16.
"You shall not raise a false report; put not your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness." Ex. 23:1.
"Keep yourself far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay (hurt, destroy) you not: for I will not justify the wicked." Ex. 23:7.
"If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; . . . If the witness be a false witness, and has testified falsely, . . . Then you shall do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother; so shall you put the evil away from among you." Deu. 19:16,18-19.
"Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way." Psa. 119:104.
"These six things does the Lord hate: yes, seven are an abomination unto him: . . . a lying tongue, . . . a heart that devises wicked imaginations, . . . a false witness that speaks lies . . ." Pro. 6:16-19.
" . . . deliver me . . . from the hands of strangers: whose mouth speaks vanity and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood." Psa. 144:7-8, 11.
"You shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. You shall not swear by my name falsely . . . You shall not defraud your neighbor, neither rob him: . . ." Lev. 19:11-13.
"A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall not escape." Pro. 19:5.
"He that hides hatred with lying lips, and he that utters a slander is a fool." Pro. 10:18.
"If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked." Pro. 29:12.
Soldiers, low-ranking politicians and bureaucrats use the excuse that "We were only following orders." Family members blame the head of the house. Employees must go along with company policy or be fired. People who support a lying President, Prime Minister, King, or ruler by any title, share in his guilt.
"Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Rom. 6:16.
"To say that we are surrounded by lies and liars, to admit that in fact we are liars ourselves, is not to say that lying is either inevitable or acceptable. The most common rationale for bad behavior is to say that everyone else is doing it. Particularly now that the President of the United States has been shown to be a person whose life is steeped in lies, it is a common argument. Recently in a United States District Court a nineteen-year-old perjured herself by telling a story that her boyfriend concocted in order to help him avoid a conviction for counterfeiting. When she admitted that she had lied, the defendant’s attorney maintained that the boyfriend’s encouragement to lie was no different from the President’s. "President Clinton just told a witness the same thing," he argues.
Last month, during the interview of a witness suspected of drug activity the question of immunity arose. "I want the same immunity that the president’s girlfriend got" before testifying, the witness demanded. His argument seems to be that, if he tells the truth now, any previous falsehoods should be forgiven.
As the counterfeiter’s sentencing began, he rose to make a statement. He explains his conduct and the lies he had told to further his criminal conduct: "I start out to do good. That’s not the way it turns out, but that’s my intent." As to the lies he has told, he says, "We all lie. It’s instinctive. It’s about self-preservation. Some lie for money or to avoid trouble. Some lie to hide adultery, so as not to be indicted or impeached – if that is not a clear cut example (of the truth of his argument), what is?""
"A Matter of Integrity"
http://www.wieuca.org/Sermons/1998/11/Sermon1101.htm
God condemns deceit, deception and falsehood:
"Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: . . ." Pro. 12:22.
"You shall destroy them that speak leasing (falsehood): the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man." Psa. 5:6.
"O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame? how long will you love vanity, and seek after leasing (falsehood)?" Psa. 4:2.
"For you are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with you. The foolish shall not stand in our sight: you hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy them that speak leasing (falsehood): The Lord will abhor (hate) the bloody and deceitful man." Psa. 5:4-6.
"The wicked . . . His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity." Psa. 10:4, 7.
"the wicked . . . the words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: . . ." Psa. 36:3.
"But unto the wicked God says . . . You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. . . . Now consider this, you that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, . . ." Psa. 50:16, 19, 22.
" . . . I have seen violence and strife in the city. . . . Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets." Psa. 55:9, 11.
"He that works deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that tells lies shall not tarry in my sight." Psa. 101:7.
"He that speaks truth shows forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit." Pro. 12:17.
"Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace is joy," Pro. 12:20.
". . . the folly of fools is deceit." Pro. 14:8.
"There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Pro. 14:12.
"A true witness delivers souls; but a deceitful witness speaks lies." Pro. 14:25."Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." Pro. 20:17.
"He that hates dissembleth with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself. When he speaks fair believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, . . .". Pro.26:24-26.
"Being filled with all unrighteousness, . . . deceit, . . .". Rom. 1:29.
"Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man." Psa. 43:1.
"Why [do you boast] in mischief, O mighty man [Doeg]? the goodness of God endures continually. Your tongue devises mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. . . . You love all devouring words, O you deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy you for ever, . . .". Psa. 52:5.
" . . .bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; . . ." Psa. 55:23.
"Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given unto you? or what shall be done unto you, you false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper." Psa.120:2-4.
"The wicked works a deceitful work: but to him that sows righteousness shall be a sure reward." Pro.11:18.
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Pro. 27:6
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can [understand] it?" Jer. 17:9.
"Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable? Shall I count them pure [who use] the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights? For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. Therefore also will I make you sick [by] smiting you, . . . making you desolate because of your sins." Micah 6:10-13.
"The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies: neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: . . . ". Zeph. 3:13.
"If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord, and lie unto his neighbor in [a matter concerning property or possessions borrowed, loaned, entrusted to, stolen, found or otherwise taken by deception] . . . in any of all these that a man does, sinning therein: Then it shall be, because he has sinned and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he [stole] or the thing which he has deceitfully gotten [or borrowed] or the lost thing which he found, Or all that about which he has sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it [belongs] . . .
[And he shall make a sacrifice to God of a ram without blemish]." Lev. 6:1-7.
In other words, anything gained by lying or deception in any way, was to be restored with an additional 20% of value added as a penalty. The offender was also required to sacrifice to God, an expensive animal as atonement. Today, our sacrifice is repentance, a "broken and contrite spirit" (Psa. 51:16-17)."Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause; and deceive not with your lips." Pro.24:28.
Jacob knew that deception was wrong and feared being cursed for it.
[Regarding his deception of Issac] " . . . and I shall seem to him a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing." Gen. 27:12.
Rachel knew that deception was wrong but was willing to take the curse upon herself if discovered.
"And his mother said unto him, Upon me be [the] curse, my son: only obey my voice, . . . " Gen. 27:13."But cursed be the deceiver, [who lies in making his sacrifice]" Mal. 1:14.
God condemns social lying (flattery) and "little white lies":
"For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. Destroy them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against you." Psa. 5:9-10.
"Help, Lord; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things:" Psa. 12:1-3.
Lying comes from hatred. "A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it: and a flattering mouth works ruin." Pro. 26:28 KJV
"Flattery is a form of hatred and wounds cruelly." Pro. 26:28 NKJV.
". . . they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. " Psa. 62:4.". . . no lie is of the truth." 1 Jn. 2:21.
God condemns "lying just for the fun of it."
"As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and says Am not I in sport?" Pro. 26:18-19.
Lies or deceptions that cause discomfort, fear, injury, loss, damage or death are equated with acts of insanity. The excuse that "it was just in fun" or "I was only kidding" are no more acceptable than actual insanity.
God condemns religious liars:
Whether they call themselves a prophet, priest, preacher, minister, bishop, cardinal, pope, rabbi, reverend, doctor, professor or merely "Christian", God condemns all religious teachers who lie, even if they claim "the work of God" as justification:
"Cursed be he that does the work of the Lord deceitfully (7423), . . ." Jer. 48:10.
["deceitfully, 7423: remiyah, remissness, treachery: deceit, false, guile."]"Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart." Jer. 14:14.
"I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart." Jer. 23:25-26.
"For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, says the Lord." Jer. 29:8-9.
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive:" Eph. 4:14.
"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not you therefore partakers with them." Eph. 5:6-7.
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: . . .
And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;" 2 Pet. 2:1-3, 13."Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." 1 Tim. 4:1-3.". . .Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! . . .
They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord says: and the Lord has not sent them: . . .
Have you not seen a vain vision, and have you not spoken a lying divination, whereas you say, The Lord says it; albeit I have not spoken?
Therefore thus says the Lord God; Because you have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, says the Lord God.
And my hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: . . ." Eze. 13:3-9."But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Rev 21:8.
False Prophets and Lying Prophets:
What is the difference? A false prophet is not a prophet at all. A lying prophet is a prophet that lies. Whether a person is a real prophet or not, he can still tell lies.
In both the Old and New Testaments, we see both false prophets and lying prophets.
[See also: Dead Prophets, False Prophets and Naked Prophets ]1. Why do prophets, preachers, priests and religious teachers lie?
They lie because some "Christians" want to be told lies.
"That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:" Isa. 30:10.
They lie for the money.
"For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." Tit. 1:9-10.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, [take note of] them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Rom.16:17-18.
2. Christ said there would be widespread religious deception within "Christianity":
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. . . .
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Mat. 24:4-5, 11."This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. . . .
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 1 Tim. 3:1, 13."For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. this is a deceiver and an antichrist." 2 Jn. 7.
What about true prophets that lied?
Micaiah and Ahab
Ahab was one of the most evil kings of Israel (1 Kings 16:33) and he had on staff, 400 false prophets (1 Kings 22:5-7). When Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, enlisted his aid in attacking Syria, he insisted on consulting a "true" prophet of God (1 K. 22:7) about the prospect of success. Ahab acknowledged that there was one available, but that he hated this prophet because he never had anything good to say about Ahab. The meeting as described is somewhat humorous. The 400 hired prophets all predicted success, with one performing a skit with props to illustrate. The messenger sent to fetch Micaiah advised him to agree with the 400. Micaiah responds that he will only say what God tells him to say.
When he arrives, he answers the king with, ""Go, and prosper: for the lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king." (v.15). Perhaps it was Micaiah's tone of voice, or his facial expression, but Ahab was not deceived. More likely, it was the fact that Ahab knew that his actions were never approved of by God.
Micaiah, already having seen a vision of the volunteer "lying spirit" who went to inspire the 400 false prophets, and having seen the battle end in disaster, knew from experience that Ahab really didn't care what God's will was in any matter. Micaiah had simply exercised the option of Pro. 26:5-6 which allows one to "answer a fool according to his folly". It does not say to lie or attempt to deceive, but simply answer a foolish question with a foolish answer. And Ahab was not deceived.
The Bible on Self-Deception:
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 Jn. 1:8.
"Take heed to yourselves, that you heart be not deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;" Deu. 11:16.
Self-deception can come from pride.
"The pride of your heart has deceived you . . ." Obad. 3."For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." Gal. 6:3.
"But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." Jas. 1:22.
"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain." Jas. 1:26.
How do most people feel about lying?
1. They love lying.
"Why boast yourself in mischief, . . .Your tongue devises mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully, You love evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness." Psa. 52:3.2. They delight in lying.
" . . . they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly." Psa. 62:4.3. They give heed to lying.
"A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue." Pro. 17:4.
In other words, "liars enjoy the company of other liars".4. They seek after lying.
"O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame: how long will you love vanity and seek after leasing (Heb. falsehood)." Psa. 4:2.
What does God expect us to do about lying?1. Hate it.
"A righteous man hates lying . . ." Pro. 13:5.2. Do not respect those who lie.
"Blessed is that man that makes the Lord his truth, and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." Psa. 40:4.3. Avoid the company of liars.
"He that works deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that tells lies shall not tarry in my sight." Psa. 101:7.4. Repent of lying. Never lie again.
"Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me your law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth: your judgments have I laid before before me. . . . I will run the way of your commandments, when you shall enlarge my heart." Psa. 119:29-32.5. Tell the truth, with love.
"Let not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them around your neck; write them upon your heart:" Pro. 3:3.
"A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness will utter lies." Pro. 14:5.6. Tell God the truth.
"Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goes not out of feigned lips." Psa. 17:1.
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap." Gal. 6:7.
The Bible Defines Lying:
A lie is an untruth. It is anything other than the truth.
1. It can be a deliberate lie, spoken with the intent to deceive:"And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity." Jer. 9:5.
2. A lie is any untruth or error, even if there is no intent to deceive:
". . . no lie is of the truth." 1 Jn. 2:21.
3. A life of false pretenses, a life of hypocrisy, or a false "Christianity" is a lie.
"Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly (Heb. silliness, i.e. something other than the truth) . . . ." Isa. 9:17.
"For the vile person will speak villainy, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fall." Isa. 32:6.
[For example, religious organizations that demand tithes and offerings that further impoverish their members physically, while starving them spiritually.]"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! . . . Even so you also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." Mat. 23:27-28.
". . . some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." 1 Tim. 4:1-3.
[For example, commanding the clergy and women to lifelong vows of chastity, commanding vegetarianism, "meatless Friday", etc.]"So they come as though they are sincere and sit before you [in the congregation] listening. But they have no intention of doing what I tell them to; they talk very sweetly about loving the Lord, but with their hearts they are loving their money." Eze. 33:31 NKJV.
"For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery." Job 15:34.
"Woe to you experts in religion! For you hide the truth from the people. You won't accept it for yourselves, and you prevent others from having a chance to believe it." Lk. 11:52 NKJV.
"Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much." Jas. 1:26 NKJV.
"Are there still some among you who hold that "only believing" is enough? Believing in one God? Well, remember that the demons believe this too--so strongly that they tremble in terror! Fool! When will you ever learn that "believing" is useless without doing what God wants you to? Faith that does not result in good deeds is not real faith." Jas. 2:19-20 NKJV.
"If anyone says "I love God," but keeps on hating his brother, he is a liar; . . ." 1 Jn. 4:20 NKJV.
4. An idol is a lie.
". . . we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one." 1 Cor.8:4.
5. A false religious system is a lie.
"Behold I will make them of the synagogue of Satan [false churches], which say they are [spiritual] Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you." Rev. 3:9.6. Denying that Jesus is the Christ (the anointed, the Messiah, our Intercessor {Heb. 7}) is a lie.
"Who is a liar that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is the antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son." 1 Jn. 2:22.
For a man to claim to be Christ, or to claim to stand in the place of Christ as a substitute, would also be a lie. For example, "Vicar of Christ", a title of the Roman Pope. "vicar, n., FR. vicaire, from Latin, vicarius, forming a substitute, from vicis, change."
A lie is still a lie, in any language.
Sometimes the meanings of words change. Sometimes the usage varies from one language to another. Below are listed the Hebrew and Greek translations and meanings of the word "lie" and related words used in the scriptures given above. In Hebrew, Greek or English, a "lie" is still the opposite of the truth.
"Lie (5574) not to one another", Col. 3:9.
lie, 5574: Gk., pseudomai, to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood; falsely, lie."What shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, . . . Do not bear false (5576) witness, . . ." Lk.18:18-20.
" . . . You shall not bear false (5576) witness, . . ." Rom. 12:9.
false, 5576: Gk., pseudomartureo, to be an untrue testifier, i.e. offer falsehood in evidence.
"You shall not bear false (8267) witness against your neighbor." Ex. 20:16.
false, 8267: Heb., sheqer, an untruth; by impl. a sham, deceit, false, feignedly, liar, wrongfully.
"You shall not raise a false (7723) report; put not your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness." Ex. 23:1.
false, 7723: shav, evil (as destructive), lit. (ruin) or mor. (espec. guile); uselessness (as deceptive); lie, lying.
"Keep yourself far from a false (8267) matter; and the innocent and righteous slay (hurt, destroy) you not: for I will not justify the wicked." Ex. 23:7.
"If a false (2555) witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong (5627); . . . If the witness be a false (8267) witness, and has testified falsely (8267), . . . Then you shall do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother; so shall you put the evil away from among you." Deu. 19:16,18-19.
false, 2555: chamac, violence; by impl. wrong; (unjust) gain;
wrong, 5627: carah, crime.
"Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false (7423) way." Psa. 119:104.
false, 7423: remiyah, remissness, treachery: deceit, false, guile.
"These six things does the Lord hate: yes, seven are an abomination unto him: . . . a lying (8267) tongue, . . . a heart that devises wicked (205) imaginations (4284), . . . a false (8267) witness that speaks lies (3576) . . ." Pro. 6:16-19.
wicked, 205: aven, to come to nothing
imaginations, 4284: machashabah, a contrivance, (abstr.) intention, plan, plot.
lies, 3576: kazab, to lie, i.e. deceive.
"God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. . . . [the wicked] have conceived mischief and brought forth falsehood (8267)." Psa. 7:11-14.
" . . . deliver me . . . from the hands of strangers: whose mouth speaks vanity (7723) and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood (8267)." Psa. 144:7-8, 11.
vanity, 7723: shav, evil (as destructive), lit. (ruin) or mor. (espec. guile); uselessness (as deceptive); lie, lying.
"You shall not steal, neither deal falsely (3584), neither lie one to another. You shall not swear by my name falsely (8267) . . . You shall not defraud (6231) your neighbor, neither rob him: . . ." Lev. 19:11-13.
falsely, 3584: kachash, to be untrue, to lie, feign: deceive, deal falsely, lie, lying.
defraud, 6231: ashaq, to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate: get deceitfully, deceive, oppress, do violence.
"The wicked . . . His mouth is full of cursing and deceit (4820) and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity." Psa. 10:4, 7.
"the wicked . . . the words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit (4820): . . ." Psa. 36:3.
"But unto the wicked God says . . . You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit (4820). . . . Now consider this, you that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, . . ." Psa. 50:16, 19, 22.
deceit, 4820: mirmah, fraud: deceit, false, feigned, guile, subtilty, treachery.
" . . . I have seen violence and strife in the city. . . . Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit (8496) and guile depart not from her streets." Psa. 55:9, 11.
deceit, 8496: towk, oppression: deceit, fraud.
"He that works deceit (7423) shall not dwell within my house: he that tells lies shall not tarry in my sight." Psa. 101:7.
deceit, 7423: remiyah, remissness, treachery: deceit, false, guile.
"He that speaks truth shows forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit (4820)." Pro. 12:17.
"Deceit (4820) is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace is joy,". Pro. 12:20.
". . . the folly of fools is deceit (4820)." Pro. 14:8.
"There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.". Pro. 14:12.
"A true witness delivers souls; but a deceitful (4820) witness speaks lies." Pro. 14:25."Bread of deceit (8267) is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." Pro. 20:17.
[An ancient Chinese test of truth involved dry rice. A "test" question would be asked. The suspect would place a specific number of grains in his mouth and then attempt to spit them out. The grains would be recounted. A question concerning the suspected crime would be asked and the rice test repeated. If the number of returned grains increased (due to dry mouth), the suspect was presumed to be lying.]
deceit, 8267: Heb., sheqer, an untruth; by impl. a sham, deceit, false, feignedly, liar, wrongfully.
"He that hates dissembles (5234) with his lips, and lays up deceit (4820) within himself. When he speaks fair believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit (4860), . . ." Pro. 26:24-26.
dissembles, 5234: nakar, to dissemble (as if ignorant or disowning). Dict. -- To hide under an assumed manner; to conceal or disguise by a false outward show; to feign; to conceal real facts, motives, intentions, or sentiments under some pretense. One who conceals his real thoughts or feelings.
deceit, 4860: mashshaown, dissimulation: deceit.
"Being filled with all unrighteousness, . . . deceit (1388), . . ." Rom. 1:29.
deceit, 1388: Gk., dolos, a trick (bait), i.e. (fig.) wile: craft, deceit, guile, subtilty.
The Punishment for Lying:
Lying can be forgiven (Lev. 6:1-7) if one repents (See Psa. 51:1-19) and offers an acceptable, spiritual sacrifice (Psa. 51:16-17).
Lying is a sin (Lev. 6:2; Ex. 20:16; Lk. 18:18-20; Rom. 12:9).
1. The penalty for sin is death (Pro. 19:9;Eze. 18:4, 20; Lk. 18:18-20).
2. Liars will not inherit eternal life nor be in the Kingdom of God ("heaven") (Lk. 18:18-20, Rev. 21:8, 27; Psa. 15:1-2).
3. The unrepentant liar cannot worship God in truth. His attempts to worship are unacceptable to God.
"Who shall ascend into the hill [symbolic--place of worship] of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place [be accepted before his throne] ? He that has clean hands, and a pure heart: who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation." Psa. 24:3-5.
4. Unrepentant liars shall not escape punishment.
"A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall not escape."
"A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall perish." Pro. 19:5, 9.
"A false witness shall perish: . . ." Pro. 21:28.Continued on Page 2