God’s Wisdom on Truth and Lies

Text: Proverbs

“Truthful lips will be established forever, but a lying

tongue is only for a moment.” (Proverbs 12:19)

LYING IS “willfully misrepresenting the truth”

LYING is COMMUNICATION with the

INTENT TO DECEIVE

By the falsification of the facts – NOT simply a

factual error that could be a simple mistake

By the exaggeration or distortion of the truth - a distortion or exaggeration can be a lie if the

intent is to manipulate the listeners perception

of events or shape their perception of the

speaker. Nearly all of our exaggerations tend

to promote the speaker or their actions in a

more favorable light. Likewise, an exaggeration

can be manipulative in trying to distort the facts

and make others look worse.

By presenting a partial truth -- Again, they

haven’t said anything untrue but they put spin

on the facts with partial truth, or emphasis on

certain truths, to willfully have the hearer get

an inaccurate understanding of the circumstances.

NOT simply an inaccurate account which could

be an errant recollection without the intent to

deceive.

WHAT God Hates and WHY He hates Lying

What He hates (Prov 6:16-19)

"A lying tongue,” “A false witness who utters lies”

Why God hates dishonesty:

It is contrary to His nature – (Ex. 34:6) “The Lord, Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to

anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.”

It is contrary to His person -- (John 14:6) “I am the

way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to

the Father but through Me.”

It is contrary to His character -- (Psalm 31:5) “You

have ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth.” and

(Is. 65:16) “Because he who is blessed in the earth

will be blessed by the God of truth; and he who

swears in the earth will swear by the God of truth”

It is contrary to His purpose -- (John 8:31-32)

“Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed

Him “If you continue in My word, then you are

truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the

truth, and the truth will make you free.”

-

The foolishness of lying

It is disobedience to God’s commands - (Lev. 19:11)

“You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one

another.”

It is destructive to others -- (Pr. 25:18; 26:18-19, 28)

“Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man

who bears false witness against his neighbor.” “Like

a madman who throws firebrands, arrows and death,

so is the man who deceives his neighbor.” “A lying

tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth

works ruin.”

It is unprofitable for you -- (Pr. 20:17; 21:6; 19:5,9)

“Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, but

afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.” “The

acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting

vapor, the pursuit of death.” “A false witness will not

go unpunished, and he who tells lies will not escape.”

“A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will perish.”

Further Wisdom:

Proverbs 12:22 “Lying lips are an abomination to the

Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.”

Proverbs 19:22 “And it is better to be a poor man than

a liar.”

“He who is FAITHFUL in a very little thing is FAITHFUL

also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little

thing is unrighteous also in much.” Luke 16:10

“But I tell you that every careless word that people

speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day

of judgment. Matthew 12:36

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The Gospel Invitation:

“Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life;

no one comes to the Father but through Me.” ( Jn 14:6)

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31-32)