When Christ described the devil, he said he was the father of lies, but he also said he was a murderer from the beginning. What did he mean by that? How was he a murderer being unembodied? There is a clue to this in Revelations:
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” — Revelations 12:7-9
From the war in Heaven, Satan was responsible for the spiritual death of those who followed him, and he continues to be responsible for spiritual death. Through his lies he “deceiveth the whole world,” even into death.
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” — Revelations 21:8
When we understand that the line behind truth and lies is as clear as day and not, Christ and the anti-Christ, then we can understand why God has said he hates a lying tongue. A lie is an abomination in the sight of God.
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
“A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
“An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
“A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
— Proverbs 6:16-19
“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” — 1 John 2:22
“The devil, who is the father of all lies.” — 2 Nephi 2:18, Book of Mormon
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. — Revelations 22:14-15
“Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer… He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. — Psalms 101:5-7
“And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord… They have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord.” — Jeremiah 9:3-6
“He flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.” — 2 Nephi 28:22, Book of Mormon
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
“Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
“He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
“When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
“Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
“Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
“A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
— Proverbs 26:22-28
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