Lying is the opposite of telling the truth. How do we know lying is a sin? We know it is a sin because the Bible says so.

In Revelation 21:8, the apostle John tells us of the kind of people who will be in Hell. He says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The apostle Paul also listed lying among other sins: “For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;” (1 Timothy 1:10).

Jesus told the Pharisees: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44).

It was the devil who deceived Eve and tempted her to eat of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1-13; 1 Timothy 2:14). It is the devil who tempts us to sin, just as he tempted the Lord (Matthew 4:1 -11; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

When one becomes a Christian, he puts off “the old man” and puts on “the new man” (Colossians 3:1-17).

Part of putting off the “old man” means to stop lying.

Paul commanded: “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” (Colossians 3:9).

He also wrote; “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25).

In some countries, parents begin teaching their children to lie while they are still very young. They are taught they must lie in order to be successful in life.

We teach our children to lie when we do not tell the whole truth.

If we want our children to be honest, then we must teach them to tell the truth (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6).

The devil does not want people to obey the Gospel. He wants them to believe a lie and be lost. There are many people who believe the devil’s lies and will, therefore, be lost. Paul wrote: “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

What are some of the lies the devil tells?

One of the lies is that everybody will be saved. But the Bible teaches that most people will choose the way which leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14; 21-23).

Another lie of the devil is that one does not need to be baptized in order to be saved. But Jesus plainly said: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Please read also Acts 22:16 and 1 Peter 3:21.

Still another lie of the devil is that one church is as good as another. But there is only one that Jesus built and purchased with His blood (Matthew 16:18 and Acts 20:28).

When the Bible tells of some who would fall away, it says they will be “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron
(1 Timothy 4:2).

A Christian tells the truth! He does not tell lies! He tries to help people learn and understand the truth so they can be saved from error.

Let us all make up our minds to tell the truth and to teach others to do the same.

Jesus said: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

He also said the word of God is truth: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).

Reading and obeying the word of God will allow us to learn truth and be set free from sin.