Lying in

the Bible

Does God Approve of Lying?

Does God approve of lying?

Abraham Twice with the same lie - “She is my sister” Sarah joined him - “He is my brother” God had to rescue them from the trouble this lie

caused BUT – God blessed Abraham Made him the father of a great nation – Israel Called him the father of the faithful

Does God approve of lying?

Called him the father of those who believe

Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,

Does God approve of lying?

Midwives at time of Moses Ordered by the king to kill male babies

Exodus 1:17-19 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. 18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?" 19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them."

Does God approve of lying?

Rahab hid the spies Joshua 2:4-6 4 Then the woman took the two

men and hid them. So she said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them." 6 (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.)

One Response

The question assumes that God approved the lies because there is no mention of punishment or any verbal correction for them.

What about others? Noah got drunk Lot had sex with his daughters Jacob went to a prostitute (Tamar) Old prophet lied to young prophet Peter denied Christ

Another Response

The question ignores how God blesses us. God blesses each of us:

NOT because we are righteous and perfect BUT in spite of our weakness and sin God blesses us anyway! God blessed Israel – in idolatry God blessed Solomon – married foreign wives

A Third Response

The question ignores how God loves us.

God loves us: NOT – because of (how good and righteous we are) NOT – in order to get (what we have to offer) BUT – in spite of (our weakness, sin)

A Third Response

The question ignores how God loves us.

Just remember this: You are no bargain to live with, either.

I have a flaw or two of my own!

BUT – You are loved by family, this church, and God.

Ways we lie

Silence – Esther 4:14

Not tell WHOLE truth – Abraham

Implication – boy with lemonade stand

Give assumptions as facts – Genesis 37

Why do we lie?

To build up our own image

To cover up embarrassing things

To hide our guilt

Just to impress others

Lying is a sin Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving,

abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

Revelation 22:14-15 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Ephesians 4:25

Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.