Bible Verses About Lying

King Solomon presents one of Scripture's starkest contrasts between lying and truthfulness in God's estimation. The Hebrew "tō'ēbāh" (תּוֹעֵבָה) translated "detests" or "abomination" expresses the strongest possible divine revulsion - it's the same term used for idolatry and other sins that fundamentally oppose God's nature. Lying lips (siptē sheqer) represent not just false words but a character marked by deception and dishonesty. In dramatic contrast, those who "deal truly" ('ĕmunāh) - literally "act with faithfulness or reliability" - bring God "delight" (rātsōn), meaning pleasure, acceptance, and approval. John MacArthur emphasizes that this verse reveals lying as fundamentally incompatible with God's nature, since He is absolute truth who cannot lie (Numbers 23:19). The intensity of God's reaction shows that lying isn't merely a social problem but a spiritual offense that attacks the foundation of reality itself. Charles Spurgeon noted that lying is particularly heinous because it makes us like Satan, the father of lies, rather than reflecting our heavenly Father's truthful character. This verse challenges believers to examine whether their speech patterns delight or revolt the God they claim to serve. Truthfulness isn't merely good policy but an essential reflection of being made in God's image. (Desiring God)

Paul connects truthfulness directly to the believer's transformed identity in Christ, showing that lying is incompatible with the new nature received at salvation. The command "mē pseudesthe" (do not lie) uses the Greek "pseudomai" (ψεύδομαι), which encompasses all forms of deception, falsehood, and dishonesty - not just outright lies but also half-truths, misleading statements, and deceptive silence. The reason given is crucial: "since you have taken off your old self with its practices." The aorist tense "apekdysamenoi" (have taken off) indicates a completed action - at conversion, believers permanently removed their old sinful nature like discarding filthy clothes. The "old self" (palaios anthrōpos) represents the unregenerate person characterized by sin, including habitual deception. John Calvin emphasized that this verse teaches lying as fundamentally inconsistent with Christian identity - it belongs to our pre-conversion life that has been crucified with Christ. The phrase "with its practices" (syn tais praxesin) shows that the old nature expressed itself through sinful behaviors, including deception. Martyn Lloyd-Jones noted that Paul doesn't just forbid lying but explains why Christians shouldn't lie - it contradicts who they now are in Christ. This identity-based motivation is more powerful than mere rule-keeping because it appeals to our transformed nature rather than external obligation. (Desiring God)

Paul provides both the reason to abandon falsehood and the motivation to embrace truthfulness within the Christian community. The command "apothemenoi to pseudos" (having put away falsehood) uses the Greek "pseudos" (ψεῦδος), meaning any form of falsehood, deception, or untruth - encompassing lies, half-truths, exaggerations, and misleading statements. The positive command "laleite alētheian" (speak truth) uses "alētheia" (ἀλήθεια), meaning reality, truthfulness, and integrity in both word and character. The motivation is profoundly communal: "for we are members one of another" (hoti esmen allēlōn melē). This body metaphor from 1 Corinthians 12 emphasizes that deception within the church damages the entire community, like one body part harming another. John Chrysostom noted that lying to fellow believers is ultimately self-destructive because we're interconnected parts of Christ's body. The phrase "with his neighbor" (meta tou plēsion) specifically refers to fellow believers rather than the world in general. R.C. Sproul emphasized that truthfulness builds trust, enables genuine fellowship, and reflects Christ's character, while deception destroys unity, creates suspicion, and grieves the Holy Spirit. This verse shows that truthfulness isn't just individual virtue but essential for healthy Christian community. (Ligonier Ministries)

John's vision of the New Jerusalem includes this sobering list of those excluded from God's eternal kingdom, placing liars alongside murderers and other serious sinners to emphasize deception's eternal seriousness. The Greek "pseudes" (ψευδές) refers to those characterized by falsehood - not people who occasionally lie but those whose lives are marked by persistent, unrepentant deception. The phrase "all liars" (pantes oi pseudes) indicates comprehensive exclusion of those who make lying their pattern and refuse to repent. The destination is "the lake of fire and sulfur" (tē limnē tō kaiomenō pyri kai theiō), described as "the second death" - eternal, conscious separation from God. John MacArthur emphasizes this doesn't mean every lie damns someone to hell, but rather describes the character of those who reject Christ and continue in habitual sin, including persistent dishonesty. The context contrasts those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life (who have been forgiven) with those who remain in their sins. Charles Spurgeon noted that this verse reveals lying's ultimate seriousness - it aligns us with Satan rather than Christ and, if unrepented, leads to eternal destruction. The warning serves both to soberly warn unbelievers and motivate believers toward truthfulness as evidence of genuine salvation. (Grace to You)

King Solomon presents the inescapable principle that those who practice deception will face inevitable consequences for their dishonesty. The phrase "false witness" ('ēd shāqer) specifically refers to bearing false testimony, particularly in legal settings, but the parallel with "speaking lies" (yāpiḥa kĕzābīm) broadens the application to all forms of deception. The Hebrew "lo' yinnāqeh" (will not go unpunished) uses a legal term indicating that false witnesses will not be acquitted or escape judgment. The consequence "will perish" (yo'ābēd) uses the Hebrew "'ābad" (אָבַד) meaning to be destroyed, ruined, or lost. This destruction operates on multiple levels - social (loss of reputation and relationships), practical (consequences of broken trust), and ultimately spiritual (divine judgment). Matthew Henry emphasized that this verse reveals lying's self-destructive nature - liars ultimately destroy themselves as much as they harm others. The principle applies both to immediate temporal consequences (liars are eventually exposed and lose credibility) and eternal judgment (persistent liars face God's wrath). Charles Spurgeon noted that lying is particularly self-defeating because it requires more lies to maintain the deception, creating an increasingly unstable foundation. This proverb warns that while lying may seem advantageous temporarily, its long-term consequences are always destructive. (Spurgeon Archive)

In this confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus delivers one of Scripture's most revealing statements about lying's spiritual source and nature. The phrase "you are of your father the devil" (hymeis ek tou patros tou diabolou este) establishes spiritual kinship based on moral character rather than ethnic heritage. The Greek "diabolos" (διάβολος) means "slanderer" or "accuser," emphasizing Satan's deceptive nature. Jesus declares that Satan "was a murderer from the beginning" (anthrōpoktonos ēn ap' archēs), linking his first lie in Eden directly to spiritual death. The phrase "there is no truth in him" (ouk estin alētheia en autō) indicates Satan's complete separation from reality and truthfulness. Most significantly, "when he lies, he speaks from his own nature" (hotan lalē to pseudos, ek tōn idiōn lalei) - literally "out of his own things" - showing that deception flows naturally from Satan's essential character. The climactic declaration "he is a liar and the father of it" (pseustēs estin kai ho patēr autou) identifies Satan as both the originator and supreme example of all deception. John Calvin emphasized that this verse reveals lying's demonic origin and explains why it's so destructive - it aligns us with Satan rather than Christ. The implication is profound: when we lie, we speak Satan's native language and reflect his character rather than God's truthfulness. (Desiring God)

King David's psalm of personal integrity establishes his commitment to maintaining truthfulness in both personal character and royal administration. The Hebrew "rami"āh" (רָמִיָּה) refers to subtle deception, treachery, or craftiness - not just obvious lies but sophisticated manipulation and deceitful schemes. The parallel term "sheqer" (שֶׁקֶר) means falsehood, lies, or deception in any form. David's double declaration - "shall not dwell in my house" and "shall not stand in my presence" - indicates complete exclusion from both intimate fellowship and official position. The Hebrew "yāshēb" (dwell) suggests permanent residence, while "yikkōn" (stand) indicates being established or remaining in position. This reflects David's understanding that leadership requires absolute integrity - those who practice deception cannot be trusted with responsibility or intimate counsel. John Calvin noted that this verse reflects God's own character - He cannot fellowship with deception because He is absolute truth. The principle applies beyond royal courts to all Christian relationships and leadership - those who habitually practice deception disqualify themselves from positions of trust. Matthew Henry emphasized that this standard isn't perfectionism but a commitment to basic honesty and integrity as prerequisites for meaningful fellowship and responsible service. David's commitment reveals that truthfulness isn't optional for those who would serve God effectively. (BibleHub Commentaries)

This verse appears within Solomon's catalog of seven things that God hates, placing "a lying tongue" (lāshōn shāqer) second only to "haughty eyes" in this list of detestable sins. The Hebrew "shāqer" (שָׁקֶר) encompasses all forms of falsehood, deception, and dishonesty - from subtle half-truths to bold-faced lies. The term "tongue" (lāshōn) emphasizes the instrument of deception, but represents the person's character expressed through their speech. The inclusion of lying in this exclusive list of seven abominations reveals its serious offense to God's holy nature. John MacArthur notes that lying appears early in this progression because deception often enables and facilitates other sins - pride requires self-deception, murder often involves covering lies, and false witness destroys justice. The Hebrew "to'ēbāh" (abomination) expresses God's strongest possible revulsion - the same term used for idolatry and other practices that fundamentally oppose His character. Charles Spurgeon observed that lying is particularly heinous because it attacks the foundation of all social and spiritual relationships - trust. When people cannot depend on our words, meaningful fellowship becomes impossible. This verse challenges believers to examine whether their speech patterns reflect God's truthful character or align with the deceptive practices He abhors. The placement of lying tongue among these seven sins shows that God takes truthfulness as seriously as He does moral purity and social justice. (Grace to You)

Balaam's declaration, spoken under divine compulsion despite his desire to curse Israel for profit, provides one of Scripture's most foundational statements about God's absolute truthfulness. The phrase "God is not a man that he should lie" (lo' 'ish 'ēl wikîzzēb) establishes a fundamental contrast between divine and human nature - humans naturally tend toward deception, but God's nature makes lying impossible. The parallel "not a son of man that he should change his mind" (ubēn-'adam wĕyitnāḥām) emphasizes God's immutability - He doesn't change His mind capriciously like humans do. The Hebrew "kāzab" (כָּזַב) means to lie, deceive, or speak falsely - something fundamentally incompatible with God's perfect nature. The rhetorical questions "Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?" emphasize the absolute reliability of God's word - what He promises, He will certainly perform. John Calvin emphasized that this verse establishes the foundation of all faith - we can trust God completely because His nature makes deception impossible. Unlike humans who lie to gain advantage or avoid consequences, God has no need or capacity for falsehood. R.C. Sproul noted that this divine truthfulness is what makes revelation possible - we can trust Scripture because the God who cannot lie has spoken through it. This verse calls believers to reflect God's truthful character in our own speech and relationships. (Ligonier Ministries)

Paul establishes the unshakeable foundation of Christian hope by grounding it in God's essential nature as the God "who does not lie" (ho apseudēs theos). The Greek "apseudēs" (ἀψευδής) is a strong compound word meaning "without falsehood" or "incapable of deception" - it describes not just God's choice to be truthful but His essential inability to lie. This isn't a limitation but a perfection - lying would contradict God's perfect nature and diminish His glory. The promise of "eternal life" (zōēn aiōnion) was made "before eternal times" (pro chronōn aiōniōn), indicating God's eternal purpose predating creation. The phrase "he promised" (epēngeila) uses a word indicating a definite commitment or pledge - God has bound Himself by His word. John MacArthur emphasizes that this verse provides absolute assurance for believers - our hope of eternal life doesn't rest on uncertain human promises but on the unbreakable word of a God whose nature makes deception impossible. The contrast is implicit but powerful - while humans regularly lie and break promises, God's character guarantees the fulfillment of every promise. Charles Spurgeon noted that this divine truthfulness is what enables faith - we can trust completely in God's promises because the One who made them cannot lie. This verse challenges believers to examine whether our own truthfulness reflects our allegiance to the God who is truth itself. (Desiring God)