Proverbs 6:16-19 tells us, “These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”
And yet, many people believe that lying is OK in some situations.
Lying is the devil's language. We affiliate ourselves with him when we lie. Jesus says, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44
Lying
can be cruel. The worst kind of lie is a deliberate attempt to hurt someone. It
can destroy reputations and ruin lives. Potipher’s wife lied, and Joseph was
sent to prison for years.
Some
will lie to escape consequences (The dog ate my homework.) The motivation for
this kind of lying is fear. Abraham lied about Sarah, saying she was his sister
and not his wife, so he would not be killed to make her available for marriage.
Others
will lie to impress. They puff up resumes or exaggerate accomplishments.
Ananias and Sapphira suffered fatal consequences for trying to impress their
church with inflated generosity.
Manipulation
is another reason for lying. Jacob lied to his blind father so he could steal
his brother’s blessing and inheritance.
Jesus
said that “the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45.) If lying
comes easy for you, you need a heart cleanse. “Create in me a clean heart, O
God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10-19
Afterwards, we can follow this teaching, “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices” Colossians 3:9-10
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