Lying: The Devil’s Work and God’s Wrath

Read the Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 112

“But,” continues the Heidelberg instructor, “that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit, as the proper works of the devil, unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God.” All three parts of this statement are strong language.

First, “all sorts of lies and deceits must be avoided.” That includes lying out of malice, fear, neglect, carelessness, or pretended ignorance. It embraces lying for profit and lying through silence. So-called “half-truths” in which truth is minimized or exaggerated are also lies. It comprehends lying by breaking promises, vows, or oaths; lying by bragging or flattery. It involves so-called little “white lies” and lying to cover lies.

Secondly, all kinds of lies are “the proper work of the devil.” Jesus said, “He is a liar and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44). Satan is the liar and the lie. His very nature cannot but lie. Lying is his habitual, natural work. All lying has its origin in hell.

Thomas Watson wrote, “He that speaks slander has a devil’s tongue, and he that delights in hearing it has a devil’s ear.”

Dear friend, Satan constantly lies to you, attempting to minimize either sin or grace. He strives to undermine the truth of God’s hatred against sin and the truth of God’s amazing grace for sinners.

Thirdly, God’s “heavy wrath” is drawn down upon those who persevere in a lifestyle of lying. The wrath of God is dreadful; His heavy wrath is unbearable. God hates lying with a peculiar hatred. Four of the seven things the Lord says He hates in Proverbs 6 are related to lying: “A lying tongue, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (vv. 16-19).

Lying is more frequently committed and deeply abhorred by God than we are inclined to believe. There are no “small” lies, no “white lies” in God’s book. In God’s eye, every lie is black.

God punishes liars by means of a restless conscience, the loss of respect from others, and eternal damnation. Barring repentance, “all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8b).

— JRB

Scripture Reading: 6:12-19

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