What does the Bible say about lying?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that lying is hateful to God, harms our neighbors, and belongs to the old sinful way of life from which Christ saves His people. Proverbs 12:22 says that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, while Proverbs 6:16-19 includes a false witness among the sins He hates. The ninth commandment, Exodus 20:16, forbids false testimony and calls us to protect truth and our neighbor's good name. Jesus identifies the devil as the father of lies in John 8:44, but believers are renewed in Christ to put away falsehood and speak truth, as Ephesians 4:25 and Colossians 3:9-10 teach. Though lies may seem hidden, Luke 8:17 assures us that God will bring them to light.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 12:22 6 votes
Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.
- Proverbs 6:16-19 5 votes
There are six things which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.
- Proverbs 19:9 4 votes
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
- Psalms 101:7 4 votes
He who practices deceit won’t dwell within my house. He who speaks falsehood won’t be established before my eyes.
- Proverbs 12:19 3 votes
Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
- Colossians 3:9-10 3 votes
Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,
- Luke 8:17 2 votes
For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
- John 8:44 2 votes
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.
- Exodus 20:16 2 votes
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
- Ephesians 4:25 2 votes
Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
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