Questions and Answers
Does God Lie?
In this case, we need understand what "sending forth lying spirits" means. It is not the same as actually lying yourself.
In 1 Kings 22:21-22, for example, God does not lie directly nor approve of nor sanction man's lying. One could argue that all that happens on earth is permitted by God - He could stop it if He saw fit. He even permitted Satan to cause Job to suffer - a much more interesting case. But that does not mean that He is the source of all such things. They just afford Him opportunities, as here, to accomplish what He is after.
As they are useful to Him, He permits them to continue for a season. Like Judas. Eventually, those instruments no longer useful, all such spirits and men will be judged by being cast into the eternal lake of fire. That is neither approval nor sanction, but merely proof of God's sovereignty.The basic point is that by allowing the spirit to lie, God is not Himself lying. After all, God allows us all to lie, but He is not a liar for allowing us to lie.
- Hebrews 6:18 - It is impossible for God to lie
- 2 Thessalonians 2:11 - God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie
- 1 Kings 22:23 - The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours
