What does the Bible say about LYING?

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What does the Bible say about LYING? Some critics allege that God condoned lying in Old Testament times. This is a false accusation. Scripture forbids lying (Exodus 20:16; Leviticus 19:11), passing along false reports (Exodus 23:1), and testifying falsely (Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 5:20). We are assured that liars will not go unpunished (Proverbs 19:9; 21:28). Lying is viewed as a sin (Psalm 59:12) and is considered an abomination to God (Proverbs 12:22), for God abhors falsehood (Psalm 119:163). Scripture also affirms what, to many, is obvious: "God is not man, that he should lie" (Numbers 23:19). But some people point to 2 Chronicles 18:20-21, where we are told that God permitted the activity of a "lying spirit." Of course, what God causes and what He allows are two different things. God allowed Adam and Eve's sin in the Garden of Eden, but He did not cause it. God allowed Lucifer's rebellion against Him, but He did not cause it. God allowed Ananias and Sapphira to lie to Peter, but He did not cause them to do so. Likewise, 2 Chronicles 18:20-21 reveals that God permitted the activity of a lying spirit, but He did not cause the spirit to engage in this activity. As boggling as it is to the human mind, God is able to bring good even out of the freewill, evil acts of others (Romans 8:28). Pearl of Wisdom: The triune God is full of truth-the Father (Psalm 31:5), the Son (John 14:16), and the Holy Spirit (John 14:17). Credit: Ron Rhodes