Lying is something we all face. Whether it's a small white lie or a big one meant to cover our tracks, the question still stands: is lying a sin? According to the Bible, the answer is clear — yes, lying is a sin. But Scripture doesn't stop at just saying it's wrong. It explains why it's wrong, who it hurts, and what truth means to God.
Let’s look at what the Bible says and why truth matters so much to our faith.
Lying Breaks God’s Command
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” — Exodus 20:16 (ESV)
This commandment doesn’t only apply to courtroom situations. It speaks to all lies — slander, gossip, deceit, and false testimony. God calls His people to speak truth and live with honesty. Lying goes against His character.
God Hates a Lying Tongue
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue…” — Proverbs 6:16-17 (ESV)
God doesn't just dislike lies. He hates them. They tear people apart, destroy trust, and lead people away from Him. Lying isn’t harmless — it’s harmful.
The Devil Is the Father of Lies
“When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” — John 8:44 (ESV)
Lies come from the enemy. When we lie, we aren’t following the ways of Christ. We’re copying Satan’s ways. That’s serious. We were made to reflect God’s image — and God never lies.
God Never Lies
“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.” — Numbers 23:19 (ESV)
“In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.” — Titus 1:2 (ESV)
Since God is truth, He wants His children to be truthful too. We are called to reflect His honesty in everything we do.
Lies Hurt Others
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” — Ephesians 4:25 (ESV)
God designed us to live in community. When we lie, we hurt the body of Christ. We hurt our neighbors. Honesty builds strong bonds — lies tear them down.
Truth Brings Freedom
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:32 (ESV)
Truth doesn’t chain us — it frees us. When we lie, we carry the weight of that lie. We try to remember what we said. We try to hide. But truth brings light and peace.
Forgiveness Is Possible
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9 (ESV)
When we confess a lie, God doesn’t push us away. He forgives. He cleanses. He changes our hearts to want truth more than lies.
What About Lying to Protect Someone?
This is where things get tricky. What if lying protects someone from harm — like hiding someone from danger or not telling the full truth to keep someone safe?
Rahab Lied to Save Lives
“But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them… ‘Yes, the men came to me… but I do not know where they went.’” — Joshua 2:4-5 (ESV)
Because of her actions, the spies were saved — and so was Rahab and her family. She’s praised in the New Testament for her faith, not her lie:
- Hebrews 11:31 says Rahab acted by faith.
- James 2:25 says she was justified by her works when she helped the spies.
The Hebrew Midwives Lied to Pharaoh
“The midwives said to Pharaoh, ‘Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women… they give birth before the midwife comes.’ So God dealt well with the midwives…” — Exodus 1:19-20 (ESV)
Again, God didn’t reward the lie itself — but the fear of God that led to protecting life.
Table of Biblical Examples of Lying in Critical Moments
| Situation | Person | Lie Told | Outcome | What God Praised |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protecting spies | Rahab (Joshua 2) | Lied to king of Jericho | Spies escaped safely | Her faith (Hebrews 11:31) |
| Protecting babies | Hebrew midwives | Lied to Pharaoh | Children lived | Their fear of God (Ex. 1) |
| Self-protection | Abraham (Gen. 12) | Said Sarah was his sister | Caused trouble in Egypt | Not praised, but rebuked |
So What Does This Mean?
Lying is always a sin — but in rare, extreme cases where life is at stake, God looks at the heart. The Bible doesn’t give a free pass to lie just because it feels justified. Most lies told "to protect others" are really about:
- Avoiding consequences
- Keeping peace
- Not wanting to feel guilty
But God desires truth in our inward parts.
“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” — Psalm 51:6 (ESV)
Jesus never lied — even when His truth cost Him everything:
“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.” — 1 Peter 2:22 (ESV)
Ask God for Wisdom
When faced with hard choices, the best response is prayer. God promises to give wisdom to those who ask:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God… and it will be given him.” — James 1:5 (ESV)
Final Thoughts
Yes, lying is a sin. It goes against God's character and causes harm. But in extreme cases, like protecting life, the Bible shows us that God shows grace to those who act in faith and fear of Him. Still, God's standard remains: speak the truth.
We are called to reflect Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Let’s aim to walk in truth — with boldness, love, and integrity.
