Topical Bible: Lying: The Devil, the Father of

◄ Lying: The Devil, the Father of ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Lying, as a concept and practice, is profoundly condemned in the Bible, and its origins are directly attributed to the devil, who is described as the "father of lies." This characterization underscores the spiritual and moral gravity of deceit, positioning it as antithetical to the nature of God, who is the embodiment of truth.

Biblical Foundation

The association of the devil with lying is most explicitly stated in the Gospel of John. Jesus, in a confrontation with the Pharisees, declares: "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" (John 8:44). This passage not only identifies the devil as the originator of falsehood but also highlights his intrinsic opposition to truth.

The Nature of the Devil's Lies

The devil's lies are not merely false statements but are deeply rooted in his character and purpose. From the beginning, as seen in the account of the Fall in Genesis, the serpent (identified with the devil) deceives Eve by twisting God's words, leading to sin and separation from God (Genesis 3:1-5). This act of deception illustrates the devil's intent to undermine God's truth and lead humanity astray.

Lying in the Broader Biblical Context

Throughout Scripture, lying is consistently portrayed as a sin that separates individuals from God. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "a lying tongue" among the things the Lord detests. Similarly, Revelation 21:8 warns that "all liars" will have their part in the lake of fire, emphasizing the severe consequences of deceit.

The Bible also contrasts the devil's lies with God's truth. In Numbers 23:19, it is affirmed that "God is not a man, that He should lie," highlighting the divine nature of truthfulness. Jesus, who embodies truth, declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6), offering a stark contrast to the devil's deceit.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

For believers, the call to truthfulness is a reflection of their relationship with God. Ephesians 4:25 exhorts Christians to "put away falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor," aligning their conduct with the truth of the Gospel. The practice of truth is not merely ethical but is a testament to one's identity in Christ, who is the truth.

The devil's role as the father of lies serves as a warning to Christians to remain vigilant against deceit in all its forms. By adhering to the truth, believers resist the devil's influence and affirm their commitment to God's righteous standards.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Judges Said: He Has Given Demonstration Enough of the Origin ...
... Jesus to have spoken falsely, when in John's Gospel He uses expressions which imply
that the devil's father is a liar, and also the Creator of the lying devil. ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/33 the judges said he.htm

Of Lying Defamation.
... to a descent from him, Ye are of your Father the Devil. John.8.44. We are by it
rendered a sort of Incubus brats, the infamous progenies of the Lying spirit. ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section v of lying defamation.htm

Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.
... can show one that is greater and nobler than obedience to father and mother ... be led
astray from the pure Word of God to the lying vanities of the devil. ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt honor thy father.htm

How the Devil Often Appeared to Brother Ruffino in the Form of a ...
... comforted by the admonitions of his saintly father, which St ... those large stones are
to be seen lying in great ... Ruffino saw plainly that it was the devil who had ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxix how the devil.htm

Self-Destruction
... they lied for the sake of gain, for the Lord had put a lying spirit into ... were cheats
and liars, and so they had given place to the devil, the father of lies ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon viii self-destruction.htm

Twofold, Father! is My Prayer. --Prov. xxx. 7-9.
... Twofold, Father! ... Grant that far from me may be Lying and idolatry; Poverty immoderate
Give me ... or poverty Is not good, for either may 'Neath the devil's pow'r ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/twofold father is my prayer prov.htm

Salvation
... Oh, listen not to the lying, slanderous Devil, who tells ... His cross is on your
foreheads, His Father is your Father:"and can a father desert his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon ii salvation.htm

Texts Explained; Eighthly, John xvii. 3 and the Like. Our Lord's ...
... 4 and 6. In the passage before us there seems an allusion to false accusation or
lying, which is the ... D. his speaking of the Arians' father the devil,' 3, c ...
/.../chapter xxiv texts explained eighthly john.htm

The Eternal Manhood
... Get thee away, thou lying hypocritical devil, who pretendest ... If the Lord God, the
Son of the Father, is not ashamed to be man for ever and ever, I ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxxv the eternal manhood.htm

Whether the Prophets of the Demons ever Foretell the Truth?
... Further, it is said of the devil (Jn.8:44) that "when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh
of his own, for the devil is a liar, and the father thereof," ie of lying. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the prophets of the.htm