Is lying on paper the same as speaking lies? Do they have the same consequences?
The Bible teaches that lying in any form is a sin. First, the Lord commanded that we never testify falsely against another person in the Ten Commandments. Furthermore, Paul says plainly:
Col. 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices
And James says:
James 3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
James 3:7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
James 3:8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
When the writers of scripture warn against deception and lying, they are not speaking simply about spoken communication. The same sin can be committed through our written words. Therefore, if a Christian is misrepresenting themselves through written words for any purpose, they are sinning by deception or lying.
While we cannot anticipate all the repercussions of lying, we know the Lord will hold us accountable at the Judgment Seat of Christ. This judgment will not threaten our salvation, as Paul teaches in 1Corinthians 3, but it will assign eternal reward, and that reward can be jeopardized by our failure to serve the Lord well.
If you would like to read more about this area of scripture, we recommend the following article:
"Can someone continue in sin and still be saved?"
