Lying weaves a tangled web of deception, as seen in the story of a man who fabricated an entire identity to gain admission to a prestigious university, only to be exposed as a fraud. Synonyms for lying, such as prevarication, mendacity, and equivocation, often cloud the clear wrongness of deceit, yet the truth remains that straying from honesty is a dangerous path. The first recorded lie in Scripture appears when Satan deceives Eve, telling her, "You will not surely die," directly contradicting God's command. Even Eve's earlier addition to God's words, stating not to touch the forbidden fruit when He had not said so, illustrates the peril of altering truth, whether to strengthen a barrier against sin or through exaggeration. God's command in Exodus 20:16 is clear: do not bear false witness against your neighbor, meaning simply not to tell lies about others. Christ expands this commandment to encompass all forms of deceit, revealing its broader spiritual intent. Satan, described by Jesus as a liar and the father of lies, exemplifies the deadly consequences of falsehood, for as Scripture states, the wages of sin is death. Jesus declares that abiding in His word leads to knowing the truth, which sets one free, a stark contrast to the bondage of deceit that ensnares so many.

The ninth commandment, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor, safeguards our bond with God, for by seeking and bearing true witness to the truth, we can maintain a relationship with Him. God is truth, and speaking truth from the heart allows one to abide with Him. Speaking truth also demonstrates love toward others, while lies, whether blatant or subtle, breed separation and distrust. Truth, though sometimes difficult to accept initially, ultimately fosters unity and trust. Bearing false witness is defined as lying, whereas a faithful witness provides accurate testimony, declaring events and information as they occurred, not as they are perceived or to gain advantage. Such a person consistently tells the complete truth. God views lying as an abomination, and under the Old Covenant, a false witness would receive the same penalty intended for the accused. The father of liars is satan, who lies from the depths of his character, while God does not and cannot lie, for truth is a fundamental attribute of His nature. Denying that Jesus is the Christ is considered lying, as is claiming to know Christ while failing to keep His commandments. Professing love for God while acting contrary to His laws reveals hatred toward both God and man, showing that lies can be expressed through actions as well as words. The wrath of God falls upon those who suppress the truth, as the wicked do so to avoid admitting their errors, reasoning that lying is easier than living God's way, thus becoming slaves to sin and satan. The habit of lying begins in early childhood and becomes ingrained in character unless overcome through repentance. Liars will not always be permitted to continue in their deceit, and a terrible fate awaits those who persist, facing final death. Lying produces penalties, poor health, death, corruption, and suffering, robbing individuals of self-esteem and reputation through slander, damages that may never fully be restored. A Christian's attitude should be to reject lies entirely, striving to remove all falsehood from their character to conform to the image of Christ. Part of conversion involves ridding oneself of lies and speaking truth. In the future repentance of Israel, removing lies from their character will be a significant challenge, yet they will look to the example of the redeemed, who are found without fault or deceit. Liars will not be accepted into the New Jerusalem, for God will never permit such into His Family.

God has called each one of us to be a witness of Him and for Him before the world, a principle of Christian living that requires conscious effort to glorify Him. Bearing false witness, as addressed in the commandments, directly impacts this duty. We are charged to bear God's name in a worthy manner, reflecting His character and faithfulness in our actions and words. Failing to do so, by misrepresenting the truth about Him, is a grave offense. We must not lie about anything, especially concerning the nature or promises of God, which we are tasked to testify to all who observe us. Our witness, whether through speech or behavior, must always uphold the truth, ensuring that we do not distort the testimony we hold so dearly. This testimony is precious, something we maintain and adhere to with all our strength, as a divine duty to apprise the world of God's way of life.