Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 12

Verse 22

Proverbs 12:22

I. To tell lies is pitiful and mean. Nobody who is honourable and high-minded will stoop to do it. Even when we suffer for telling the truth, it is far better to have the courage to stick to it.

II. Lying is a hateful thing, because it has brought so much misery into the world. The safety and happiness of God's children depend on their telling the truth.

III. Lying is wicked. Wrong-doing consists in disobeying God's holy laws, and since He so positively bids us tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, we commit sin every time that we fail to do it.

IV. Another reason why lying should be abhorred is because it is dangerous. Even when God does not punish liars in this world, they will not escape in the next. Hear what the Bible says about it: "All liars have their portion in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (Revelation 21:8 ).

J. N. Norton, The King's Ferry-boat, p. 33.

References: Proverbs 12:22 . R. Newton, Bible Warnings, p. 114.Proverbs 12:26 . G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons, p. 178; H. Thompson, Concionalia: Outlines for Parochial Use, 2nd series, p. 419. Proverbs 13:12 . W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven, 1st series, p. 347. Proverbs 13:15 . Ibid., p. 352; R. Newton, Bible Warnings, p. 91.Proverbs 13:16-21 . R. Wardlaw, Lectures on Proverbs, vol. i., p. 347. 13 J. Irons, Thursday Penny Pulpit, vol. xv., p. 333.