Hatred, as a strong aversion or intense dislike, is often viewed negatively in Christian theology. However, there are instances where hatred is considered righteous, particularly when directed against sin and falsehood. One such sin is lying, which is consistently condemned throughout Scripture. The Bible calls believers to detest lying, as it stands in direct opposition to the nature of God, who is truth.

Biblical Condemnation of Lying

Lying is explicitly condemned in the Ten Commandments, where God commands, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). This command underscores the importance of truthfulness in maintaining justice and righteousness within the community. Lying is seen as a destructive force that undermines trust and sows discord.

Proverbs 6:16-19 lists lying among the seven things that the Lord hates: "There are six things that 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 run swiftly to evil, a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers" . This passage highlights the severity with which God views lying, placing it alongside other grievous sins.

The Nature of God and Truth

God's nature is inherently truthful, as affirmed in Numbers 23:19: "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" . This verse emphasizes the unchanging and truthful nature of God, contrasting it with human fallibility. As followers of Christ, believers are called to emulate God's truthfulness in their own lives.

Jesus Christ, the embodiment of truth, declared, "I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6). His life and teachings exemplify the importance of truth, and His followers are urged to walk in the light of truth, rejecting falsehood in all its forms.

The Call to Hate Lying

Psalm 119:163 expresses a righteous hatred for lying: "I hate and abhor falsehood, but Your law I love" . This verse reflects the psalmist's deep commitment to God's truth and his corresponding aversion to deceit. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a similar attitude, loving God's law and hating anything that contradicts it, including lying.

Ephesians 4:25 instructs believers to "put away falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one another" . This directive not only calls for personal integrity but also highlights the communal aspect of truthfulness, as lying damages relationships within the body of Christ.

The Consequences of Lying

The Bible warns of the dire consequences of lying. Revelation 21:8 lists liars among those who will face judgment: "But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death" . This stark warning serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal implications of unrepentant deceit.

In contrast, those who reject lying and embrace truth are promised blessings. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight" . This verse assures believers that God takes pleasure in those who uphold truth, offering them His favor and blessing.

Conclusion

While hatred is often seen as a negative emotion, the Bible calls believers to exhibit a righteous hatred against lying. By aligning themselves with God's truth and rejecting falsehood, Christians can reflect the character of God and maintain the integrity of their witness in the world.Psalm 119:163
I hate and abhor lying: but your law do I love.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Against those who Say that Demons Govern Human Affairs, and who ...
... without a truce, and an implacable fight, and undying hatred. ... the full, but suffers
him to exhibit just so ... If Demons were to arrange affairs, we should be in ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i against those who.htm

Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
... For our thought should then be, How high the honour ... and innocent against the injuries
of the bad, we are obliged to incur the offence and hatred of the ...
/.../sergieff/on the christian life/chapter iii of bearing the.htm

V. ...
... Wherefore should we then be sober and vigilant ... ourselves against him; as Paul also
says, "we are not ... us heedless, and thereupon follow wrath, hatred, pride, lust ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter v v .htm

John xvii. 14
... both laughter, and the charge of folly, and tears, and hatred. ... And if one should
enquire into law suits and wills ... But this is not what is required; we need works ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxxii john xvii 14.htm

Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
... For our thought should then be, How high the honour ... and innocent against the injuries
of the bad, we are obliged to incur the offence and hatred of the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of bearing the.htm

To Pammachius against John of Jerusalem.
... I hated them with a perfect hatred." Had I heard my ... For it is right that as we have
always borne about ... body, so the life, also, of Jesus, should be manifested ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/to pammachius against john of.htm

The Anointing of Jesus.
... in the midst of all this hatred, suspicion, treachery ... right conduct, it is necessary
that we should cultivate this ... material in which He may exhibit His healing ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/i the anointing of jesus.htm

Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha ...
... Who can wonder that the popular hatred is inflamed against it ... of men so deserves,
why do we strive to ... it as a thing impossible that the law should perish from ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/of passages from the holy.htm

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... The spirit of hatred by reason of faintheartedness ... indeed, probable, that the work
would exhibit traces of ... in the Testament of Zebulun we should gather the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

Letter to a Young Widow.
... to increased lamentations and having incurred his hatred would add ... And that we ought
to act thus thou hast ... receive his instructions as to what should be done ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/letter to a young widow.htm

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