The Bible has a lot to say about lying and honesty. Here is an overview of the major biblical principles and passages on this topic:
God hates lying
The Bible makes it clear that God hates lying and considers it an abomination. For example, Proverbs 6:16-17 says that one of the seven things God hates is “a lying tongue.” Proverbs 12:22 says “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” And in Revelation 21:8, liars are included in a list of those who will be condemned to the lake of fire on judgment day.
Lying is a violation of God’s commandments
The ninth commandment given by God says “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). This commandment specifically prohibits telling lies about other people, such as falsely accusing someone of wrongdoing or spreading false rumors. But the principle behind this commandment applies more broadly to lying in general.
Satan is the father of lies
In John 8:44, Jesus called Satan “a liar and the father of lies.” This indicates that lying originated with Satan and that he uses lies to carry out his purposes. Those who make lying a pattern in their lives are following in the footsteps of Satan rather than God.
Lying has destructive consequences
Lying brings significant destruction. Proverbs 26:28 says, “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” When someone lies, it ultimately hurts the person being lied to. Relationships and trust are undermined by habitual lying. A society cannot function properly when truth is not valued.
God desires truthfulness
Because God hates lying, He conversely desires that people speak the truth. The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and honesty. Ephesians 4:25 says, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” And Colossians 3:9-10 tells us to put off falsehood and “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Honesty pleases God
Whereas God hates lying, He is pleased when people are truthful and keep their word. Lying is listed alongside other sins in Proverbs 6:16-19, whereas truthfulness is extolled as a virtue. In Proverbs 12:22, quoted earlier, truthful lips are God’s delight. Speaking the truth demonstrates godly fear – Proverbs 14:2 says, “Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.”
Liars will face judgment
Those who make a practice of lying without repentance should not expect to escape the judgment of God. As Revelation 21:8 says, all liars will have their place in the lake of fire. Psalm 63:11 warns, “But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.” And in Proverbs 19:5, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.”
Examples of lying in the Bible
There are many examples of lying recorded in Scripture, often with insight into its destructive effects:
- The serpent lied to Eve about the consequences of eating the forbidden fruit, leading to the fall of humanity (Genesis 3:4-5)
- Abraham lied about Sarah being his sister, risking her being taken as a wife by pagan kings (Genesis 12:11-20, 20:1-7)
- Jacob deceived his father Isaac into giving him Esau’s blessing through disguise and lies (Genesis 27)
- Rachel lied to her father Laban about having his household gods when she left his household (Genesis 31:19)
- The midwives Shiphrah and Puah lied to Pharaoh about why they didn’t kill the Israelite babies (Exodus 1:15-21)
- Rahab lied about hiding the Israelite spies on her roof when speaking to the king’s men (Joshua 2)
- Ananias and Sapphira lied about how much they got for selling their land (Acts 5:1-11)
While some of these incidents are more ambiguous or involve broader issues of deception beyond direct lying, they illustrate how prominent lying was as a sin and how much damage it caused.
We must speak truthfully
As followers of Christ, the Bible commands us to be people of truth. Rather than lying, we should speak truthfully with our neighbors (Ephesians 4:25). We should demonstrate the honesty and integrity that reflects the character of God. Titus 2:7-8 tells us to show ourselves “in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity…” Living honestly glorifies God and serves as a testimony to others.
Truthfulness should characterize Christians
Being a Christian is incompatible with being a liar. All lying must be put away, along with other sins, when we repent and believe the gospel. Instead of falsehood, we are to put on sincere love for others (Romans 12:9, 1 Peter 1:22). Rather than using our speech to deceive, Christians use words to build others up and offer grace to listeners (Ephesians 4:29). Our lives should be so characterized by truth that others recognize and commend our honesty.
We must trust in God’s truthfulness
Not only should we as Christians be committed to living truthfully, we must have faith in God’s own faithfulness. Even when others lie or fail to keep their word, God remains true. As Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:13, “if we are faithless, he remains faithful.” The truth of God’s word can be relied on completely amidst a world of lies. Titus 1:2 says “in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.”
Walking in truth requires God’s help
Because our hearts are naturally deceptive and inclined to lying (Jeremiah 17:9), we need the Spirit’s help to live truthfully. When the Spirit guides us into truth (John 16:13) and produces His fruit in us, this includes living honestly. We must walk in the light of Christ and renounce hiddenness, purifying ourselves as He is pure (1 John 1:5-7). Living truthfully starts from a clean heart renewed by God.
Speaking truth shows love for others
Lying is ultimately self-serving, but speaking truthfully demonstrates real love and care for others. As Paul says in Ephesians 4:15, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” Even when the truth is difficult for someone to hear, it must be spoken – but should always be done lovingly, not to harm but to help.
Honesty brings freedom
Lying leads to bondage, but truth brings freedom. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Hiding in darkness, we live in fear of being exposed. But walking in the light frees us from having to maintain a web of deception. As we live transparently, in honesty before God and others, we experience great liberty.
We must repent of lying and embrace truth
For all of us, having embraced lying at some point, repentance is needed. By God’s grace, we must turn from falsehood and deceit in every form. We should pray the words of Psalm 51:6, “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” As God renews our hearts, we find freedom in living as children of the light, shining truthfully for His glory.
In summary, the consistent message of Scripture is that God desires comprehensive truthfulness from His people. Lying is characteristic of the world and Satan, but Christians are to reflect God’s own integrity and faithfulness. As we grow in grace, the Bible calls us to renounce falsehood in every form and to speak truth in love for the good of others and the glory of God.
