God, Who Never Lies
by Edwin Crozier
We have hope of eternal life because the God who promises eternal life never lies. Obviously, no human was around to hear God promise before the ages began or from time eternal. Paul’s point is not that we can find a quote of God before the beginning making this promise. His point is that God’s plan for humankind, even before creating the world, was eternal life. Eternal life is not plan B for us. God always intended us to have it. This is why God had a plan ready and in place when Adam’s sin in the garden prompted death instead of life.
Since this has been God’s plan for us from before time, we can trust God’s truth will lead us to eternal life. We can especially trust God’s truth to lead us to eternal life because God doesn’t lie. The author of Hebrews provides similar assurance, declaring in Hebrews 6:18, “It is impossible for God to lie.”
The point is not that God does not have the ability to lie, but that God does not have the nature to lie. Certainly, God can speak. Therefore, God could speak a lie if He chose. But that’s just it–God never chooses to lie. Lying is opposed to the very nature of the true God.
This tells us something about every page of Scripture. Everything the Bible tells us is true. Certainly, God records the lies of others, as when Psalm 14:1 declares, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God'” (ESV). The statement “There is no God” is false. But God is not saying that. He is quoting it. The fool truly does say that in his heart. But when we are reading God’s record of events, we know it is true. When we are reading God’s interpretation of circumstances, it is true. When we are reading God’s explanation of the meaning, purpose, and value of anything or anyone, we know it is true.
We can either accept what God says about things, or we can be wrong. Those are our choices. This is why we need to be anchored in God’s Word. His Word is true and contains no lie. Satan is a liar and the father of the lie. Our desires will deceive us. Even our hearts can be deceitful. But God never lies.
Praise God!
