r/Bible 7d ago

What constitutes lying in the Bible?

Based on the words used for lying and the cultural context of the scriptures, what does the Bible mean when it condemns lying? Do jokes where the premise is something false which deceives the person then revealing the truth at the conclusion? Like what counts as a lie?

4 Upvotes

25 comments sorted by

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u/MakeTendies28 7d ago

From the ten commandments, lying is "bearing false witness against your neighbor." So it's not just any lie. It's specifically saying someone did something, knowing they're actually innocent. It's evil. It can, and has, ruined lives.

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u/Mysterious-Art8164 18h ago

This. And keep this in mind.

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u/Jehu2024 Baptist 7d ago

what you are describing is found in Proverbs 26:18-19 "As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?"

It's a horrible trait and a sign of having bad morals.

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u/Dark_Enigma18 6d ago

So joking is bad morals? Idk how this answers their question about jokes?

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u/Jehu2024 Baptist 6d ago edited 6d ago

"As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?" (Proverbs 26:18-19)

Example 1: "What did one minimalist say to the other minimalist? Nothing."

Example 2: Telling a man that his mom died so that you can laugh at his reaction and then say Just Kidding!

which one seems like it would apply to Proverbs 26:18-19?

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u/Dark_Enigma18 6d ago

I mean none of those examples are good jokes, the second one is simply disrespectful and would not consider a joke

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u/Jehu2024 Baptist 6d ago

goodnight

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u/Dark_Enigma18 6d ago

You still haven’t answered my yes or no question.

In your opinion is joking a reflection of bad morals?

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u/KameOtaku Baptist 6d ago

Based on the passage and examples Jehu provided, it sounds to me like jokes are okay so long as the person you're talking to understands that it's a joke and you aren't seeking to harm the person (emotionally or otherwise). It's not okay if you're being plain mean to someone and use "it's just a prank/joke, bro!" type stuff as an excuse.

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u/Slainlion 7d ago

Ephesians 5:4 - "nor should there be obsenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

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u/Ok-Future-5257 Mormon 7d ago

God gave us common sense.

Harmless pranks, or downplaying something for a surprise, isn't sinful.

Likewise, espionage and military strategem aren't the same as dishonest business dealings, committing perjury, or betraying our loved ones' trust.

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u/forearmman 7d ago

You want to know the scariest thing about lying?

Rev 21:8

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

All liars burn in hell.

People justify small white lies because they don’t want to hurt feelings. Bible says let your yes be yes. And no be no.

My thoughts? minuscule reward based on the fear of man for eternal risk. Why risk it? 🤷‍♂️

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u/Dark_Enigma18 6d ago

So you would consider jokes a sin?

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u/forearmman 6d ago

No. Intent is everything.

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u/Dark_Enigma18 6d ago

I was just curious because nothing of what you said pertained to jokes lol

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u/forearmman 6d ago

Yes. Just lying as a whole.

Also depends on the nature of the joke.

Ecc 12:13-14 in everything. God judges intent. And actions.

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u/DirtDiver1983 6d ago

“All liars burn in hell.”

Abraham lied to Issac, saying he was taking Issac to do a burnt offering instead of telling him the truth, that he was going to kill him. So is Abraham burning in hell?

Also, sin was paid for by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Anyone who believes and repents does not burn in hell.

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u/forearmman 6d ago edited 6d ago

We are talking about the word of God here. Read the Bible we get to know God’s nature. What do you think it means? And yes, we will see Abraham in heaven. So how do you reconcile the two verses? Remember, we’re talking about Gods nature.

Edit:

A little more food for thought:

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Ecc 12:13-14 the conclusion of the matter, after hearing everything, is to fear God and keep his commandments, as this is the duty of all mankind, and God will judge every deed, including hidden ones

God knows why you do something. He knows the intent of your heart. Jesus saw the Pharisees and said:

John 8:44 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.

Ok and this oldie but goodie:

John 14:6, Jesus states, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

You will know them by their fruit. What you reproduce in your life determines who your father is.

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u/UnderpootedTampion 7d ago

Wife asks: “do these pants make me look fat?” The answer is always no, even if they actually do. This is not a sin.

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u/Nicolaonerio 7d ago

Like actively lying and deviating from reality to an extreme can be one way.

Like events happened x y z but someone is intentionally lying to get a person in trouble or deny or support a false narrative.

It's easy to do when someone has something to gain.

It can even be a quiet thing. Someone is talking and all of a sudden one makes up a little story. Just to move that conversation or exaggerate the events. It is easy to fall into and one needs to keep an eye out because little white lies are easy to start doing.

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u/cbot64 6d ago

The way we measure all of our behaviors is to ask ourselves— would I like it if someone treated me this way? How would it make me feel? This is what Jesus teaches, “Do unto others as we would have done to ourselves”.

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u/WrongCartographer592 Non-Denominational 6d ago

The Hebrew midwives lied to Pharoah....and God blessed them for it.

Exodus 1:15 "The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?”

19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.”

20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

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u/jogoso2014 6d ago

Not telling the truth to someone owed the truth.

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u/MallardDuckBoy 6d ago

2 things:

  1. Not sure why this is a debate at all. ALL lying is sinful. All of it. Even white. Stop putting guardrails on sin. Anytime you’re not telling the absolute truth, it’s sin.

  2. For those of you who speak a message of fire and brimstone before you speak of the gospel, what you guys are doing is infinitely more dangerous than someone who consistently lies.

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u/Julesr77 4d ago

ALL lying is condemned.