Types Of Lies According To Colors
Many people are familiar with the phrase “a little white lie.” There are also black and blue lies.
A white lie is known as a minor untruth that is harmless most of the time. For example, it is the type of lie that is told to keep from hurting someone’s feelings. If a woman asks a friend if she looks good in a pair of jeans, the friend might say that she looks nice even though the friend looks horrible in them. To spare the woman’s feelings, her friend told “a white lie.”
A black lie is just the opposite of a white lie. The liar benefits by hurting someone with a lie.
A blue lie consists of a mixture of a white lie and a black lie. A blue lie results in sparing one person from hurt with a white lie and damaging another with a black lie.
Bible Verses About Lying In Mark
Now Simons mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever and they immediately spoke to Jesus about her. Mark 1:30
And when they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him and after digging an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man was lying. Mark 2:4
And after going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Mark 7:30
Why Is Lying A Problem
Lying is harmful to ourselves and to the people we are in relationships with. Lying itself is an act of betrayal, and it violates the trust your friend, partner, or family member is trying to build with you. When people uncover lies, depending on how damaging the lies are, some relationships are ruined beyond repair. The risk is not worth losing such a valuable connection. Lying also goes more complicated the longer someone lies. When people lie, they have to tell more and more lies to cover up the truth, which gets more and more stressful and emotionally draining. Because lies hide a part of our ourselves and our feelings, it also becomes more and more difficult for people who lie to know how they truly feel. Telling the truth is challenging, but it also frees us from the burden of dishonesty, and makes our friendships and relationships more trusting and stable. If you have lied to someone you care about, apologize, ask for forgiveness, and let them know how much you want to change this behavior. If you struggle with lying and are unsure how to stop, you can talk to a counselor or mentor about breaking the cycle. If lying has hurt you, a mentor can help you find ways to rebuild trust in your relationships.
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Why Lying Comes Naturally
Lying is the go-to strategy for broken people. Most of us lie to protect other people’s feelings, but many people tell lies to exaggerate their achievements or hide their mistakes. Lies cover other sins, like adultery or stealing, and eventually, a person’s entire life becomes a lie.
Lies are impossible to keep up. Eventually, others find out, causing humiliation and loss:
“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.”
Despite the sinfulness of our society, people still hate a phony. We expect better from our leaders, from corporations, and from our friends. Ironically, lying is one area in which our culture agrees with God’s standards.
The Ninth Commandment, like all the other commandments, was given not to restrict us but to keep us out of trouble of our own making. The old saying that “honesty is the best policy” is not found in the Bible, but it agrees with God’s desire for us.
With nearly 100 warnings about honesty throughout the Bible, the message is clear. God loves the truth and hates lying.
What The Bible Says About Lying
The Bible makes it clear that lying is sin. Below are a couple of verses that reflect Gods attitude towards lying.
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,But those who deal faithfully are His delight. Proverbs 12:22
The one who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much and the one who is unrighteous in a very little thing is also unrighteous in much. Luke 16:10
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What Does The Bible Say About Liars
The Bible uses strong language around God’s stance on lying. Proverbs 6:16-19 says, “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.” A lying tongue is something that God hates! There is little wiggle room to debate how God feels about lying with language that is so black and white.
God’s Word goes even further to emphasize how lying is something that God is against. Psalm 101:7 says, “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.” Deceit keeps us from being a part of God’s house. Honest living is central to being part of God’s eternal family.
Ultimately truth is so important because God cares most about the state of our hearts. If we are willing to deceive for our gain, then there is a problem with our hearts. Matthew 15:18-20 says, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” God wants to set us free from the evil that keeps us chained up so we can live free lives.
God Will Forgive You For Lying
It is never too late to ask God for forgives for the sins you have committed. 1 John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God never lied in the Bible He only wrote down the truth. So, we can trust Him to fully accept us, even as sinners, and give us the gift of redemption . To really be forgiven, we must come to God with an open heart that has guilt for the sins we committed. God can see inside our hearts and knows when we are not full of repentance.
Lying, both big and small, is a sin before God. He calls for us to turn to Him for forgiveness, speak the truth, and walk in His truth. Only then can we fully live our lives out for Him and give glory to God in Heaven.
Megan Bailey is the Social Media Specialist and Content Producer for Beliefnet. She attended James Madison University where she received a degree in psychology.
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What Does The Bible Say About Lying
Sometimes its easier to tell a lie than face a problem openly and honestly. We might hurt someones feelings if we tell the truth. But those who practice deceit are placing themselves in a dangerous alliance with the devil , whom the Scripture calls the father of lies.
The Bible is straightforward about lying, deception, and falsehoodGod hates them. His character is truth, and as the essence of truth, God takes pleasure in honesty. Truthfulness is a mark of the Lords followers.
Habitual lying is evidence of underlying spiritual problems such as rebellion, pride, and lack of integrity. Lying will destroy a Christians testimony and witness to the world. If we want to please the Lord, we will make it our aim to tell the truth.
God Instructs Us Not To Lie
It is abundantly clear in the Bible that lies are a sin against God. Even in the 10 Commandments we are told to not lie . Proverbs 6:16-19 reiterates this, saying For there are six things the Lord hatesno, seven: haughtiness, lying, murdering, plotting evil, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, sowing discord among brothers. Lying can turn us into wicked men, because we are not signaling our true intentions to our friends . Furthermore, God believes those who lie hate their victims .
Lying was a recognized sin right from the beginning of time. This was made evident in the condemnation of the serpent’s lie in the Garden of Eden and God’s judgment upon him. When Abraham lied about Sarah being his sister instead of his wife, he almost lost her as a result. Instead, God intervened and rescued them from this situation, though it was clearly seen as wrong .
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Understanding Gods Hope And Help For Lying
Lying is a temptation like many others we struggle with. Sometimes it seems easier to lie our way out of a situation than admit the truth. But rarely does lying have positive results. It often leads to hurt, mistrust, and an endless cycle of more lies.
It doesnt have to be this way. God in his wisdom, saw the dangers of lying and the way it would hurt both the liar and the person being lied to. He wanted something better for us.
In these Bible verses below God warns us about lying and encourages trustworthiness. If we are caught in a web of lies, God offers forgiveness and help for a way out.
Bible Verses About The Consequences Of Lying
Lying has consequences. Below are a couple of verses that give a glimpse of these consequences.
A false witness will not go unpunished,And one who declares lies will perish. Proverbs 19:9
For nothing is concealed that will not become evident, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. Luke 8:17
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Bible Verses About Lying In John
Jesus, upon seeing this man lying there and knowing that he had already been in that condition for a long time, said to him, Do you want to get well? John 5:6
So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. John 11:38
lying back on Jesus chest was one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. John 13:23
and he stooped to look in, and saw the linen wrappings lying there however he did not go in. -John 20:5
So Simon Peter also came, following him, and he entered the tomb and he looked at the linen wrappings lying there, John 20:6
and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings but folded up in a place by itself. John 20:7
and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. John 20:12
Bible Verses About Lying In Psalms
Let the lying lips be speechless, Which speak arrogantly against the righteous With pride and contempt. Psalm 31:18
For they have opened a wicked and deceitful mouth against me They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. Psalm 109:2
Rescue my soul, Lord, from lying lips, From a deceitful tongue. Psalm 120:2
You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:3
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Satan Is The Father Of Lies
Lying is not only a sin from God but is a direct act of the devil. John 8:44 says, “For you are the children of your father the devil and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and a hater of truth there is not an iota of truth in him. When he lies, it is perfectly normal for he is the father of liars.” Lying is the work of the devil, and he will encourage us and tempt us to spit out false truths to tear us away from our Creator. We must put defenses up so that we cannot hear the whispers of Satan in our ear, and that starts with dedicating our lives to the truth.
Bible Verses About Lying In Isaiah
His watchmen are blind, All of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber Isaiah 56:10
Offending and denying the Lord, And turning away from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering lying words from the heart. Isaiah 59:13
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Consequences Of Lying In The Bible
While God offers his abundant grace and forgiveness for all of our missteps, that does not mean that there are no consequences for our actions.
Proverbs 19:5 says, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.” Lying comes with consequences. The most natural and obvious one is that it breaks trust with those we are in a relationship with. It is hard and often heartbreaking work when we have to repair the bridges that get burned when we choose to deceive the people around us.
None of the brokenness we all have to work through in our lives is too great for God to repair. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If you have struggled with telling the truth or are navigating a situation where trust has been broken, we have the hope of God’s miraculous restorative power to lean on.
God is faithful to make a straight path for us when we trust in him . Surrender your thinking, relationships, and worldview to him. Allow him to bring freedom from deceit through the gentle power of the Holy Spirit at work in your life.
First Family First Liars
According to the book of Genesis, lying started with Adam and Eve. After having eaten the forbidden fruit, Adam hid from God:
He answered, I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked so I hid.
No, Adam knew he had disobeyed God and hid because he was afraid of punishment. Then Adam blamed Eve for giving him the fruit, while Eve blamed the serpent for deceiving her.
Lying caught on with their children. God asked Cain where his brother Abel was.
I dont know, he replied. Am I my brothers keeper?
That was a lie. Cain knew exactly where Abel was because he had just murdered him. From there, lying became one of the most popular items in humanity’s catalog of sins.
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When Lying Is Acceptable
The Bible implies that on rare occasions lying is acceptable. In the second chapter of Joshua, the Israelite army was ready to attack the fortified city of Jericho. Joshua sent two spies in, who stayed at the house of Rahab, a prostitute. When the king of Jericho sent soldiers to her house to arrest them, she hid the spies on the roof under piles of flax, a plant used to make linen.
Questioned by the soldiers, Rahab said the spies had come and gone. She lied to the king’s men, telling them if they left quickly, they might catch the Israelites.
In 1 Samuel 22, David fled from King Saul, who was trying to kill him. He entered the Philistine city of Gath. Afraid of the enemy king Achish, David pretended he was insane. The ruse was a lie.
In both instances, Rahab and David lied to the enemy in time of war. God had anointed the causes of both Joshua and David. Lies told to the enemy during a war are acceptable in God’s eyes.
God Tells Us Not To Lie
Exodus 20:16 You must not lie.
Proverbs 6:12-13 Let me describe for you a worthless and a wicked man first, he is a constant liar he signals his true intentions to his friends with eyes and feet and fingers.
Proverbs 6:16-19 For there are six things the Lord hatesno, seven: haughtiness, lying, murdering, plotting evil, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, sowing discord among brothers.
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How Do You Deal With Someone Who Lies To You
Dealing with people who are struggling to be honest is hard. Trust is the foundation of a healthy relationship, and once that is broken, it takes a lot of effort to rebuild it. The Bible helps us navigate these difficult circumstances.
Romans 12:17-21 says, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him if he is thirsty, give him something to drink for by doing so you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
We can only be held responsible for our own actions. As much as it relies on us, we are to live in peace with all. That can mean offering forgiveness, but it can also mean knowing when to place healthy boundaries if we face unhealthy relationships. We have to do what we can to overcome evil with good. That does not mean we have to constantly open every part of our lives.
1 Corinthians 13, known as the “love passage,” teaches us what love should look like. It tells us that real love protects. This means we have to draw lines around our spouses, children, close friends, and so on that keep them safe and protected. We do what we can to live in peace, but we are also called to love by protecting our people.