“Lying”

Jarrod Jacobs

            In a world that expects us to lie, take note of what God says about lying. God condemns lying in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament we read, “Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt” (Ps. 31:18). David also prayed that God would consume those who sinned by lying and cursing with their mouth (Ps. 59:12). Proverbs 6:17 reveals that God hates a “lying tongue.” Solomon said, “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but those that act faithfully are his delight” (Prov. 12:22). The righteous man will hate lying (Prov. 13:5). Jeremiah says that “lying words” are words which “cannot profit” (Jer. 7:8).

            Looking to the New Testament, we learn the Christian must put away, “lying” and “speak the truth with his neighbor” (Eph. 4:25). In Colossians 3:9, the apostle Paul says to “lie not.” Could a Scripture be any plainer than this? We read in Acts 5 of Ananias and Sapphira who lied to God (Acts 5:1-11). As a result of their lying to God, they were struck dead (v. 3-5, 10)!! Jesus said, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).

            Could there be any plainer language? What else needs to be said to get people to understand that God demands honesty? Let us be forsake dishonesty and be honest people!