What Does the Bible Say About Liars?
The Bible speaks clearly and forcefully about the sin of lying. Far from being a minor offense, lying is consistently portrayed in Scripture as a direct contradiction of God's character and a mark of spiritual corruption. Liars, according to the Bible, are not simply people who make mistakes with their words—they are those who reject truth, distort reality, and disrupt community.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible presents truth as sacred and falsehood as dangerous. In this article, we will explore what the Bible says about liars: their character, consequences, spiritual roots, and the hope of redemption.
1. God Hates Lying Because He Is the God of Truth
At the core of the Bible’s teaching is this: God is true, and there is no falsehood in Him. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that He should lie.” Titus 1:2 echoes this, describing Him as the one “who never lies.” Because God's nature is truth, liars stand in direct opposition to who He is.
Key points include:
God is called the “God of truth” (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 31:5).
Lying is incompatible with His nature.
Truthfulness reflects God's image in humanity.
This is why Scripture says that “lying lips are an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 12:22). God’s hatred of lying is not arbitrary—it flows from His holiness, justice, and love for truth.
2. Liars Will Face Judgment
The Bible doesn’t merely warn against lying in theory; it states plainly that liars will face divine judgment. Revelation 21:8 offers one of the strongest warnings:
“All liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
This passage places liars alongside murderers, idolaters, and the sexually immoral—showing that lying is not a “small sin” in God's eyes. Persistent dishonesty reveals a hardened heart that has turned away from truth.
Additional warnings include:
Proverbs 19:5, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape.”
Psalm 101:7, “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”
These verses remind us that liars, if unrepentant, will not inherit God’s kingdom.
3. Lying Reflects a Corrupt Nature
The Bible teaches that lying is not just a behavior problem—it’s a heart issue. Jesus says in Matthew 12:34, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” A lying tongue reveals a deeper spiritual sickness.
According to Scripture:
Lying is a mark of the unregenerate life (Colossians 3:9).
The devil is called the “father of lies” (John 8:44), and those who lie reflect his character.
Those who persist in falsehood risk losing sensitivity to truth (Ephesians 4:17–19).
This is why Paul commands believers to “put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). Honesty is not just good manners—it is a mark of spiritual renewal and sanctification.
4. The Book of Proverbs on Liars and Wise Speech
Proverbs, the Bible’s book of wisdom, speaks frequently about lying and the power of speech. Liars are repeatedly condemned, and the wise are called to fear God and use their words with care.
Key teachings include:
Proverbs 6:16–19 lists “a lying tongue” and “a false witness” among the things the Lord hates.
Proverbs 10:18 warns that “whoever spreads slander is a fool.”
Proverbs 14:5, “A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.”
According to the Bible, speech is not neutral—it can build or destroy, bless or curse, heal or harm. The wise person fears the Lord and avoids dishonest words, while the fool is careless and deceitful.
5. The Gospel Offers Hope to Liars
Despite the strong condemnation of liars, the Bible does not leave us without hope. In 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, Paul lists many types of sinners—including deceivers—and then says:
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ…”
The Gospel offers real transformation:
Liars can be forgiven through repentance and faith in Christ.
Hearts can be changed, leading to new patterns of truth and integrity.
The Holy Spirit works in believers to make their speech a reflection of God’s truth.
In the end, the story of redemption is a story of restoring truth. Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). To follow Him is to walk in the light, not in deception.
Conclusion: What the Bible Says About Liars
What does the Bible say about liars? It says that lying is detestable to God, damaging to others, and deadly to the soul. The Scriptures connect lying to the devil and declare that persistent liars will face judgment unless they turn in repentance.
Yet the Bible also says that liars—like all sinners—can be redeemed. Through Jesus Christ, truth reigns, and forgiveness is offered. The call of the Gospel is not simply to stop lying, but to become truthful people—those who mirror the God of truth and speak words that give life.
Bible verses about liars:
Revelation 21:8, "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral… and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Proverbs 12:22, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight."
John 8:44, "You are of your father the devil… he is a liar and the father of it."
Colossians 3:9, "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds."
Proverbs 6:17, "A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood…"
Psalm 101:7, "He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence."
Ephesians 4:25, "Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another."
Proverbs 19:9, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies shall perish."
1 Timothy 1:10, "…for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine."
Zechariah 8:16, "These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace."
