LYING LIPS ARE AN ABOMINATION TO THE LORD – Proverbs 12:22

Proverbs 12:22 says that lying lips are an abomination to God – “Lying” means telling a deliberate or intentional falsehood.

What does the Bible say about lying? A lying tongue is not only something God hates, it is also something that is an abomination to Him. Proverbs 6:16-19 says: “These six things the LORD hates”, (the previous six things the Lord hates and the following) “seven are an abomination to Him:

1. A proud look,
2. A lying tongue,
3. Hands that shed innocent blood,
4. A heart that devises wicked plans,
5. Feet that are swift in running to evil,
6. A false witness who speaks lies,
7. And one who sows discord among brethren.”

What constitutes a lie according to the Bible? Anything that is not the truth is a lie in God’s Word.

As believers, we must not tell lies. Christians must not exaggerate or embellish their speech, which is a form of lying. Another way is what some people call “white lies” which they tell not to hurt someone; this does not change it being a lie. Often, one must pray and ask for wisdom, carefully selecting ones words as the Holy Spirit guides us, but one must not lie.

There are many other forms of lying. For example, hypocrisy is a form of lying. 1 John 2:4 teaches that: “He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

Another form of lying is making false promises that we could keep, but simply choose not to. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that He should lie … has He said, and will He not do it? Does he promise and not fulfill?” The implication is that, when a person makes a promise he could keep but refuses to do so, he has lied. God does not do this, but people often do.  

Then there is the half-truth, in which a person tells things that are technically correct but deliberately leaves out important facts or tells the story in such a way that leads people to reach a false conclusion. In the Old Testament, for example, Joseph’s brothers sold him to be a slave. Then they took his coat, dipped it in animal blood, took it to their father Jacob, and said that they had found this coat. Jacob, of course, concluded that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal, which is exactly what the sons wanted Jacob to believe, though they never came right out and said so (Genesis 37:31-33). Nevertheless, they had deliberately deceived their father to believe a falsehood.

Lying and deceit are not reconcilable with righteousness. If a person is honest and trustworthy, then they do not lie or deceive. Being honest and dependable is an integral part of being righteous. Proverbs 13:5-6 says:  “A righteous man hates lying, but a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame. Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.”

Revelation 21:8 says that “all liars“ will have their part in the lake of fire, which is the second death.

As Christians our behavior should represent and manifest the character of God’s Truth. Matthew 5:37 says: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” 

Ephesians 4:15 tells us that we should “speak the truth in love” and a little further in verse 25 we read: “Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth…”

So if we are God’s children, the truth ought to be evident in everything we do. We must remember that the opposite of truth is lying and the devil is called “the father of lies” – John 8:44. When we lie, we are aligning ourselves with the evil one instead of God.

As believers we should refrain from speaking lies and should ask God to convict us through the Holy Spirit when we do, so that we can immediately repent. If we love the Lord we can be victorious!