Among the seven abominations listed that the LORD hates, “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who speaks lies” are both mentioned (Prov. 6:16-19, NKJV). The children of Israel are instructed in the 10 Commandments not to “bear false witness against your neighbor” (Ex. 20:16). In the New Testament, Christians are told to put “away lying” and “speak truth” (Eph. 4:25). In Colossians 3:9, Paul writes, “Do not lie to one another….” Moreover, we learn in Revelation 21:8 that no liars will be found in heaven. Lying is a serious problem – and we would all be lying if we said we have never told a lie.
This perhaps raises a question in our minds – what is lying? Lying is the act of telling “an intentionally false statement” that may even involve deception “to get oneself into or out of a situation.”[1] To lie is simply to not tell the truth. When looking at the way the word is used in the New Testament, we learn that to lie is “to tell a falsehood,” as well as being “an attempt to deceive.”[2] Generally speaking, a lie is something that one will tell to either receive some benefit or safety for themselves or others.
Over the next couple of weeks, we will continue to examine the subject of lying in our articles. Next week, we will consider why lying is a problem. After that, we will examine whether or not the situation determines whether or not a lie is okay and how we can fight the temptation that may come to lie.
[1] New Oxford American Dictionary,s.v. “lie (n, v).”
[2] BDAG, s.v. “ψεύδομαι,” 1096.
By: Preston McElyea