Gateway To Jesus Ministries Presents

The Bible Says!

What Does The Bible Really Say About Lying And White Lies?

white lies

Does the Bible really say All Lies are Wrong?
Are "White Lies" permitted for good Reasons?

Which of these are actual LIES that violate the 9th commandment and which are White Lies that are allowed by God?

When it really didn't: "My phone died."
When you really don't: "Of course I remember you!"
When it's really doesn't: "Your new haircut looks amazing."
When you just don't have the time: "I have read the terms and conditions."
When your child asks if they are: "Yes, you are the best player on the team."
When it really isn't: "This is the best gift you've ever given me!"
When you just want a day off: "I can't come in today, I'm sick."
When your son asks if he is real: "Of course Santa is real. He's coming tonight!"
When it's really not: "It was nice to meet you."
When it was full price: "It was on sale."
When you actually never intend to: "I'll call you later."
When you don't want to eat it: "I'm allergic to it."
When it's actually not: "You have such a lovely home!"
When your daughter asks about her: "Yes dear, the Tooth Fairy is real."
When you don't want a speeding ticket: "No, officer, I have no idea how fast I was going."
When you never intend to call: "Let's keep in touch."
When you really are not OK: "I'm fine."
When they really don't: "You look skinny in that dress."
When you actually are not: "I'm listening."
When your 7 year old child asks if you are: "No I'm not him. The Easter Bunny is real"
When you just don't want to do it: "I'm busy that day."
When it is really bad: "Don't worry, it's okay."
When you are serious: "I'm Just kidding!"
When you actually did: "I didn't do it."
When it really was: "It wasn't that expensive."
When you don't want to talk to them on the phone: "I'm having trouble hearing you."

It's a trick question. ALL of them are lies condemned by the 9th commandment as sin according to what the Bible actually says about lying! What? That can't be right. Most of these are minor social deceptions meant for good purposes, to avoid problems, protect self-esteem, and showing kindness to others. That can't be sin. Well, let's look at this and see if the Bible really says there are White Lie exceptions allowed by God.

Think for a moment the last time you heard a sermon in your church about lying. It's probably been awhile because most ministers, priests, and preachers have a hard time teaching what the Bible says about lies and deceptions. They know every member of their congregation commits sin on a daily basis by breaking the 9th commandment for good purposes, to avoid problems, protect others self-esteem, and showing kindness to others. They look at a list of lies like the one above and realize if they preach against these lies they will upset many in their congregation. That affects the tithes and offering these members usually give. Rather than lose cash in the basket on Sunday morning, they either don't preach what the Bible really says about lying at all, or they preach a watered down, easy to hear, generic version that won't offend anyone. You will never hear them mention any of the lies on the list above!

So, if we can't depend on our churches to teach the truth about what the Bible really says about lies and deception we need to look at the Bible itself and see what God says about all of this, and if there are any reasons when a White Lie is permitted. Is a White Lie different than a real lie. Our eternal life depends on us knowing the truth so we can repent and ask Jesus to forgive us and be with Him in the Kingdom of God for all eternity.

So, what does the Bible really say about bearing false witness, (lying)?

Does the Bible say when the first lie was spoken? We actually find the first recorded lie all the way back in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3 we see that Satan is the father of the first lie.

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" But the serpent said to the woman, "YOU WILL NOT SURELY DIE." (Genesis 3:1-4)

And there it is! The Bible says this is the first recorded lie in human history. Adam and Eve lost the opportunity for eternal life right from the start and did in fact die as God said. God goes on to show us in verse 13 what the root of every lie actually is, and how we can use this knowledge to understand if the White Lie we told is a real lie according to what the Bible actually says.

"Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

DECEPTION is what a lie is all about. If your intent is to deceive someone with your words, you are lying! We use our words to deceive people into believing something that isn't true, and the Bible plainly says this is sin!

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:6)

If you ask most Christians if lying is a sin, a violation of the 9th commandment against bearing false witness, the majority will say it is. If you ask if they lie on a regular basis most will say no they don't lie. You see, to most Christians lying is a blatant, intentional false statement based on selfish wrong motives. They are meant to harm or do damage to others, or obtain a selfish goal, or give yourself an unfair advantage in business and social affairs. Almost no Christian believes "Little White Lies" are REAL lies that violate the 9th commandment.

Is it wrong to say "Little White Lies" to your children for the sake of their self-esteem, or to make them feel safe, or play into their fantasies?
Is it wrong to say something deceptive, or even out right lie socially to smooth things over in relationships, or avoid hurting someone's feelings, or avoid arguments?
Is it wrong if you say a false statement in business to get ahead, or lie to get a better deal, or deceive your boss to avoid working, or lie to save time?
Have you ever stopped to consider all the words you say everyday that are lies and you never give a second thought to what you are actually saying?
 

What does the Bible actually have to say about all lies?

"The Lord detests lying lips" (Proverbs 12:22)

"Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies." (Psalm 34:13)

"Do not lie to each other" (Colossians 3:9)

"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44)
 

What does the Bible have to say about deception?

The Bible is very clear about what God thinks about lying, but what about "White Lies," those little deceptions that are meant for good. Are they OK?

"For, Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech." (I Peter 3:10)

"Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues." (Psalm 120:2)

"An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies."

(Proverbs 14:5) "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit." (I Peter 2:1)

"Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked." (Psalm 43:1)

"No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence." (Psalm 101:7)

Well, it looks like anything you say in ANY form of deception is wicked, and considered a "real" lie. Anyone who practices ANY deception towards children, spouses, family, friends, co-workers, employers, or any other person regardless of reason or intent is lying. They will NOT dwell in the house of the Lord and stand in the presence of Jesus in His Kingdom! There are no "Yeah but" Biblical exceptions for lying or, telling any White Lie, or engaging in any deceptive speech towards anyone! (And this includes our children at Christmas time! Ho Ho Ho)

If you are honest with yourself, (and God), 100% of you reading this study have committed several of the lies mentioned in the list at the beginning of this study. You have never even considered what God thought about what you say that isn't true. True Christians will read this study and have their eyes opened by it. You will recognize what you have been doing and repent with all your heart. You will make every effort in the future to identify all your hidden lies and deceptions and you will sincerely try to stop lying.

The rest of you will justify yourself, making excuses why it's OK to lie here or there for some "so-called" good reason. You will continue to lie to your children, your spouse, your friends, and your employer. Your "White Lies" will continue because YOU don't see anything wrong with what you falsely say, but God does! When you stand before God on Judgment Day all the lies you told won't help you one bit and keep you out of the Lake of Fire.

"You shall not bear false witness." No White Lies! No exceptions!

This is what the Bible really says about lies and deception!


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