“A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies” (Proverbs 14:25).
Being truthful is a cornerstone to every institution of society. Without perpetual truthfulness a husband and wife cannot enjoy the full potential for intimacy God has woven into the fabric of marriage. Without putting away lying and speaking the truth with one another (Eph. 4:25), the body of Christ cannot be members of one another as God intended the church to be. Without truthfulness in a country’s legal system, innocent people are hurt and guilty people are not punished. Justice is impossible.
Speaking lies which exonerate the guilty and/or injure the innocent with injustice is evil. When Jesus came face to face with those who spoke lies in John 8, His analysis was succinct: “You are of your father the devil” (v. 44). According to the Son of God, the eternal destination of all liars is “in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).
