Prov. 6:16-19 (NKJV) These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: ¹⁷A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸A heart that devises  wicked plans,  Feet that are swift in running to evil, ¹⁹ A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

The second thing that God hates in this list of seven, is a lying tongue.  In this lesson, we want to identify what it is to lie, and why it is so bad.

The Problem Of Lying. Recent surveys show us areas where our nation generally consider trivial this important issue: 36% lie about important matters. 86% lie to their parents. 75% lie to their friends. 73% lie to their siblings. 69% lie to their spouses. 91% of those surveyed stated that they lie.

No wonder David said, “All men are liars” (Psalm 116:11). Do we want to live in a society wherein lying is so prevalent? I’m suspicious when I hear someone say, “Well, to tell you the truth…” or “to be perfectly honest with you…”  Do they have to use particular phrases to make us feel comfortable in believing what they are saying?

Ways In Which We Lie. We speak of “White lies, big lies, small lies.” Twist words. Half truths. Misstatement of fact. Bodily movement. Gossip. Exaggeration. Insinuation. Flattery. Presuming.

I think we all know from our youth up until now that lying is wrong.  Thus we attempt to salve our consciences when we do what we know is wrong. A former Secretary of State once said, “That’s not a lie; it’s a terminological inexactitude. Also a tactical misrepresentation.” 

Why Lying Is So Wrong. It is contrary to the very nature of God (Hebrews 6:18 NIV)  God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged..

It destroys our credibility (Job 27:5 NIV)  I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity.

Conclusion: While lying is contrary to the character of God, so is speaking the truth in a hurtful and vindictive way (Ephesians 4:15 NIV)  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

The fate of all liars (Revelation 21:8 NIV)  But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

• A half truth is a whole lie. Yiddish Proverb
• A liar isn’t believed even when he speaks the truth. German Proverb
• A lie travels around the world while truth is putting her boots on. French Proverb
• All lies are not told—some are lived. Arnold Glasgow
• It is almost always through fear of being criticized that people tell lies. Paul Tournier (1898–1986)
• No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar. Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
• One lie gives birth to another. Terence (c. 186–c. 159 b.c.)
• Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle that fits them all. Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894)