The world today is filled with a lot of contradicting information and it’s sometimes hard to differentiate a lie from the truth. Honesty and manipulation co-exist. Sadly, people are taking advantage of this to manipulate others to their advantage.
From simple lies to complex deceitful and cunning ways, people are falling prey to manipulators every day. Does our faith allow us to lie? What does God say about liars? In this article, we will explore what the Bible says about liars and manipulators. This exploration is meant to help us recognize our weaknesses and struggles, and help us attune our actions to the Word of God. Together, we will delve deeper into the Scriptures to gain insight into God’s mind about liars and manipulators.
According to Wikipedia, a lie is an assertion that is believed to be false, typically used to deceive or mislead someone. Lies are false statements or words. And, a person who tells a lie is a liar.
A manipulator is someone who uses misleading statements to exploit or influence others to their advantage. They are people who artfully craft a false statement or omit certain facts from a statement to mislead the person they are presenting the information to.
Read Also: What Does the Bible Say About Cheating?
These are incidents we have gone through or have done to others. Even though we pursue the virtues of integrity and honesty, these vices can sometimes be tempting. Many times we find ourselves in the dilemma of standing for the truth and losing or taking the chance to deceive and gain.
The battle between our faith and our needs may lead us into great confusion. This is why we have to find out how we can navigate this challenge without getting confused. And, there’s no better way than to find the solution from God’s Word.
What Does the Bible Say about Liars and Manipulators?
The fact that the Bible addresses this issue in its passages is proof that this is a universal struggle. It is something that is happening in the lives of many. Therefore, as we prepare our hearts to find out what the Bible says about liars and manipulators, we don’t need to feel guilty or condemn ourselves. The Bible unravels important teachings that can help each one of us live a life characterized by authenticity.
“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
Lying, manipulation, and deception can be traced back to the Garden of Eden. The devil set the pace for all the lies and dishonesty that we witness today. God had warned Adam and Eve not to eat fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden. However, the devil, who has always wanted to dethrone God, used his cunning skills to ruin the relationship between God and mankind.
He lied to Adam and Eve that if they ate the fruit God had warned them not to, they would become like God. He manipulated their minds and succeeded in his plans. This is the reason he is called the father of all lies. He continues to deceive the world today through various forms, and mostly through people.
Read Also: 50 Potent Bible Verses on Deception
The devil uses mankind to deceive their fellow humans. Therefore, if you find yourself in the dilemma of honesty and manipulation, know that the battle in your mind represents something beyond the physical. It is not about the things before your eyes that are drawing you into a dilemma but about God in battle with the devil.
If you will choose honesty over deception, then you will have declared that God is your Father. And, if you choose deception over honesty, then the father of all lies is your father. If someone asked you to choose between God and the devil, who would you choose? Your decision when faced with the dilemma of integrity and manipulation should reflect the person you would choose.
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
Proverbs 6:16-19
These Bible verses speak God’s mind about people who lie and manipulate others. Among the seven things that the Lord hates, lying and manipulation are mentioned several times. The Scripture says that God hates a tongue that tells lies and a false witness who pours out lies, which are direct references to liars. In other words, God hates liars.
It also mentions that God hates a heart that devices wicked schemes, which is also a heart that manipulates. A manipulator is someone who artfully devises wicked schemes that will work to their advantage. These wicked schemes may include coming up with misleading statements or falsifying the truth for personal gain.
Lastly, God hates a person who stirs up conflicts in communities by spreading false information about others. God hates people who move from one house to another to spread rumors. Rumor mongers and backbiters are included in this group of people that God hates since they rarely spread a rumor without including a lie in it.
“The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Proverbs 12:22
This Scripture speaks about the heart of the Lord towards liars and honest people. As you struggle to choose between lying and honesty, ask yourself this question, “Do I want to be an abomination before God, or do I want Him to delight in me?”
Read Also: 60 Bible Verses About Lying and Deceit
“No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.”
Psalms 101:1
As Christians, our ultimate goal is to inherit the Kingdom of God. We all want to go to heaven when the world comes to an end. However, this dream may not come true if we lie to and manipulate others. There is no place in heaven for us if we go on lying and deceiving our fellow human beings.
Therefore, as we struggle with the allure of lying and manipulation, let’s take a moment and think about our end. Do we want to end up in the devil’s house or do we want to end up in God’s house?
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
Colossians 3:9-10
All Christians have been made new creatures through grace and by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Whatever we do should reflect this state of newness in Him. Lying and manipulation belong to our old selves; the part of our lives that did not know about Jesus. But, now that we know Him, we should guard our tongues and our hearts against lying and manipulation.
“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Ephesians 4:25
We lie to our own selves when we lie to others. This is because Christ has made us one; we are all members of His body. To keep this union strong, Jesus calls us to put off all falsehoods and be honest with our fellow Christians.
Read Also: 56 Bible Verses About Loyalty
God’s Judgment for Liars and Manipulators
“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.”
Revelation 21:8
In Revelation 21:8, God mentions the people that will be thrown into hellfire when the world comes to an end. Each one of us will be judged according to our actions. Names of those who live upright will be written in the Book of Life. They will go to heaven after passing God’s judgment.
However, the names of those who lie and manipulate others will not be written in the Book of Life. They will be thrown into hell. Among the people that will be thrown into hellfire are liars and manipulators. Therefore, before we choose whether to lie or be honest, we must keep in mind that the heavens are recording everything we do in the heavenly books.
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.”
Proverbs 19:9
Destruction and doom are the fates of liars and manipulators. God will punish their actions and make them perish.
Read Also: 55 Bible Verses About the Tongue
Conclusion
Even though the Bible gives stern warnings to liars and manipulators, God still offers grace to them. The fact that you have been lying or manipulating others does not mean that you will suffer God’s punishment or go to hell if you make things right today. God is full of grace and mercy, and He does not desire that you perish. You can take advantage of this grace and mercy and make things right with Him.