Topical Encyclopedia Lying, as a concept and practice, is consistently condemned throughout the Bible. It is often associated with wickedness and deceit, and those who give heed to lies are frequently depicted as unrighteous and estranged from God. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the dangers and moral implications of lying, particularly for those who choose to embrace falsehoods.Biblical References: 1. Proverbs 17:4 · "A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue." This verse highlights the connection between wickedness and the willingness to listen to lies. It suggests that those who are inclined towards evil are more likely to entertain deceitful words, indicating a moral failing and a departure from righteousness. 2. Psalm 58:3 · "The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth." Here, the psalmist emphasizes the inherent nature of wickedness and lying, suggesting that those who are wicked are predisposed to deceit from an early age. This estrangement from truth is portrayed as a fundamental characteristic of the wicked. 3. Jeremiah 9:3-6 · In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah laments the pervasive deceit among the people: "They bend their tongues like their bows; lies instead of truth prevail in the land, for they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know Me," declares the LORD. "Beware of your friends; do not trust your brothers. For every brother is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer. Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out with sinning. You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me," declares the LORD. This passage underscores the societal impact of lying and the spiritual separation it causes between the people and God. 4. Proverbs 12:22 · "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This proverb contrasts the divine disdain for lying with the pleasure God takes in truthfulness and faithfulness. It serves as a moral directive, encouraging adherence to truth as a means of aligning with God's will. 5. John 8:44 · Jesus, speaking to the Pharisees, identifies the devil as the father of lies: "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." This association of lying with the devil underscores the spiritual gravity of deceit and its opposition to the nature of God, who is truth. Moral and Spiritual Implications: The Bible consistently portrays lying as a hallmark of the wicked, a behavior that distances individuals from God and aligns them with evil. Those who give heed to lies are depicted as morally compromised and spiritually blind, unable to discern or embrace the truth. The scriptures call for a rejection of deceit and an embrace of truth, urging believers to reflect the character of God in their words and actions. The emphasis on truthfulness is not merely a moral preference but a divine mandate, integral to the life of faith and the pursuit of righteousness. Torrey's Topical Textbook Proverbs 17:4A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library How Jadon the Prophet was Persuaded by Another Lying Prophet and ... Ye have Given no Heed to False Teachers. Add to This, and Here is Cause to Cry Out More Piteously... The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ... Why the Pharisees Asked a Sign from Heaven. John viii. 20 Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Vision Third. Concerning the Building of the Triumphant Church ... How Aristobulus, when He had Taken the Government First of all Put ... Jesus, Accordingly, in Turning Away the Minds of his Disciples... 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 |