Why Do Christians Lie So Much? Truth and Christianity
by Rich Deem

Introduction

What is truth?

Before Jesus was crucified, He was brought before Pontius Pilate, who wanted to know why the Jews wanted Him dead. Jesus said that it was true that He claimed to be a king and that He came to testify of the truth. Pilate's cynical response was "What is truth?" Contrary to Pilate's cynicism, the Bible claims that truth exists, and is to be sought and defended at all times.

Rich Deem

Most skeptics want to know the truth about the world and how it works. In discussing Christianity with atheists, I find that most tend to believe that Christians lie and avoid the truth to support their "faith." While there are ministries and individuals that purposefully suppress the truth and present fallacious information, this kind of behavior is extremely evil and antithetical to biblical Christianity.

The Bible and truth

Truth is so important in the Bible that it is emphasized hundreds of times. The Bible claims to be true throughout and that all God has said is true.¹ The Bible also claims that the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ is true² and the way of salvation.³ Any prophecy that is made in the name of the Lord is to be tested for truth⁴ so that one knows whether a prophet speaks for God or not.

God's truthfulness

One of the most often described attribute of God is His truthfulness.⁵ In fact, God is called the "God of truth."⁶ Since the God of Christianity is described as a Trinity consisting of three persons, all members share the same attributes. Therefore, not only God the Father,⁵ but God the Son⁷ (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit⁸ represent truth. In fact, Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life."⁹ The Holy Spirit is also known as the "Spirit of truth"¹⁰ So, after love, God's most often described attribute is that He represents truth.

God's instructions on truthfulness

The Bible says that God desires truth in our innermost being¹¹ and that he "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth"¹² We are told that we should serve God in truth¹³ and worship Him in spirit and truth.¹⁴ Our prayers are to be presented in sincerity and truth.¹⁵ We are to select our leaders on the basis of their truthfulness,¹⁶ and their judgments are to be based upon the truth.¹⁷ In fact, no person was to be convicted of a capital crime on the basis of one witness, but at least two were required,¹⁸ to minimize the possibility of a false conviction.

Individuals are implored to speak the truth at all times,¹⁹ and are commended for doing so.²⁰ We are instructed not to lie,²¹ and lying is strongly condemned.²² Testifying falsely against another person is specifically prohibited in the Ten Commandments,²³ and is punishable with the same punishment the accused would have received (including falsely testifying in a capital crime).²⁴ Evil and unrighteous people oppose the truth²⁵ and will not even receive it.²⁶ A lack of truth leads to evil and injustice.²⁷ God will punish those who suppress the truth,²⁸ and lying is one of the sins that keeps one out of heaven,²⁹ since it is the "City of Truth".³⁰

The Christian and the truth

The Bible says that those who practice the truth will come to the Light of Jesus³¹ to be saved,³² and that the truth of following Jesus' teaching will set one free from sin.³³ One who receives Jesus becomes a new creation, established in truth in the likeness of God.³⁴ The Christian puts on spiritual "armor," which includes the belt of truth.³⁵ The Christian is to "buy truth,"³⁶ "love truth,"³⁷ and rejoice in the truth."³⁸ The Christian is to be established in the truth,³⁹ to love in truth and deed (not just lip service),⁴⁰ and correct those who stray from the truth.⁴¹ The Christian is to think deeply about things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and worthy of praise.⁴² The Christian church is to be the "pillar of the truth."⁴³ When surveyed about the importance of honesty, more theists rated honesty as "very important" compared to atheists.⁴⁴

Is lying ever okay?

From all the preceding Bible verses, it would seem that lying would never be acceptable. However, this is not necessarily correct, since there are times that telling the truth would actually facilitate the exercise of evil. A good example of this principle occurred during World War II, when Christians hid Jews and lied to the occupying authorities to prevent their deaths. A biblical example occurred when Rahab the prostitute hid the Jewish scouts on her roof and lied to the king of Jericho to protect their lives.⁴⁵ Because of this act, her life was spared and she was counted as one of the people of faith in the New Testament book of Hebrews.⁴⁶ So, lying is okay only when not doing so would jeopardize innocent life.

What about Christians who lie?

It often seems that Christian leaders get caught all the time lying or having affairs or doing some other evil thing that contradicts the tenets of Christianity. The perception that this is common is a function of the news media, which loves to report such kinds of behavior. Everyone loves to hate a hypocrite. When famous atheists commit adultery (even on a routine basis) it isn't news at all, since there is no tenet of atheism that one be faithful to his spouse.

Although there are "Christians" who lie, we can't be sure that they are really Christians at all. This is because being a Christian isn't based upon what a person says, but what Jesus says at the judgment. According to Jesus, many who claim to do things in His name will be rejected by Him at the judgment:

"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'" (Matthew 7:22-23)

At Evidence for God from Science, we take truth very seriously. Most pages contain a contact link where you can send correspondence to the page's author. Every page contains a link to report errors. We read all correspondence, and have made hundreds of changes to the site based upon reader's feedback.

Conclusion

From all the deception that has gone on among Christians, it would seem that truth is not held in very much esteem. However, Christianity does not teach this kind of immoral behavior. The God of the Bible is also known as the God of Truth, who desires that all people convey truth to each other at all times. The Christian is to live a life that is established in truth - truth in speaking, in loving, and truth in all one does and thinks. Those who knowingly violate such ideals are in opposition to Christianity, and may not even be Christians. The Christian church is to be the "pillar of the truth."

Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding. (Proverbs 23:23)

References

The LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD'S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not." (Numbers 11:23)
"Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. (2 Samuel 7:28)
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. (Psalm 119:142)
You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth. (Psalm 119:151)
The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting. (Psalm 119:160)
So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I wait for Your ordinances. (Psalm 119:42-43)
To make you know the certainty of the words of truth That you may correctly answer him who sent you? (Proverbs 22:21)
The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly. (Ecclesiastes 12:10)
so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:4)
"Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. (John 17:17)
And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. (John 19:35)
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. (John 21:24)
But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. (Acts 26:25)
a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, (Romans 2:20)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, (Titus 1:1)
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (Hebrews 10:26)
In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. (James 1:18)
Then he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are true words of God." (Revelation 19:9)
And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." (Revelation 21:5)
And he said to me, "These words are faithful and true"; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place. (Revelation 22:6)
But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. (Galatians 2:5)
But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? (Galatians 2:14)
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel (Colossians 1:5)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)
and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,' (Deuteronomy 13:2)
"When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:22)
He said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me, the LORD has guided me in the way to the house of my master's brothers." (Genesis 24:27)
Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; (Exodus 34:6)
"Now may the LORD show lovingkindness and truth to you; and I also will show this goodness to you, because you have done this thing. (2 Samuel 2:6)
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. (Psalm 19:9)
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. (Psalm 25:5)
All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. (Psalm 25:10)
For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. (Psalm 26:3)
Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth. (Psalm 31:5)
I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation. (Psalm 40:10)
You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me. (Psalm 40:11)
O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places. (Psalm 43:3)
And in Your majesty ride on victoriously, For the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; Let Your right hand teach You awesome things. (Psalm 45:4)
He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me. Selah. God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth. (Psalm 57:3)
For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens And Your truth to the clouds. (Psalm 57:10)
I will also praise You with a harp, Even Your truth, O my God; To You I will sing praises with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. (Psalm 71:22)
Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. (Psalm 86:11)
But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. (Psalm 86:15)
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You. (Psalm 89:14)
For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the skies. (Psalm 108:4)
The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure. (Psalm 111:7)
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. (Psalm 115:1)
For His lovingkindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117:2)
I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name. (Psalm 138:2)
"Because he who is blessed in the earth Will be blessed by the God of truth; And he who swears in the earth Will swear by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because they are hidden from My sight! (Isaiah 65:16)
O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You have smitten them, But they did not weaken; You have consumed them, But they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; They have refused to repent. (Jeremiah 5:3)
'Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth. (Jeremiah 33:6)
Then they said to Jeremiah, "May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with the whole message with which the LORD your God will send you to us. (Jeremiah 42:5)
"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." (Daniel 4:37)
"As it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come on us; yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to Your truth. (Daniel 9:13)
You will give truth to Jacob And unchanging love to Abraham, Which You swore to our forefathers From the days of old. (Micah 7:20)
and I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.' (Zechariah 8:8)
"He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. (John 3:33)
Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, "You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. (John 7:28)
"I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world." (John 8:26)
and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (Revelation 6:10)
And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! (Revelation 15:3)
And I heard the altar saying, "Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments." (Revelation 16:7)
BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER." (Revelation 19:2)
Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth. (Psalm 31:5)
"Because he who is blessed in the earth Will be blessed by the God of truth; And he who swears in the earth Will swear by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because they are hidden from My sight! (Isaiah 65:16)
And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. (Matthew 22:16)
They came and said to Him, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? (Mark 12:14)
"But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; (Luke 4:25)
They questioned Him, saying, "Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. (Luke 20:21)
There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. (John 1:9)
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)
"There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. (John 5:32)
"He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. (John 7:18)
"But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. (John 8:16)
"But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. (John 8:40)
"But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. "Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? (John 8:45-46)
Many came to Him and were saying, "While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true." (John 10:41)
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)
Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." (John 18:37)
As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. (2 Corinthians 11:10)
if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, (Ephesians 4:21)
As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. (1 John 2:27)
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)
"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: (Revelation 3:7)
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: (Revelation 3:14)
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. (Revelation 19:11)
that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. (John 14:17)
"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, (John 15:26)
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (John 16:13)
This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. (1 John 5:6)
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)
that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. (John 14:17)
"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, (John 15:26)
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (John 16:13)
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. (Psalm 51:6)
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)
"Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:14)
He said to him, "Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor; all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out." (1 Samuel 9:6)
"Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. (1 Samuel 12:24)
so that the LORD may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.' (1 Kings 2:4)
Then Solomon said, "You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. (1 Kings 3:6)
Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth." (1 Kings 17:24)
"Remember now, O LORD, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (2 Kings 20:3)
Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah; and he did what was good, right and true before the LORD his God. (2 Chronicles 31:20)
and said, "Remember now, O LORD, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (Isaiah 38:3)
but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God... in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, (2 Corinthians 6:4,7)
"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:23-24)
For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:25)
Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:8)
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. (Psalm 145:18)
By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. (Proverbs 16:6)
A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever. (Proverbs 21:28)
"Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. (Exodus 18:21)
Loyalty and truth preserve the king, And he upholds his throne by righteousness. (Proverbs 20:28)
If a king judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever. (Proverbs 29:14)
then you shall investigate and search out and inquire thoroughly. If it is true and the matter established that this abomination has been done among you, (Deuteronomy 13:14)
and if it is told you and you have heard of it, then you shall inquire thoroughly. Behold, if it is true and the thing certain that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, (Deuteronomy 17:4)
"But if this charge is true, that the girl was not found a virgin, (Deuteronomy 22:20)
"Then You came down on Mount Sinai, And spoke with them from heaven; You gave them just ordinances and true laws, Good statutes and commandments. (Nehemiah 9:13)
"On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness. (Deuteronomy 17:6)
"A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed. (Deuteronomy 19:15)
"But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. (Matthew 18:16)
This is the third time I am coming to you. EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES. (2 Corinthians 13:1)
Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. (1 Timothy 5:19)
Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. (Hebrews 10:28)
Then the king said to him, "How many times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?" (1 Kings 22:16)
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. (Psalm 15:2)
Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3)
"For my mouth will utter truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. (Proverbs 8:7)
He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit. (Proverbs 12:17)
Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good. (Proverbs 14:22)
And you will swear, 'As the LORD lives,' In truth, in justice and in righteousness; Then the nations will bless themselves in Him, And in Him they will glory." (Jeremiah 4:2)
"The prophet who has a dream may relate his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word in truth. What does straw have in common with grain?" declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:28)
'These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates. (Zechariah 8:16)
For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. (2 Corinthians 13:8)
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, (Ephesians 4:15)
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25)
"True instruction was in his mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity. (Malachi 2:6)
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. (James 3:14)
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, (1 Peter 1:22)
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, From a deceitful tongue. (Psalm 120:2)
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, (Proverbs 6:17)
He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool. (Proverbs 10:18)
Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment. (Proverbs 12:19)
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight. (Proverbs 12:22)
An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. (Proverbs 17:4)
Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince. (Proverbs 17:7)
What is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar. (Proverbs 19:22)
The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death. (Proverbs 21:6)
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin. (Proverbs 26:28)
Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. (Proverbs 30:6)
Transgressing and denying the LORD, And turning away from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving in and uttering from the heart lying words. (Isaiah 59:13)
"They see falsehood and lying divination who are saying, 'The LORD declares,' when the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope for the fulfillment of their word. (Ezekiel 13:6)
"Did you not see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you said, 'The LORD declares,' but it is not I who have spoken?"'" (Ezekiel 13:7)
"So My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will have no place in the council of My people, nor will they be written down in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel, that you may know that I am the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 13:9)
"For handfuls of barley and fragments of bread, you have profaned Me to My people to put to death some who should not die and to keep others alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies."'" (Ezekiel 13:19)
that if you do not make the dream known to me, there is only one decree for you. For you have agreed together to speak lying and corrupt words before me until the situation is changed; therefore tell me the dream, that I may know that you can declare to me its interpretation." (Daniel 2:9)
For the teraphim speak iniquity, And the diviners see lying visions And tell false dreams; They comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep, They are afflicted, because there is no shepherd. (Zechariah 10:2)
and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. (John 8:55)
May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, "THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED." (Romans 3:4)
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:10)
The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; (1 John 2:4)
Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:22)
If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20)
The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. (1 John 5:10)
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16)
"The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you." (Deuteronomy 19:18-19)
and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. (1 Timothy 6:5)
men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:18)
For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:6-7)
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. (2 Timothy 3:8)
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. (Titus 1:14)
Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; (2 Peter 2:2)
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; (1 John 1:6)
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; (1 John 2:4)
I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. (1 John 2:21)
and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:10)
Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, And uprightness cannot enter. (Isaiah 59:14)
Yes, truth is lacking; And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey. Now the LORD saw, And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice. (Isaiah 59:15)
"You shall say to them, 'This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the LORD their God or accept correction; truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth. (Jeremiah 7:28)
"They bend their tongue like their bow; Lies and not truth prevail in the land; For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:3)
"Everyone deceives his neighbor And does not speak the truth, They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves committing iniquity. (Jeremiah 9:5)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (Romans 1:18)
but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. (Romans 2:8)
in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. (2 Thessalonians 2:12)
and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27)
Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. (Revelation 22:15)
"But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)
"Thus says the LORD, 'I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.' (Zechariah 8:3)
"But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." (John 3:21)
But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, Answer me with Your saving truth. (Psalm 69:13)
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free... everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:31-36)
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Ephesians 4:24)
(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), (Ephesians 5:9)
and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-- (Colossians 3:10)
Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, (Ephesians 6:14)
Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding. (Proverbs 23:23)
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.' (Zechariah 8:19)
[Love] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; (1 Corinthians 13:6)
Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. (2 Peter 1:12)
We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him (1 John 3:19)
We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6)
for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: (2 John 1:2)
I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. (2 John 1:4)
For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. (3 John 1:3)
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4)
Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. (3 John 1:8)
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. (1 John 3:18)
The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, (2 John 1:1)
Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. (2 John 1:3)
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. (3 John 1:1)
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, (2 Timothy 2:25)
My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, (James 5:19)
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)
Good Without God, But Better With God? by Reginald W. Bibby. See Are Atheists and Theists Morally Equivalent?
Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there. It was told the king of Jericho, saying, "Behold, men from the sons of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land." And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, "Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land." But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. "It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them." But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. (Joshua 2:1-6)
By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. (Hebrews 11:31)

Reflections
We are what we think.

11/06/2012 12:17 AM
Can a Compulsive Thinker Also Be a Believer?
Some say that in order to have faith, one must “check his brain at the door.” Yet as a compulsive thinker (such that no twelve-step program would be able to cure me), I challenge this notion. In a recent talk … Continue reading →
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11/01/2012 08:00 AM
Quote of the Week: Peter Toon
Apparently most people who attend church services today have never heard a sermon expounding the doctrine of the Blessed, Holy, and Undivided Trinity—the transcendent, living God, Yahweh-Elohim, worshiped by Christians through the centuries. Further, they have had either little or … Continue reading →
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10/30/2012 12:18 AM
Halloween and Other Hot Topics
Halloween. The September 11 attacks. Global warming. Hot topics can present a troubling challenge, even in a culture that values freedom of speech. Do we ignore touchy issues and avoid all confrontation, or do we engage in verbal warfare with … Continue reading →
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10/25/2012 08:00 AM
Quote of the Week: Douglas Groothuis
Any truth claim negates every proposition that denies it. This is the logic of antithesis… For instance, if Jesus is God incarnate, then he is not (1) a mere prophet of Allah (Islam), (2) a misguided reformer (Judaism), (3) an … Continue reading →
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10/23/2012 01:49 PM
Reviews of 7 Truths That Changed the World on Hard-Core Christianity Blog
This week on Reflections I offer up a review of my new book by Christian apologist Melissa Travis, creator of the blog Hard-Core Christianity: “Book Review: 7 Truths That Changed the World” Melissa was a student of mine a few years … Continue reading →
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10/18/2012 08:00 AM
Quote of the Week: Ed. L. Miller
The philosopher attempts to organize and systemize his or her encounters with existence and value, to articulate a Weltanschauung or ‘world view,’ a general impression and judgment about the whole of things. –Ed. L. Miller, God and Reason (Upper Saddle … Continue reading →
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10/16/2012 01:43 PM
Straight Thinking Highlight: D’Souza’s Film on Obama
Does everyone have a worldview? What critical factors shape a person’s worldview compass? How important is it to correctly discern the worldview held by major influencers, such as our political leaders? With the Presidential campaign well under way, I thought … Continue reading →
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10/11/2012 08:00 AM
Quote of the Week: Tony Lane
We need to read about the past in order to understand the present. People without a grasp of history are like a person without a memory. Many of the current beliefs in our society are properly grasped only when we … Continue reading →
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10/09/2012 12:28 AM
Five-Point Logic Checklist
One of the most important skills to master, particularly if you intend to share your faith with others, is how to form a logical argument. Though it might seem complicated, an argument in logic is really a very simple thing. … Continue reading →
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10/04/2012 08:00 AM
Quote of the Week: Westminister Shorter Catechism
Q: What is the chief end of man? A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. –Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 1
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