Lying Is a Sin

Lying is a sin; our Heavenly Father does not want us to lie to anyone. Lying is when we intentionally say something that is not true, or manipulate the truth for any reason. In our secular world we are so used to lies, especially lies we consider inconsequential, that they have become part of our daily lives. We probably do not even realize all the lies we say, the many sins we commit every day through our lies.

*'You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. Lev 19:11 NKJV+

* Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Col 3:9-10 ESV+

We will all lie and we will all be lied to, because we are all sinners. It is speculated that the average person lies or is lied to between 3 to 200 times a day. We need to become aware of the lies we are telling, so we will quit making them. We need to become observant to what we are told, not passing it along unless we verify the information to be true, unless it is meaningful and not just gossip. We must receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts, allow Him to guide us, give us the strength to stay in the truth.

*You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. Ps 52:3 NIV+

*(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), Eph 5:9 NKJV+

There is a misconception that there are sins which are greater, more evil than others. Surely lying is not as bad as killing someone, no one will go to Hell for indiscreet lies. Yet all sins push us away from our God, will keep us from Him. When we have committed any sin, we become a sinner, the same as those who have committed other sins. Liars must come to our Lord and change, so they can receive forgiveness through faith in the atoning grace of Christ. Or they will be condemned to Hell, just like all other sinners are, no matter what their offenses against our God are (though their will be degrees of punishment in Hell).

*For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. Ja 2:10 NKJV+

*But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Rev 21:7-8 NKJV+

*But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. Rev 22:15 NKJV+

We should tell the truth all of the time, in a loving, caring, manner. Doing unto others as we would like them do unto us. Some will be irritated, even mad at us for always telling the truth. Yet if we lie, many will be much more upset with us when they realize we told them a lie, and considered us liars. And if we consistently tell the truth, we will eventually gain respect, and our word will be considered to be true. Many will also recognize that we are different, see that we love our Lord, and may want to know more about Him.

*Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1Co 13:6-7 NIV+

*Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. Eph 4:25 NKJV+

And most important we should never lie to ourselves. It is much easier to make excuses in our heart, spin the truth into a lie, than give up our human desires, the pleasures of this world. It is easier to rationalize away God, the need to come to Him now, then admit to our mistakes, our sins, especially the ones we deem to be minor. Yet only the truth will set us free, the truth that we are sinners, and only faith in the blood Jesus shed for us on the cross can forgive our sins. Children of God will always strive to follow all of our Father’s commands, because we love Him. This includes always trying to tell the truth.

*The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1Jn 2:4 NIV+

*And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Jn 8:32 NKJV+

Here are a few thoughts one might want to consider: See short story The Rancher

- When we tell a lie we are only deceiving ourselves; for God always knows the truth

- All lies are sin, whether big or small; and push us away from God.

- When we lie, we gain nothing; we only lose the many blessings God wants to give us

- The easiest person to lie to is ourselves; to hide our own short comings

- Standing by silently when a lie is told; makes us become part of that lie.

- Never say behind one’s back; what we would not say to their face.

- Don’t be a party to gossip; merely ask the person involved

- Secrecy makes a void where gossip quickly grows; making the ugliest lie believable.

- When we tell a lie, it can force us to tell another lie; until we are tangled in a web of our own deception.

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+ESV “Scripture quotations marked [ESV] are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version,” copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good New Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Some words in the verses from these Bibles may be emphasized with bold letters.