God Cannot Lie

God Cannot LieText: Hebrews 6:18

In our text, the Hebrew writer made the point that “it is impossible for God to lie.” Paul made the same point in his letter to Titus: “…God, who cannot lie…” (Titus 1:2). The Hebrew writer used this point to explain our source of encouragement and reason for hope. Why is it “impossible for God to lie” and what does that mean for us?

Why Can God Not Lie?

  • His nature is perfect – He is not like man (Numbers 23:19), does not lie or need to repent; there is no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5); therefore, we must strive to be like Him (Matthew 5:48); contrast this with the devil, “the father of lies” (John 8:44)
  • He has no desire to deceive – God cannot be tempted with evil (James 1:13); He desires all to be saved and come to know the truth (1 Timothy 2:4); the devil is the deceiver (2 Corinthians 11:3); Jesus came so we could know the truth (John 18:37; 8:31-32)
  • He is all-powerful – one may not have spoken with intent to deceive, but failed to fulfill a promise; for various reasons, we may fail to do things we intend to do (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:15-17); this is not the case with God; He created all things (Psalm 33:6-9) and can do more than we think (Ephesians 3:20)
  • He is all-knowing – one may not have intended to deceive, but made inaccurate/incomplete statements in ignorance; because of our limited knowledge, we cannot accurately predict the future (Ecclesiastes 8:7; James 4:13-15); there is nothing hidden from God (Hebrews 4:13); He can declare the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10)

Because God Cannot Lie…

  • Believe His word – if God cannot lie then His word is truth (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17); His word was confirmed with miracles (Hebrews 2:1-4; Mark 16:20); the Scriptures cannot be broken (John 10:35); His word will endure forever (1 Peter 1:25)
  • Trust His promises – through faith and patience we inherit God’s promises (Hebrews 6:12); God swore by Himself in His promise to Abraham (Hebrews 6:13-16); God has not changed (Hebrews 6:17); by faith we trust God to reward those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6); we entrust our souls to Him (1 Peter 4:19)
  • Look forward in hope – God made a promise and an oath, “two unchangeable things” (Hebrews 6:17-18); this gives us “strong encouragement” that we will receive our hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14); this hope is an anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19) that keeps us grounded (cf. Hebrews 11:24-26; Ephesians 4:14)
  • Maintain faithfulness – example of Abraham who lived by faith (Hebrews 11:8-10) and died in faith (Hebrews 11:13); we must “hold fast the confession of our hope” (Hebrews 10:23); be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10); “do not throw away your confidence” (Hebrews 10:35) or “shrink back to destruction” (Hebrews 10:39)

Conclusion

  • God cannot lie – therefore, we have hope
  • But to take advantage of this, we must believe Him – live by faith
  • God will never lie – but if we do not believe His words, they will not be of any benefit to us