Trees of Life & Knowledge

And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. - Genesis 2:9

Tree of Life imagery is prevalent throughout the world.

The Tree of Life shows up in ancient Mesopotamian tales about a man named Gilgamesh. He realized he was growing old and one day would die, so he searched for the only person who survived the world-wide flood, Utnapishtim, as he was the only immortal man he knows. Utnapishtim told him there's a tree under the seas that, while it won't grant eternal life, it has powers of rejuvenation. He explained that his own immortality was a privilege given by god alone. Gilgamesh was unsuccessful in obtaining this tree.

Ancient Egypt also had a tale about the Tree of Life, which stood for the "hierarchical chain of events that brought everything into existence (sivana)." The first couple, earth and sky, came from an acacia tree, which holds both life and death as two sides of a coin.

By their plentiful artwork, the ancient Assyrians held the Tree of Life to be very important. Although depictions usually show beings taking good care of it and has symbols which many theorize to mean creation, no one knows for certain what place exactly it held in their society or beliefs.

In Hinduism, a Tree of Life was a banyan tree. When the whole world was covered by a flood, this tree was the only one unaffected. It symbolized a part of ourselves that stays pure as long as we're rooted in spirituality.

In Mayan, Viking, and Celtic mythology, there is a massive, mystic tree which connects the whole of the universe (even invisible worlds) and the heavens, and it plays a large part in creation. This tree can be both Tree of Life and Tree of Knowledge simultaneously in its portrayal as a source of wisdom.

In Genesis, we are presented with humanity's first moral dilemma: the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. Trees generally symbolize a connection between the earth and the heavens, namely God. The Tree of Life, in the Bible, is a symbol of God's salvation, and Jesus' death on the cross. He died so that we may have life.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. - John 10:10

So, what is the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?

Let's look at a few verses:

The LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.' - Genesis 2:16-17

Then the Lord God said, ‘. . . Now, lest [the man] reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. - Genesis 3:22b-24

So, someone who eats of the tree of knowledge will die, and once someone is dead, they no longer have free access to salvation. They can't save themselves.

Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. -Genesis 3:22

This knowledge is forbidden to humans but something that God and angels already have.

And your servant thought, ‘The word of my lord the king will set me at rest,’ for my lord the king is like the angel of God to discern good and evil. The Lord your God be with you! 2 Samuel 14:17

However, people aren't born with this knowledge nor the ability to utilize it for good.

And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. -Deuteronomy 1:39

He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. -Isaiah 7:15

God didn't originally wants kings to rule His people, but only someone who has this knowledge would rule effectively. So, King Solomon asked for this, and God gave it to him along with wisdom (the ability to utilize that knowledge).

Give your servant (Solomon) therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people? - 1 Kings 3:9

It appears this wasn't a Good Tree/Bad Tree dynamic. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was neither evil nor poisoned. The more I study about it, the more it appears that it was a forbidden tree because the ability to determine good and evil was more knowledge than we could morally handle. Although they were both ways to connect us with God, only one was the right way. It reminds me of the Tower of Babel as they used their knowledge and skills to try to reach into the heavens (and save themselves from the judgement of God through another flood), and God scattered them to stall progress for a time (Genesis 11:1-9).

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. -Genesis 3:4-7

Here, they realize they're naked, as if that were a thing they could only know once they obtained knowledge of good and evil. Nakedness is not evil. God said everything was good as of yet in the garden. No, the fact they disobeyed God was evil. The fact that we thought we could know better than God what was good or delightful for us was evil. The fact that we know good and evil, but don't know what how to handle that knowledge, spreads evil like a cancer. For comparison, think about the technology we've developed and knowledge we've gained through the years that ended up in atomic bombs and warfare. Adam and Eve desired to hide their shame, but their method of covering up wasn't adequate.

The fruit of the Tree of Knowledge was a delight to the eyes because they were prideful of how good they would appear to have such knowledge. The tree was not wisdom itself, but the knowledge of knowing the difference between good and evil is needed in order to be wise (utilize the knowledge).

Later, when Jesus returns to walk among humans in the New Testament, came to spread the wisdom needed to utilize this influx of knowledge released by Adam and Eve.

The book of Revelation says that all is not hopeless. The Tree of Life is a river of rest and cleansing from our shame of mishandling the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. We will wash our clothes clean in it's waters, quench our thirst (unlike the Tree of Knowledge which brings a consuming hunger), heal from its leaves, and eat the fruit of everlasting life. We are invited back to the Eden of fruits and trees described in Genesis.

To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. - Revelation 2:7b

On either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. -Revelation 22:2

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. -Revelation 22:14

If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. -Revelation 22:19

Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. And in the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. - Genesis 2:9

Eden, itself, is a symbol of our first sacred place of worship, like a temple or church, where God and humanity walk together. In the very center of this garden, was placed both the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In Jewish temples, there was a place called the Holy of Holies, an area where only the priests could go. In this place, God resided, and it was separated from the rest of the temple by a thick veil. In a Jewish text, Midrash Tanhuma, explaining the temple and the holy of holies, it states:

Just as a navel is set in the middle of a person, so the land of Israel is the navel of the world [cf. Ezekiel 38:12; see also Ezekiel 5:5]. . . . The land of Israel sits at the center of the world; Jerusalem is in the center of the land of Israel; the sanctuary is in the center of Jerusalem; the Temple building is in the center of the sanctuary; the ark is in the center of the Temple building; and the foundation stone, out of which the world was founded, is before the Temple building.

The center of this first temple, Eden, was the holy of holiest places, where resided the trees. Some theories, both in Jewish and Christian traditions, hold the Tree to Knowledge was a veil of sorts before the Tree of Life. We all know this veil was torn when Jesus sacrificed His life on the cross.

In a way, Adam and Eve were seduced into thinking they could obtain knowledge of good and evil and gain wisdom, like God and the angels had, in order to save themselves and connect them with heaven. However, as we know, we're utterly incapable of saving ourselves (the angels failed in this too!) or of being truly like God.

We now all have access to the Tree of Life through Jesus.

God bless!


Sources other than Bible:

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/the-tree-of-life-and-the-tree-of-the-knowledge-of-god-and-evil/
https://www.biblicaltraining.org/blog/curious-christian/4-3-2012/what-tree-knowledge-good-and-evil

https://metode.org/issues/article-revistes/the-symbolism-of-trees.html
https://blog.sivanaspirit.com/sp-gn-what-is-the-tree-of-life/
https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/ascending-mountain-lord-temple-praise-and-worship-old-testament/tree-knowledge-veil

Prophets - Are You One?

Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. - Numbers 12:6

Are there prophets now, in the present, and how can we know they aren't just crazy people or con-men? Are you a prophet? Haha, yes I'm serious. Let's go down this rabbit-hole together, shall we?

Prophesying is one of many God-given gifts that can used for God's kingdom. It's not all about predicting future events. It's about being a spokesperson for God.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching. - Ephesians 4:11-13

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. - 1 Corinthians 14:1-5

One source states, "The foretelling of future events was not a necessary but only an incidental part of the prophetic office. The great task assigned to the prophets whom God raised up among the people was "to correct moral and religious abuses, to proclaim the great moral and religious truths which are connected with the character of God, and which lie at the foundation of his government." (talkjesus)

However, there's more to being a prophet than simply speaking God's known Word or teaching others about His ways. If you're good at that, then you have the gift of teaching. Being a prophet is about revelation, not necessarily about the future. A prophecy is never going to contradict what the Bible says, but it may reveal something new.

Definition of Prophet: "a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God" (dictionary.com)

What does it mean to be a spokesperson? They are essentially the voice of another, making official statements and advocating on their behalf. God's spokespeople have a few additional responsibilities. As exemplified by the many prophets of the Bible, they are to denounce sins and uphold righteousness and be a servant to others. Basically, if one is a prophet, they need to be a disciple of God too.

I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him. - Deuteronomy 18:18-19

I have also spoken by the prophets, and have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets. - Hosea 12:10

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. - Amos 3:7

Did you know that there was an official office of prophecy with a school to guide their gift back in the day?

Colleges, "schools of the prophets", were instituted for the training of prophets, who were constituted, a distinct order ( 1 Samuel 19:18-24 ; 2 Kings 1 Samuel 2:3 1 Samuel 2:15 ; 4:38 ), which continued to the close of the Old Testament. Such "schools" were established at Ramah, Bethel, Gilgal, Gibeah, and Jericho. The "sons" or "disciples" of the prophets were young men ( 2 Kings 5:22 ; 2 Kings 9:1 2 Kings 9:4 ) who lived together at these different "schools" ( 4:38-41 ). These young men were taught not only the rudiments of secular knowledge, but they were brought up to exercise the office of prophet, "to preach pure morality and the heart-felt worship of Jehovah, and to act along and co-ordinately with the priesthood and monarchy in guiding the state aright and checking all attempts at illegality and tyranny."

In New Testament times the prophetical office was continued. Our Lord is frequently spoken of as a prophet ( Luke 13:33 ; 24:19 ). He was and is the great Prophet of the Church. There was also in the Church a distinct order of prophets ( 1 Corinthians 12:28 ; Ephesians 2:20 ; 3:5 ), who made new revelations from God. They differed from the "teacher," whose office it was to impart truths already revealed. (talkjesus)

They have to be certain that what they're conveying to others is actually a message from God and not a figment of their imaginations or desire from their own hearts. God is adamant that His people believe and listen to His prophets, so if anything a prophet says is incorrect or turns out to be false, they are commanded to dismiss them as false prophets.

'Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper. - 2 Chronicles 20:20

They say to the seers, 'See no more visions!' and to the prophets, 'Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.' - Isaiah 30:10

As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophet will be known as one whom the LORD has truly sent. - Jeremiah 28:9

For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. - Matthew 24:24

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. - Isaiah 8:20

Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. - 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” The LORD said to me: “What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.” You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?” If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed. - Deuteronomy 18:15-22

In other words, God is asking that we not outright deny the sayings of those who speak on His behalf. You must listen, but you must also test them to make sure they are a true prophet. That goes for yourself. If you believe you may be a prophet or spokesperson of God, make sure that what you believe you are being told holds true through the fires of God's Word. If even one part doesn't line up with the Bible's message, it's not God. If any future event or detail predicted does not come true, it's not God.

I know it sounds crazy, but I firmly believe prophecy is not a temporary gift that was given out long ago. I think it's still out there, for God's children to bolster His kingdom.

And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. - Joel 2:28

See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. - Revelation 19:10

If you find out that you or someone else is tested true to be a prophet for the one true God, remember that the calling is one of danger and ridicule, back in the day as well as now. Stephen, a prophet and martyr, once stated, "Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute?” (Acts 7:52).

Since the Holy Spirit was spread amongst all nations who are Children of God, any one of us can converse directly with God. The gift of prophecy is one that takes that a step further by not only speaking personally with God about you and those around you. It's a monumental task of speaking on behalf of God to others, not "just" having a personal relationship and ability to converse with the God of the universe (although, speaking with God directly is a massive gift to have, all of disciples have that ability. If you don't think you have that, well, talk to God about it. :) Also, read my post named "God's Voice").

"On the day of Pentecost, Peter declared that unlike the more limited exercise of prophecy during the time of the old covenant, God would henceforth pour out his Spirit “on all people” (Acts 2:17). Peter said the result would be a fulfillment of God words: “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy” (Acts 2:17–18).

Prophetic ministry in the early church was widespread and diverse. A band of prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch, and one of them, Agabus, “stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world” (Acts 11:28). Prophets were active in the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1), Tyre (Acts 21:4), and Caesarea, where the four daughters of Philip prophesied (Acts 21:8–9). Prophecy, one of the gifts of the Spirit designed for edifying the body of Christ, was also utilized in the churches at Rome (Rom. 12:6), Corinth (1 Cor. 12:7–11; 14:1–40), Ephesus (Eph. 2:20; 4:11; see also Acts 19:1–7; 1 Tim. 1:18), and Thessalonica (1 Thess. 5:19–22)." (thegospelcoalition)

The Bible may seem full of fantastical things that we dismiss as past occurrences simply because we have a hard time believing they still occur every day. One of those things may be prophecy. His Spirit is on all of us disciples, but each of us have many varied and equally as important gifts. Some of us have more than one gift. It's important that if you feel you've been given a gift, no matter how the world may look at it, you speak with God about it, meditate on it, and bring it with you into discussions with your fellow believers. Test yourself and test those who say they are prophets. And don't take this lightly: If God gave you a gift, you better use it.



Sources other than Bible:
https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/prophets
https://www.talkjesus.com/threads/apostle-disciple-prophet-the-difference-explained.52204/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/sam-storms-what-does-scripture-teach-about-office-prophet-gift-prophecy/
https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/prophet-prophetess-prophecy/
https://bible.org/question/are-prophets-considered-teachers

We the Priests, the Warriors

This world can be full of troubles, death, and darkness. Most of us have felt helpless at some point in the face of the overwhelming atrocities.

As Christians, we are unique in that God has called upon us to be the light in this darkness, to be a source of hope in the midst of hopelessness.The unbelievers are annoyed by our constant replies that we will send "thoughts and prayers" to victims every time something occurs, yet nothing is put into action or changed to prevent the evil from occurring again. Of course they are! Don't automatically put up a wall when you hear the outpouring of anger against us when you can find wisdom in their words. Put your love of God above your pride and listen. Of course we must pray, pray always and without ceasing. However, we are called to be God's hands and feet, used by Him to lead the world to His way of love.

So, what can we do? How exactly can we accomplish that?

There's a popular, albeit fictional, story of an atheist professor who attempted to shame the believers in his classroom by calling into question the logic of a purely good God. He stated that if good and bad exist, and God created everything, then God created bad and is, therefore, not purely good. Without posting the story in its entirely, a student stood up and turned the questions around in order to show that, in the same manner that darknessand coldness does not exist in themselves but are the absence of light and heat, so too, evil is simply the absence of good and, therefore, God.

We are called to bring light and warmth to a dark and cold world. Anytime, there's a question of how, we can look to the Bible.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people to be his very own and to proclaim the wonderful deeds of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and exiles to keep on abstaining from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Continue to live such upright lives among the gentiles that, when they slander you as practicers of evil, they may see your good actions and glorify God when he visits them. " 1 Peter 2:8

You are a priest, and what did priests do? They lived their lives as examples of joy, love, and truth, as we are called to be examples to the world. They were those who had direct access to God and His messages, and they were responsible for announcing those messages to all those who would hear, as we are called to spread the gospel. They made sacrifices that appealed to God for others' sins and praised Him for their blessings, as we do when we pray. There's something else they did:

They separated the clean and unclean, the diseased from the healthy. If someone was diagnosed with a contagious disease, that person was quarantined away from everyone until he or she was declared no longer contagious. If someone was unclean for some reason or another, that person was made to stay outside of the encampment to keep from spreading diseases or making the clean unclean. Not to mention that the punishments for those who committed crimes against others were harsh and immediate.

What does this mean for us? We are called, as a holy people, to discern the unhealthy and unclean and push for the powers-that-be to separate them from the rest of us. If those who are unhealthy purposely harm others, we are called to push for the powers-that-be to punish those criminals.

You are a warrior, and what do warriors do? They do not rest in apathy. If you are a Christian, you are called into action as a priestly warrior of God. We all know the verse about the full armor of God:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." Ephesians 6:10-18

Another thing to remember is that we are all made gloriously different with varying points of view. What a shame if we didn't have the strength to see different dimensions and solutions to problems! Let us come together as brothers and sisters and not fight amongst ourselves, but hear each the other's opinions, so that we can find a way to shed God's light and love into the confused, blind, and horrified world.

And also, always, always pray.

Commandment Series: The Ninth

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." Exodus 20:16

The 9th commandment is a very specific requirement based on the ancient Jewish court system established in the Old Testament. Witnesses were called to testify against wrongdoers before any sentences were carried out against them. In this way, if you lied that someone was guilty in court, they could very wrongly be punished for someone else's transgressions. Punishment, of any type, given to an innocent would be horrible, but the sentences spelled out in the Old Testament were many times death. No wonder lying in court was forbidden in the very important ten commandments; it has to be one of the worst things a person can do.

Many say the 9th commandment itself is, strictly speaking, only touching upon the situation in which a person would lie, causing an innocent to be punished wrongly. However, as with all of God's laws, they are all about matters of the heart. Jesus brought this idea up during his Sermon on the Mount.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:33-37

You, as a child of God, need not make promises to others. The words you speak must be so consistently true that, when you open your mouth, every thing you utter is considered in stone. That is the way God is, and He expects us to follow His ways.

What about lies spoken/done in love? God is all about love, right? Satan, get thee behind me. If you think this, than know the world has twisted a truth into a lie, and made you believe it.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." 1 Corinthians 14:33

He even gives examples in the Bible where people lied in love and caused trouble. In Genesis, we see Rebekah wrapping her son Jacob in furs and deceiving the blind Isaac into giving blessings to him. She certainly was thinking this was done in love for the betterment of her son, but it only caused strife between brothers that lasts for years, making Jacob run away from a murderously angry Esau. Another example is when Abraham feared for his and his wife's life, causing him to lie to the pharaoh that Sarah was his sister and not wife. This caused the pharaoh to almost commit adultery, expelling them from his kingdom when he found out his deceit.

What about bending the truth , half-truths, or concealing the truth? Well, if anything you say has the intention of deceiving the other person, whether your words are literally truth or not, your heart is full of deceit. So, yes those are lies too. If you stand near a cliff, you don't see how close to the edge you get before you fall, you see how far BACK you can get. The Bible gives many examples of just this, but the most prominent one I can think of is that of Joseph. Remember Jacob? His most beloved son was Joseph for whom he made a beautiful coat of many colors. His brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy. In order to lie without lying (they thought), they covered his coat with animal blood and showed it to Jacob, saying only "Does this look like your son's coat?" They never lied, with words, but their hearts were full of the intent to deceive Jacob into thinking Joseph was dead.

So, you can lie with words, actions, half-truths, or simply concealing the truth with the intent to deceive. If you're lying in court or any other situation that would cause an innocent person to suffer, that's obviously the worst lie you could commit. However, every lie is wrong, and we should adhere to the truth even when it's painful. It is God's way, the way of light and love.

Need more verses about God's view on lying? They're innumerable. Well, maybe there's a number, but it's a really high one, so we won't be putting the vast majority here. Instead, here's a hand-selected few:

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-20

"'You will certainly not die,' the serpent said to the woman." Genesis 3:4

"The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." Proverbs 12:22

"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." Revelation 22:14-15