Definition and Nature:
Telling a lie is the act of making a false statement with the intention of deceiving others. In the biblical context, lying is considered a sin and is contrary to the nature of God, who is described as the God of truth. The Bible consistently condemns lying and emphasizes the importance of truthfulness.

Biblical References:

1. The Ninth Commandment:
The prohibition against lying is explicitly stated in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:16 declares, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." This commandment underscores the importance of honesty in maintaining justice and community integrity.

2. God's Nature and Truth:
God is depicted as a God of truth, and His followers are called to emulate His character. Numbers 23:19 states, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" This verse highlights God's unwavering truthfulness.

3. The Consequences of Lying:
The Bible warns of the spiritual and moral consequences of lying. Proverbs 12:22 says, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This verse indicates that God abhors deceit and values honesty.

4. Satan as the Father of Lies:
Lying is associated with Satan, who is described as the father of lies. John 8:44 records Jesus saying, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies."

5. The Call to Truthfulness:
Believers are called to speak the truth in love and to put away falsehood. Ephesians 4:25 instructs, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another." This verse emphasizes the communal aspect of truthfulness within the body of Christ.

6. The Example of Ananias and Sapphira:
The account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 serves as a sobering example of the seriousness of lying to God. They lied about the proceeds from the sale of their property, and as a result, both fell dead. This narrative illustrates the gravity of deceit and the importance of integrity before God.

7. The Final Judgment:
Revelation 21:8 warns of the eternal consequences for liars: "But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." This passage underscores the ultimate judgment awaiting those who persist in deceit.

Practical Implications:
The biblical teaching on lying calls believers to a life of integrity and truthfulness. Christians are encouraged to reflect God's character by being honest in their words and actions, fostering trust and righteousness in their relationships and communities.Colossians 3:9-10
Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds;
Topicalbible.org

John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Topicalbible.org

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 shall he not do it? or has he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 5:6
You shall destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
Topicalbible.org

1 John 2:4
He that said, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Topicalbible.org

Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, 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.
Topicalbible.org

Whether Secret Abstinence Ought to be Made Known, Without Telling ...
... Whether secret abstinence ought to be made known, without telling a lie about it,
to those who ask, and whether what has once been declined may be taken in hand ...
/.../the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxi whether secret abstinence.htm

But Some Man Will Say, Would Then those Midwives and Rahab have ...
... Could she do this? Would she not, if she did not by telling a lie deceive the
inquiring citizens, by speaking truth betray the lurking guests? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 34 but some man.htm

Of Lies are Many Sorts, which Indeed All...
... who were deceived by us when speaking false; and whether they will be willing to
hear one teaching whom they have thus experienced telling a lie,who can know ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 4 of lies are.htm

These are the False Accusations; the Accusation of Classicism...
... I may silently support all the obscene fictions and forgeries in the universe,
without once telling a lie. I may wear another man's ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 38 these are the.htm

Thus Has the Question Been on Both Sides Considered and Treated...
... and piety, to conceal at fitting time whatever seems fit to be concealed: but to
tell a lie is never lawful, therefore neither to conceal by telling a lie. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 12 thus has the.htm

A Lie is not Allowable, Even to Save Another from Injury.
... Nor are we to suppose that there is any lie that is not a sin, because it is
sometimes possible, by telling a lie, to do service to another. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 22 a lie is not.htm

But if any Man Supposes that the Reason Why it is Right for A...
... for a well-meant [2329] lie, deeming that by a false story a man may be frightened
and kept from lust, and in this way account that by telling a lie he is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 11 but if any.htm

There Resulteth Then from all These this Sentence...
... hath its name in the Latin tongue, from that the thing is done which is said: [2377]
and thus it is manifest that one doth not exhibit when telling a lie. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 41 there resulteth then.htm

But Sometimes a Peril to Eternal Salvation Itself is Put Forth ...
... a peril to eternal salvation itself is put forth against us; [2466] which peril,
they cry out, we by telling a lie, if otherwise it cannot be, must ward off. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 40 but sometimes a.htm

Which Sentence Dishonoreth the Holy Martyrs, Nay Rather Taketh ...
... to these men, not to confess to their persecutors that they were Christians, and
by confessing make them murderers: but rather by telling a lie, and denying ...
/.../augustine/against lying/section 3 which sentence dishonoreth.htm

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