Biblical teaching on honesty, deception, and the importance of truthfulness in God's eyes
The Bible is clear that God detests lying. Proverbs 12:22 states "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight." Colossians 3:9 commands believers to "not lie to one another" since they have put off the old self. Scripture consistently teaches that Satan is the father of lies, while God is truth itself.
The most important Scriptures addressing lying, deception, and God's view of honesty.
"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight."
— Proverbs 12:22 (ESV)
"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
— Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV)
"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers."
— Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV)
"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
— John 8:44 (ESV)
Understanding why truthfulness matters by looking at God's nature and character.
"God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"
— Numbers 23:19 (ESV)
"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.""
— John 14:6 (ESV)
"In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began."
— Titus 1:2 (ESV)
Practical biblical guidance for developing a lifestyle of truthfulness.
"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."
— Ephesians 4:25 (ESV)
"O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart."
— Psalm 15:1-2 (ESV)
"These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace."
— Zechariah 8:16 (ESV)
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