What Does the Bible Say About Lying — Meaning Explained

God's nature is truth, and lying is fundamentally opposed to His character. 'God is not a man, that he should lie' (Numbers 23:19). Proverbs 6:16-19 lists 'a lying tongue' and 'a false witness that speaketh lies' among the seven things God hates. The ninth commandment prohibits bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16). Jesus called Satan 'a liar, and the father of it' (John 8:44), making lying a reflection of Satan's character rather than God's. Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11). Colossians 3:9 commands, 'Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.' Revelation 21:8 places liars in the lake of fire. In contrast, Jesus declared Himself 'the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14:6). Believers are to speak 'the truth in love' (Ephesians 4:15). Integrity — letting your 'yea be yea; and your nay, nay' (James 5:12) — reflects the character of God.