What DOES the Bible Say About

Lying and Deceiving?

First, the Bible warns God hates lying …

“These six things
the Lord hates – yes, seven …
– A proud look (arrogance, selfishness, conceit)
– A lying tongue 
– Hands that shed innocent blood
– A heart that devises sinful plans
– Eagerness and willingness to do wrong
– A false witness speaking lies
– One who sows discord among brethren
(Proverbs 6:16)

Lying and Deceiving “In the Last Days”

Bible Prophecy warns that “in the last days” (around the time of the coming Apocalypse) a generation of “evil men” (and women) would rise. We are told that lying, deceiving, and being deceived will characterize that generation (and its leaders) who will lead the world into the darkness and terrors of Armageddon.

To help clarify terminologies, it should be noted that ‘lying’ and ‘deceiving’ are actually a little different. Deceiving is considered even worse than lying because deceiving (deception) mixes some truth in with the lie, which makes it much more difficult to discern the lie.

The Bible is very adamant about us knowing this prophecy …

“But KNOW this,
that in the last days
perilous times will come . . .
Evil men and impostors  (Men = Mankind … both men and women)
will grow worse and worse,
DECEIVING (lying) and being deceived.”
(2 Timothy 3:1, 13)

The Scriptures tell us a number of times God cannot lie, and that He hates all lies.

God says truth is non-negotiable and is fundamental to His Law. In fact, the Bible tells us at least five times it is “impossible” for God to lie.

In the past, liars and perjurers were held accountable and dealt with harshly and severely. Today we see lying casually accepted in the news, in the movies, and on television. Lying is now being presented as funny and harmless. This generation is unique in its reaction to liars and perjurers. This nation even lifted up a recent President whose most notable characteristic was revealed by flagrantly staring into a TV camera and wagging his finger while blatantly lying to the whole nation. Even though later convicted for criminal perjury he is still a very popular leader.

Many in this generation today mock our nation’s Rules of Law.  Many now also mock God’s Law.  As noted, telling the truth is fundamental to God’s Law. In the Bible we find when a nation and its leaders defiantly mock, ignore, and turn their backs on God’s Law, the future of that nation and people is always very, very grim …

Stark Warnings …

“Knowing this:
that the Law is not made for a righteous person,
but for the Lawless and insubordinate,
for the ungodly and for sinners,
for the unholy and profane,
for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers,
for manslayers,
for sexually immoral (fornicators),
for homosexuals (sodomites),
for kidnappers,
for LIARS,
for perjurers,
and if there is any other thing
that is contrary to sound doctrine.”
(1 Timothy 1:8-10)

“But the cowardly,
unbelieving,
abominable,
murders,
sexually immoral,
sorcerers (“pharmakeus”… includes both occult and drugs)
idolaters,
AND ALL LIARS
shall have their part
in the lake which burns
with fire and brimstone,
which is the second death.” (Hell)
(Revelation 21:8)

Please remember, the Bible clearly says God is a forgiving God who will forgive any and all who have sinned against Him. The Bible tells us we are all sinners who can be lovingly and completely forgiven.  So, no matter how bad or how many our sins might be, they were ALL lovingly “paid for” on the Cross.  We just need to believe, trust, receive it, and then turn away from our sins and turn back to God whose ways are good, and whose rules (and commandments) are given for our protection.