What Does the Bible Say About Lying?
The Bible consistently teaches that lying is a serious sin. From Genesis to Revelation, truthfulness is shown to be a central trait of God’s people, while deception is portrayed as the tool of the enemy. Lying is not just about dishonest speech—it is a distortion of reality that undermines relationships, betrays trust, and leads people away from God’s character.
In this article, we will explore what the Bible says about lying by examining its theological roots, moral implications, spiritual dangers, and ultimate consequences.
1. God Is Truth, and Lying Opposes His Nature
The foundation of biblical ethics is the character of God. The Bible describes God as one who “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). His Word is always true (Psalm 119:160), His judgments are just (Deuteronomy 32:4), and His promises are trustworthy.
In contrast, Jesus identifies the devil as “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Lying is not a small mistake—it is participating in the very rebellion that began in Eden. When Satan deceived Eve with the question, “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1), he planted the first lie in human history.
This contrast is vital:
God’s truth leads to life and freedom (John 8:32).
Lying leads to death and bondage (Proverbs 19:9).
To lie, then, is not only to break a rule—it is to misrepresent the God whose image we bear.
2. The Bible Condemns Lying in Every Form
The Ten Commandments include the prohibition against false witness (Exodus 20:16), which is a specific kind of lying that distorts justice and destroys reputations. But the broader biblical witness expands this command to include every form of deceit:
False testimony (Proverbs 19:5)
Flattery and manipulation (Psalm 12:2)
Perjury and fraud (Leviticus 19:11)
Religious hypocrisy (Isaiah 29:13)
In the Wisdom Literature, lying is described as an abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 12:22). The prophets warned against those who “lie and do not repent” (Jeremiah 8:5). The Psalms cry out against deceitful tongues and call the righteous to walk in integrity (Psalm 15:1–2).
In the New Testament, the standard is no less demanding. Paul tells the church to “put away falsehood” and to “speak the truth with [their] neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). Truthfulness is part of the new life in Christ, while lying belongs to the old nature that must be crucified.
3. Lying Is a Sin Against the Holy Spirit
One of the clearest warnings in the Bible comes from the tragic story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11). This couple sold property and brought part of the proceeds to the apostles while pretending it was the full amount. Peter rebuked them, saying, “You have not lied to man but to God.” Both died suddenly as a divine judgment.
This story reveals several theological truths:
Lying is not just interpersonal—it is spiritual.
Deceiving others is equivalent to resisting the Holy Spirit of truth.
Religious deceit is especially dangerous.
The seriousness of this event underscores that the early church was to be marked by integrity. A community built on the Gospel cannot also be built on lies.
4. Idolatry and Falsehood: Lying About God
The Bible links lying not only to immoral conduct but also to false worship. Idolatry, in biblical theology, is a form of lying. It promotes a false view of God and misleads people into worshiping what is not true.
As Paul explains in Romans 1:25, sinners “exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” In this sense:
Every idol is a lie about who God is.
Every distortion of truth is a misrepresentation of reality.
Every act of deceit is an attempt to live in a world disconnected from God’s rule.
Thus, to tell lies is not just to sin horizontally against others—it is to break vertical fellowship with the God of truth.
5. The End of All Lies: Truth in the New Creation
The Bible closes with a vision of a restored world—a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells. In the New Jerusalem, there is no room for falsehood. Revelation 21:8 says that “all liars” will have their portion in the lake of fire, alongside the faithless, the murderers, and the idolaters. Revelation 21:27 affirms that “nothing unclean… nor anyone who practices falsehood” will enter the city.
This final judgment reveals:
God will not allow lying to pollute His renewed creation.
Truth will reign in the eternal Kingdom.
Only those made righteous through Christ will dwell in the presence of the Truth.
This is not legalism—it is eschatological hope. The Gospel does not merely forgive liars; it transforms them into truth-tellers who bear witness to the Light (John 3:21).
Conclusion: What the Bible Says About Lying and the Gospel
So, what does the Bible say about lying? It says that lying is a betrayal of God’s truth, a violation of human trust, and a sin with eternal consequences. Yet the Bible also offers a way forward: through repentance, renewal, and rebirth in Christ.
The Gospel of Jesus is good news for the liar. Jesus bore the penalty of deceit, endured false witness, and died for sinners of every kind—including those who have twisted the truth. Through faith in Him, liars become people of truth—renewed in mind and heart to reflect the God who is faithful and true.
In a world filled with misinformation, broken promises, and deceptive appearances, the church is called to be a counterculture of honesty. By living in truth, Christians become a witness to the One who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
10 Bible verses about lying:
Proverbs 12:22, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight."
Exodus 20:16, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
Colossians 3:9, "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds."
John 8:44, "You are of your father the devil... he is a liar and the father of it."
Ephesians 4:25, "Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another."
Revelation 21:8, "But... all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Proverbs 19:9, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies shall perish."
Acts 5:3, "But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit...?'"
Psalm 101:7, "He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence."
Revelation 21:27, "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie..."
