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Is Lying Ever Justified In the Bible?

The Definition and Forms of Lying in Scripture

Lying, as described in the Bible, is fundamentally the opposite of truth. It is the act of intentionally deceiving someone who is entitled to know the truth. This deception may take the form of spoken words or actions, where an individual deliberately conveys falsehoods. In the Hebrew Scriptures, several terms convey the concept of lying. The verb ka·zavʹ is used to express the act of speaking falsely, while sha·qarʹ refers to dealing falsely or acting in a deceptive manner (Proverbs 14:5; Leviticus 19:11). Furthermore, the noun form of sha·qarʹ can mean falsehood or deception, illustrating that the term encompasses various aspects of dishonesty. Another term, shawʼ, refers to something worthless or false (Deuteronomy 5:20; Psalm 12:2). In the Greek Scriptures, the word pseuʹdos and its related terms describe lying and falsehood.

Lying can be expressed both verbally and through actions, and it is a reflection of a person's intent to deceive. One may live a lie, presenting themselves falsely in word or deed, masking their true intentions or character. This concept is clearly seen in the way the Bible condemns hypocrisy and deceit. For example, Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day for their hypocrisy, calling them "whitewashed tombs" who outwardly appeared righteous but were filled with corruption within (Matthew 23:27).

The Bible is explicit in its condemnation of lying, identifying it as an act that disrupts trust and truth, both of which are fundamental to righteous living and a relationship with God. Jehovah, as the source of truth, cannot lie (Numbers 23:19), and His followers are commanded to embody truth in all their dealings (Colossians 3:9-10). Lying is rooted in selfishness and wrong desires, often motivated by a desire to escape punishment, gain advantage over others, or secure praise and approval from people rather than God. These sinful motivations are directly opposed to the truthfulness and transparency that Jehovah expects from His people.

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Satan as the Father of Lies

The origin of lying is traced directly to Satan, whom Jesus identified as “the father of the lie” (John 8:44). The first recorded lie in the Bible is the one Satan told Eve in the Garden of Eden. Using a serpent as his mouthpiece, Satan deceived Eve by questioning God's command and presenting a false promise: “You will not certainly die” (Genesis 3:4). This lie was aimed at undermining Jehovah's authority and luring Adam and Eve into disobedience. The consequences were severe, bringing sin and death into the world (Genesis 3:16-19; Romans 5:12).

Satan's lie in Eden reveals several aspects of lying. First, it was rooted in selfish ambition. Satan's goal was to divert human loyalty and obedience away from God and towards himself. Second, his lie was designed to exploit human desires—specifically, Eve's desire for wisdom and independence from God's rule (Genesis 3:6). Third, this lie led to catastrophic consequences for humanity, as it broke the perfect relationship between God and humans and introduced sin and death into the world.

All lies since that time reflect the selfishness and wrong desires exemplified by Satan's deception. People lie to gain or maintain material rewards, social status, or the praise of others. Yet Scripture teaches that these rewards are fleeting, and the consequences of lying ultimately lead to destruction. Proverbs 19:5 warns, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free." Lying, particularly malicious falsehoods, destroys trust, disrupts relationships, and endangers one's spiritual standing before Jehovah.

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Religious Lies: The Gravest Form of Deception

Among the most serious forms of lying in Scripture are religious lies, which have the potential to lead individuals away from Jehovah and endanger their eternal life. Jesus condemned the religious leaders of His day—the scribes and Pharisees—for their hypocrisy and false teachings. He declared: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are" (Matthew 23:15). The religious leaders of Israel not only lied about their own righteousness but also taught falsehoods that led others astray.

Religious lies are especially dangerous because they distort the truth about God and His purpose. The Apostle Paul warned about those who would exchange the truth of God for a lie, leading to idolatry and immoral behavior (Romans 1:25-32). Such lies cause people to practice what is degrading and vile in the eyes of Jehovah. In the New Testament, we see that the leaders of the Jewish nation conspired to have Jesus put to death based on false accusations (Matthew 26:59). After His resurrection, they continued to spread lies, bribing the soldiers who had guarded His tomb to claim that His body had been stolen (Matthew 28:11-15).

The danger of religious lies persists in modern times, where false doctrines and teachings lead people away from the truth of God’s Word. Scripture makes it clear that false prophets and teachers will come, presenting themselves as messengers of righteousness but spreading falsehoods (2 Peter 2:1-3). Jehovah warns His people to be on guard against such deception, always testing teachings against the inspired Word of God.

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Jehovah’s Hatred of Lying and the Consequences for Liars

Jehovah’s hatred of lying is unequivocal. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists six things Jehovah hates, and one of them is "a lying tongue." Lying is so abhorrent to God because it is a fundamental violation of truth, which is central to His nature (John 14:6). Jehovah’s laws to Israel reflected His righteous standards concerning truthfulness and integrity. For example, the Mosaic Law required that any false testimony be punished by imposing upon the liar the same penalty he intended for his victim (Deuteronomy 19:15-21). Jehovah’s justice demanded that lies be exposed and punished to maintain righteousness within the community.

Moreover, Jehovah’s eternal standards remain unchanged under the new covenant. Those who practice lying cannot gain His approval. The Apostle Paul urged Christians to “put away falsehood” and “speak truth each one with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). The seriousness of lying is further emphasized in Revelation 21:8, where liars are included among those who will face eternal destruction: "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters, and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

Yet, while Scripture firmly condemns lying, it also offers hope for those who repent. Peter’s denial of Jesus is a prime example of this. Peter, in a moment of fear, lied three times by denying that he knew Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75). However, Peter’s genuine repentance and subsequent restoration by Jesus demonstrate that forgiveness is available for those who turn away from their falsehoods and seek reconciliation with God (John 21:15-19). Jehovah is merciful to those who are truly repentant and seek to align themselves with His truth.

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Exceptions to Full Disclosure: When the Truth May Be Withheld

While malicious lying is always condemned in Scripture, the Bible does not obligate individuals to divulge the truth to those who are not entitled to it, especially when doing so would cause unnecessary harm or lead to evil consequences. This principle is illustrated in several biblical accounts. For example, when Jesus was confronted by religious leaders seeking to trap Him with their questions, He did not always give direct answers. In one instance, when they questioned His authority, Jesus responded by asking them a question about the baptism of John, thereby avoiding their trap (Matthew 21:23-27).

In the same way, Jesus counseled His followers to exercise wisdom in dealing with those who might harm them. He instructed, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, neither throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces” (Matthew 7:6). This principle allows for the withholding of truth from those who would misuse it or who are unworthy of receiving it.

Several Old Testament figures acted in a similar manner. Abraham, Isaac, Rahab, and Elisha each withheld full facts or misdirected others to protect Jehovah’s purposes or the lives of His people (Genesis 12:10-19; 26:1-10; Joshua 2:1-6; James 2:25; 2 Kings 6:11-23). While some might view these actions as deceitful, they were carried out in contexts where giving full disclosure would have resulted in greater harm or in opposition to God’s will. Jehovah did not condemn these actions because they aligned with His overall purpose of protecting His people and accomplishing His will.

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The Role of Divine Judgment on Liars

The Bible also illustrates that Jehovah allows those who prefer falsehood to be led further into deception as a form of divine judgment. In 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, Paul describes how Jehovah permits “an operation of error” to mislead those who refuse to accept the truth: "They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie." This is not an act of injustice on God’s part but a reflection of His respect for human free will. Those who reject the truth of God’s Word and prefer falsehood are allowed to persist in their deception, ultimately leading to their condemnation.

This principle is illustrated in the account of King Ahab in 1 Kings 22:1-38. When Ahab sought counsel from false prophets about going to war against Ramoth-gilead, these prophets assured him of victory, though Jehovah’s true prophet Micaiah foretold disaster. Ahab chose to believe the false prophets, and in a vision, Micaiah revealed that Jehovah had allowed a spirit to become a deceptive influence on the false prophets. Ahab, despite being forewarned, preferred to believe the lie and ultimately lost his life in battle. This account shows that those who reject the truth and embrace falsehood do so at their own peril.

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Lying and the Final Judgment

Lying, whether in word or deed, has severe spiritual consequences, especially in relation to Jehovah’s judgment. The Bible warns that liars will face divine justice in the final judgment. Revelation 22:15 describes the exclusion of liars from the new heavens and new earth: "Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." This solemn warning reminds us that truthfulness is not merely a moral issue but a matter of eternal significance. Jehovah’s people are called to walk in truth, for only the truthful will be welcomed into the eternal kingdom.

This ultimate judgment underscores the importance of truth in the life of a believer. Those who persist in lying are aligned with Satan, the father of lies, and are at risk of sharing in his final condemnation. However, for those who repent, seek Jehovah’s mercy, and commit to living in truth, there is the promise of forgiveness and restoration.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).