The Bible consistently condemns lying as a violation of God's character. Honesty is required of God's people (Ephesians 4:25). Lying is listed among the practices God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19). Satan is called 'the father of lies' (John 8:44); God is 'the God of truth.'
The Bible's teaching on lying is consistent and direct. The Ninth Commandment — 'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour' (Exodus 20:16) — is foundational. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists 'a lying tongue' and 'a false witness that speaketh lies' among the seven things the LORD hates. Proverbs 12:22 — 'Lying lips are abomination to the LORD.' The biblical demand for honesty is grounded in God's own character: God is truth (Numbers 23:19, Hebrews 6:18); Satan is the source of lies (John 8:44). The New Testament intensifies the call. Ephesians 4:25 — 'putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour.' Colossians 3:9 — 'Lie not one to another.' Jesus's teaching takes honesty deeper: Christians' plain 'yes' and 'no' should be reliable enough without oaths (Matthew 5:33-37). Several biblical situations involve deception that complicates the simple rule. Rahab lied to protect Israelite spies (Joshua 2) and was commended for her faith (Hebrews 11:31). The Hebrew midwives lied to protect Israelite babies (Exodus 1:15-21) and 'God dealt well with the midwives.' Most Christian ethics distinguishes lying for self-interest (always wrong) from deception to prevent grave evil (debated but often permitted). The consensus: lying is generally forbidden but may be permitted in extreme cases to protect innocent life. The Bible also addresses related forms of deception: half-truths, flattery (Proverbs 26:28), gossip (Proverbs 16:28), and hypocrisy (Jesus's harshest words were for hypocrites — Matthew 23).
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”
“Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.”
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour.”
“He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth... for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.”
“...and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire.”
Pursue truthful communication in all forms. Refuse outright lies. Avoid half-truths designed to deceive. Refuse to flatter. Refuse to gossip. Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). When you have lied, confess specifically — to God and to the person you deceived.
The Bible consistently condemns lying. However, several biblical heroes deceived to protect innocent life (Rahab, the Hebrew midwives) and were commended for their broader faith. Most Christian ethics distinguishes lying for self-interest (always wrong) from deception to prevent grave evil like the murder of innocents (debated, often permitted). For ordinary life, the answer is yes: lying is sin.
'Bearing false witness' (Exodus 20:16) is specifically lying about another person, particularly in formal or legal contexts. Originally addressed to court testimony, the commandment extends to any deception that damages another's reputation — gossip, slander, false accusation.
Several biblical heroes told lies and were commended for the broader faith their actions expressed. Rahab lied to protect Israelite spies (Joshua 2) and is praised in Hebrews 11:31. The Hebrew midwives lied to Pharaoh to save Israelite babies and 'God dealt well with the midwives' (Exodus 1:20). Most Christian ethics interprets these as permissible deception to prevent grave evil — not endorsements of lying generally.
Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5:33-37 — 'Swear not at all... let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay' — has been variously interpreted. Quakers and Anabaptists refuse legal oaths on principle. Most Christians take court oaths but understand them as solemn affirmations. The deeper point: everyday Christian speech should be reliable enough that no oath is needed.