What does the Bible say about telling lies?
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The Bible teaches that lying is sin, opposed to God’s holy character, and destructive to the trust and love he calls his people to practice. God cannot lie, and Scripture identifies the devil as the father of lies, while warning that unrepentant liars face God’s judgment (Numbers 23:19; John 8:44; Revelation 21:8). The ninth commandment forbids false witness, and Proverbs says lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, though truthful speech endures (Exodus 20:16; Proverbs 12:22, 12:19). Christians, having put off the old self, are called to speak truth with their neighbors (Ephesians 4:25). Yet Christ receives repentant sinners, forgiving and renewing them to walk in truth.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- John 8:44
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 it.
- Revelation 21:8
But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
- 1 John 2:4
One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him.
- Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, But those who do the truth are his delight.
- Ephesians 4:25
Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members one of another.
- Exodus 20:16
"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
- Proverbs 12:19
Truth's lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only momentary.
- Proverbs 19:9
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
- Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good?
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