In June 2017 National Geographic magazine published an article entitled “Why We Lie.” The article notes 22 percent of people lie to cover up a personal transgression. About 16 percent use lying and deception to gain financial benefits or economic advantage. Another 15 percent of lies are told for personal advantage, and about 14 percent are motivated by an attempt to get out of something. Eight percent of lies are told to promote a positive image, with the remainder of lying split up between making people laugh (telling tall tales), trying to hurt people or avoid hurting someone’s feelings, as well as other miscellaneous reasons.
Lying or bearing false witness causes division and separates friends: “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight” (Proverbs 12:22). It is one of the most common sins, destroying trust and relationships. It is also listed as one of the seven abominations which God hates in Proverbs 6:16-19, and Isaiah 59 is a prophecy about the terrible lack of justice and truth-telling in the world.
All human beings are tempted to lie because human nature is fundamentally deceitful. We can be a false witness in two ways—by saying things that are untrue or should not be said, or remaining silent when something needs to be said to bring about justice. Dishonesty is everywhere: in advertising, labeling, business, news, politics, government, religion and in personal relationships. Half-truths are often especially deceptive and damaging, but a half-truth is a half lie.
2 Kings 5:1-27 relates the story of Naaman, who was a soldier in Syria. He suffered from leprosy and went to Elisha, the prophet, for help. Elisha told Naaman to go and dip in the Jordan River seven times, which he did, and he was miraculously cured. He was so grateful he wanted to pay Elisha, but Elisha refused. Elisha’s servant Gehazi thought Elisha should have taken the money, and told Naaman Elisha had changed his mind, and needed money and clothes to help some visitors. Naaman therefore gave Gehazi the clothes and more money than he had asked for. Gehazi then took these gifts and put them in his own house. When Elisha asked Gehazi where he had been he lied, but Elisha knew Gehazi was lying and he became leprous.
Then there is the story of Achan in Joshua 7. When the Israelites left Egypt and were making their way to the promised land, they arrived at the city of Ai, after having had God’s help to conquer Jericho. Ai was a much smaller city and the Israelites thought they would easily conquer the city, but they were defeated. God revealed to Joshua they were defeated because someone was sinning. God identifies Achan as the culprit, who confesses his sin of having secretly taken goods from Ai when he had been forbidden to do so (verses 16-21). This deception resulted in his death and that of his family who must have supported him in his lies.
After the death of Jesus Christ, Ananias and Sapphira were members of the fledgling New Testament Church, who “shared their belongings with one another [and would]…distribute the money…according to what each one needed” (Acts 2:44-45 Good News Translation). Acts 5:1-11 tells us that Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold their property and lied about giving the total sum to the Church. They kept back some of the money for themselves, which would have been no problem since it was theirs, but they had lied, giving the impression they had given all the money to the Church. The Apostle Peter confronted them and they fell down dead, which shows how seriously God regards lying and deception.
Throughout the Bible, lying is condemned as sin. Jesus said “that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it on the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). Revelation 21:8 declares unrepentant liars will share the prophesied fate of eternal destruction in the lake of fire, along with other unrepentant sinners: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
If we lie, we should immediately repent and seek forgiveness. The Apostle Paul instructs us, “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds” (Colossians 3:9). It is encouraging to note that the Greek word often translated “overcomes” in the book of Revelation can also be translated “is victorious.” That means that with the help of God through His Holy Spirit, we can overcome and be victorious in all things, including casting off the damaging and destructive trait of lying.
