God Hates A Lying Tongue "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren" (Proverbs 6:16-19). When Solomon penned these words by inspiration, he may have experienced a time as the present, when lying has become as commonplace as the truth. Even the president of the United States, Barack Obama, thought it was appropriate to lie numerous times, concerning whether or not one could keep his healthcare plan if he liked it, when the "Affordable Care Act" was implemented. A lie is "1. A false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; a falsehood. 2. Something intended or serving to convey a false impression; imposture" (Random House Webster's College Dictionary, Pg. 782). In the New Testament, God tells us that "all liars" shall be cast into the "lake of fire" (Revelation 21:8). Why does God hate a lying tongue?
As far as God is concerned, it is futile for any person to lie concerning things he might do. Consider, God knows our thoughts and intents as the writer of Hebrews so clearly wrote, "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13). We might deceive people, at least for a while, but sooner or later even they will understand that we are not telling the truth. Really, it is only ourselves we are trying to fool by lying about things we may have done or said. Not only that, but often a lie begets a lie. Rather than be caught and exposed for the liar we are, we spin new tales to cover our tracks.
During Jesus' personal ministry He denounced the hypocrisy of the Pharisees more severely than even those caught in open adultery (Matthew 6:1-5; Matthew 23:1-39; John 8:1-9). Lying is hypocrisy with a capital "H." Liars are simply pretending to be something they are not! Many will lie in order to build up their image to others. People will lie in order to cover up something that they have done or said that is wrong. The genuine Christian will make every effort to keep his own integrity intact. To the Christian, the apostle John wrote, "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). If a Christian wrongs another person, he is obligated to go to that one and not only confess his sin to the other but make right whatever it was that he did (James 5:16).
Finally, God hates a lying tongue since it will cause the condemnation of that person, and make of none affect the sacrifice of Christ! The apostle John wrote, "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" (Revelation 21:8, emphasis mine, ER). God does not want anyone to be lost, but those who are liars and refuse to repent and become Christians will be. He sent Jesus to die for everyone's sins, but if one stubbornly refuses to obey the gospel that one will be eternally lost! God hates a lying tongue, because it will make the sacrifice and the blood of Jesus of no value to those who possess it!
Ed Rodgers, Forney, TX
