Pure Truth

Pure Truth

It is impossible for God to lie.

Hebrews 6:18

IN WORD On the surface, this declaration does not startle us. Of course God doesn’t lie. He is the truth. He defines truth and is the standard all things are measured by. He is the only truly absolute being in this or any universe. Whatever He says is, by definition, true.

Furthermore, we’re well trained in the idea that God is honest. He does not deceive. He who tells us to be faithful and trustworthy is Himself faithful and trustworthy. He who has no corruption in Him cannot utter corrupt words. No, of course God doesn’t lie. So we quickly move on to other, more theologically intriguing verses.

But stop and consider this assertion, spelled out both in Titus and Hebrews and implied in other places throughout the Bible. God can’t lie. It’s impossible for Him to do so. Forget the contradictory riddles posed by pseudo-theologians, idle speculations such as whether God can create a rock so large that He cannot move it. And forget also, when it comes to God’s character, the oft-repeated biblical truth that “nothing is impossible with God.” Certainly no event, no problem, no catastrophe is too great for Him. But when it comes to His character, there are impossibilities. There are things He cannot do. He cannot contradict His own nature, and He cannot cease to be the holy, loving, infinite, immortal, all-wise, all-powerful God. He cannot cease to be Himself.

Think of the implications! Every word that God has ever uttered to you—by any means of revelation—every word is inviolable. When God says He delivers His people from all their troubles (Psalm 34:17), He does. Why? He cannot lie. When God says that those who delight in Him will be given the desires of their heart (Psalm 37:4), they will. Why? Because God cannot lie.

IN DEED Every promise ever uttered by our God is unbreakable. There is no fine print, because God does not deceive. He does not bait and switch. He does not equivocate. He does not renege. His words to you are surer than the sun coming up tomorrow. He does not, cannot lie.

God is the God of promise. He keeps His word, even when that seems impossible.

—COLIN URQUHART