In the context of the Bible, lying is considered a sin and is addressed in various passages throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Lying is generally understood as the act of intentionally providing false information or deceiving others. The Bible consistently portrays lying as contrary to the nature of God, who is described as a God of truth.

Old Testament References

The prohibition against lying is explicitly stated in the Ten Commandments, where God commands, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness in maintaining justice and community integrity.

Proverbs frequently addresses the issue of lying, contrasting the righteous with the wicked. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight" . This verse highlights God's disdain for deceit and His pleasure in honesty.

In the narrative of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, although not in the Old Testament, the consequences of lying to the Holy Spirit are dramatically illustrated. Their deceit regarding the sale of property results in their immediate deaths, serving as a stark warning against dishonesty.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of truthfulness. Jesus, in His teachings, often contrasts truth with falsehood. In John 8:44, Jesus describes the devil as "a liar and the father of lies" , indicating that lying is aligned with the nature of Satan rather than God.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently admonishes believers to speak the truth. In Ephesians 4:25, he writes, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another" . This instruction is part of a broader call to live a life worthy of the calling received in Christ, characterized by integrity and honesty.

Theological Implications

Lying is fundamentally at odds with the character of God, who is described as "the God of truth" (Isaiah 65:16). The Bible teaches that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and as His followers, Christians are called to emulate His truthfulness. Lying not only damages relationships and communities but also disrupts one's relationship with God.

The Bible also presents truth as liberating. Jesus declares, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). This freedom is not merely from ignorance but from the bondage of sin, including the sin of lying.

Practical Considerations

For believers, the call to avoid lying is both a moral and spiritual imperative. It involves cultivating a heart and mind committed to truth, as well as practicing honesty in speech and action. The Bible encourages believers to confess and repent of lies, seeking forgiveness and restoration through Christ.

In summary, lying is consistently condemned in Scripture as contrary to the nature of God and the life He calls His people to live. The Bible's teachings on lying serve as a guide for believers to pursue truthfulness in all aspects of life, reflecting the character of God and fostering trust within the community of faith.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Lie.

2. (n.) A lay; a German song. It differs from the French chanson, and the Italian canzone, all three being national.

5574. pseudomai -- to lie
... Word Origin from a root pseud- Definition to lie NASB Word Usage falsely
(1), lie (6), lied (1), lying (4). to lie, speak falsely. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5574.htm - 7k3584. kachash -- to disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean
... 1), deceived (1), deceives (1), deception (1), denied (2), deny (3), denying (1),
fail (2), give feigned obedience (1), grown lean (1), lied (3), pretend ...
/hebrew/3584.htm - 6k

3576. kazab -- to lie, be a liar
... root Definition to lie, be a liar NASB Word Usage fail (2), false (1), liars (1),
lie (6), lied (2), lying (1), prove me a liar (1), proved a liar (1), told ...
/hebrew/3576.htm - 6k

Ein Neues Lied Wir Heben An. By Help of God I Fain Would Tell.
... V. Ein neues Lied wir heben an. ... 1. Ein neues Lied wir heben an, Das walt' Gott unser
Herre, Zu singen was Gott hat gethan Zu seinem Lob und Ehre. ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/v ein neues lied wir.htm

There is a Great Question About Lying, which Often Arises in the ...
... or this one, who in saying a true thing aimed that he to whom he spake should follow
a falsehood? Or haply have both lied? ... Or rather, has neither lied? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 1 there is a.htm

Ananias and Sapphira.
... As the construction of the original language is here different from that in the
end of the fourth verse, where he is said," not to have lied to men, but to God ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vi ananias and sapphira.htm

Excuses.
... If a man says to me, "Mr. Moody, you have lied to me; you have dealt falsely with
me," it may be so, but no man on the face of the earth can say that God ever ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/excuses.htm

Whether Every Lie is a Sin?
... But we read of certain very holy men that they lied. ... Jacob also lied when he said
that he was Esau, and yet he received a blessing (Gn.27:27-29). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether every lie is a.htm

But Some Man Will Say, Would Then those Midwives and Rahab have ...
... Of course even so would the things have been like to come to pass, through fear
of which she lied. And where do we put the will and power of God? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 34 but some man.htm

A Warning against Hypocrisy
... Ananias and Sapphira practiced fraud in their dealing with God; they lied to the
Holy Spirit, and their sin was visited with swift and terrible judgment. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 7 a warning against.htm

Ananias and Sapphira
... power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou
hast not lied unto men, but unto God" (Acts 5:2-4). The ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/ananias and sapphira.htm

On the Words of the Gospel of John vii. 6, Etc. , Where Jesus Said ...
... what is in peril? Lest the Lord, yea, to speak more plainly, lest the Truth Itself
should be thought to have lied. ... We have heard say that He lied. ...
/.../sermon lxxxiii on the words.htm

Although, Even if There Went Before no Testimonies Concerning ...
... was afore proclaimed; and when it hath come in such manner as it was afore proclaimed,
who is there so mad as to assert that the Apostles lied concerning Christ ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /10 although even if there.htm

Lied (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lied (13 Occurrences). Acts ... heart? You haven't lied
to men, but to God." (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/lied.htm - 10k

Lie (291 Occurrences)
... guilty of this sin are cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). We are reminded
of the awful fate meted out to Ananias and Sapphira when they lied to God ...
/l/lie.htm - 48k

Lien (3 Occurrences)

/l/lien.htm - 7k

Lying (203 Occurrences)
... guilty of this sin are cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). We are reminded
of the awful fate meted out to Ananias and Sapphira when they lied to God ...
/l/lying.htm - 44k

Whiles (8 Occurrences)
... and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this
thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. (KJV). ...
/w/whiles.htm - 9k

Wasn't (35 Occurrences)
... After it was sold, wasn't it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this
thing in your heart? You haven't lied to men, but to God." (WEB NIV). ...
/w/wasn't.htm - 16k

Flatter (5 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Psalms 78:36 But they flattered him with their mouth,
and lied to him with their tongue. (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV). ...
/f/flatter.htm - 8k

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 6:3 or hath found a lost thing, and hath lied concerning it, and hath
sworn to a falsehood, concerning one of all 'these' which man doth, sinning in ...
/f/falsehood.htm - 36k

Fearest (10 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Isaiah 57:11 And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast
lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? ...
/f/fearest.htm - 9k

Flattered (1 Occurrence)
... Flattered (1 Occurrence). Psalms 78:36 But they flattered him with their mouth,
and lied to him with their tongue. (WEB ASV DBY WBS RSV). ...
/f/flattered.htm - 6k

Did Jesus lie to His brothers in John 7:8 10? | GotQuestions.org

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Lied: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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