Topical Encyclopedia Lying, as a deliberate act of deception, is consistently condemned throughout the Bible. It is considered a sin that not only disrupts human relationships but also separates individuals from God. The Bible presents lying as a characteristic of the unrighteous and a behavior that excludes one from the kingdom of heaven.Biblical Condemnation of Lying The Bible explicitly condemns lying in numerous passages. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This verse highlights God's disdain for falsehood and His pleasure in truthfulness. Lying is not merely a social faux pas but an affront to God's holy nature. Lying and the Nature of God God is described as a God of truth. In Numbers 23:19 , it is written, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind." This verse underscores the divine nature of truthfulness, contrasting it with human tendencies toward deceit. As followers of God, believers are called to emulate His truthfulness. Lying as a Characteristic of the Wicked The Bible often associates lying with wickedness and evil. In John 8:44 , Jesus speaks to the Pharisees, saying, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies." Here, lying is directly linked to the devil, emphasizing its nature as contrary to God's truth. Exclusion from Heaven The ultimate consequence of unrepentant lying is exclusion from heaven. Revelation 21:8 provides a sobering warning: "But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." This passage lists liars among those who will face eternal separation from God, illustrating the severity of this sin. Similarly, Revelation 22:15 states, "Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." This verse reinforces the idea that those who persist in lying and deceit will be excluded from the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem. Call to Repentance and Truthfulness While the Bible sternly warns against lying, it also offers hope through repentance and transformation. Ephesians 4:25 exhorts believers, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another." This call to truthfulness is part of the broader Christian ethic of living in a manner worthy of the calling received in Christ. In conclusion, lying is a sin that the Bible clearly states will exclude individuals from heaven if left unrepented. The call to truthfulness is not only a moral imperative but a reflection of the character of God, who is the ultimate standard of truth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Revelation 21:27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Torrey's Topical Textbook Revelation 22:15 Library Sin. In Scripture, the True God Opposed, Exclusively, to all the Gods ... Attributes of Love. None but Jesus --Second Part Typology Free Grace Acts x. 44, 46 He Then Clearly and Skilfully Criticises the Doctrine of the ... Texts Explained; Eighthly, John xvii. 3 and the Like. Our Lord's ... The Third Theological Oration. Resources What does the Bible say about a false witness? | GotQuestions.orgCan God lie? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about cheating in school? | GotQuestions.org Lying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Lying: A Characteristic of the Apostasy Lying: False Prophets Addicted To Lying: False Witnesses Addicted To Lying: Folly of Concealing Hatred By Lying: Leads to Love of Impure Conversation Lying: Often Accompanied by Gross Crimes Lying: Saints: Pray to be Preserved From Lying: Saints: Reject Those Who Practise Lying: Saints: Respect not Those Who Practise Lying: The Devil Excites Men To Lying: The Devil, the Father of Lying: The Evil of Rulers Hearkening To Lying: The Wicked: Addicted To, from Their Infancy Lying: The Wicked: Bring Forth Lying: The Wicked: Give Heed To Lying: The Wicked: Prepare Their Tongues For Lying: They Who are Guilty of, Shall be Cast Into Hell Lying: Vanity of Getting Riches By Related Terms |
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