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The Death of Ananias (Acts 5: 1-5) title QS:P1476,en:"The Death of Ananias (Acts 5: 1-5) "Raphael · 1515–00

Falsehood(cheating, fraud, deceit, deception, dishonesty, lying, guile)

שֶׁקֶר/FAWLS-hood/

“Falsehood, deception, lie”

Summary

Any intentional violation of truth in word or deed, condemned throughout Scripture as contrary to God's nature and destructive of human society.

☩Nature of Lying

A lie is an affirmation or denial contrary to our real thoughts with intent to deceive. It is a breach of the natural and universal right of mankind to truth in speech. Scripture uses the word to designate all ways mankind denies or alters truth, and calls the devil the father of lies and liars his children. The good is designated as truth, evil as its opposite—the lie.

Key verses:John 8:44Psalm 5:6Proverbs 6:16-19Revelation 21:27

☩Types of Falsehood

Various forms include: pernicious lies uttered for others' hurt; officious lies for supposed advantage; ludicrous lies in jest; pious frauds such as counterfeit miracles; lies of conduct through deceptive gestures; lies of omission by withholding truth; and equivocation or mental reservation. A life lived under false pretenses, like hypocrisy, constitutes a lie as much as false words.

Key verses:Leviticus 19:11Exodus 20:16Colossians 3:91 Timothy 1:10

☩God's Attitude

God cannot lie and Christianity reveals Him as 'the God who cannot lie.' The righteous are called to hate lying and avoid it. The wicked love and delight in lying. Lying leads to worse crimes and dissolves society. Scripture records lies by good men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David without approving them.

Key verses:Titus 1:2Numbers 23:19Proverbs 13:5Hosea 4:1-2

☩The Penalty

Liars are positively excluded from heaven and cast into the lake of fire. God will destroy those who speak lies. Ananias and Sapphira's immediate death demonstrates God's severity against lying to the Holy Spirit. The early church was particularly vigilant against false teachers, false apostles, false prophets, and false brethren—all branded by their deception.

Key verses:Revelation 21:8Revelation 22:15Acts 5:1-11Psalm 101:7

Related Verses270 mentions

Psalms· 39 verses

5:65:97:1410:712:2

Proverbs· 36 verses

2:126:126:136:1710:10

Jeremiah· 23 verses

5:275:287:47:87:28

Genesis· 18 verses

3:43:53:123:134:9

See Also

1/5
Conspiracy
Conspiracy
A Deep Sleep Fell Upon Abram and a Horror Seized Him (5752557)
Contracts
The Betrayal of Christ title QS:P1476,en:"The Betrayal of Christ "
Dissembling
The Stoning of Achan (Joshua 7:25)
Embezzlement

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Lie," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.Charles Buck, "Lying," in A Theological Dictionary (Charles Buck (London), 1802).
  3. 3.James Orr (ed.), "Lie; Lying," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
  4. 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Lying," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).