[Greek] ψεύδομαι (pseudomai), [Latin] mendacium, [Latin] mentire, [German] lügen: to lie, to misinform, to be false; Mt.5:11, Acts 5:3-4, Rom.9:1, 2Cor.11:31, Gal.1:20, Col.3:9, 1Tim.2:7, Heb.6:18, Jas.3:14, 1Jn.6
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term, used in various ways, means to be false, to deceive, to deceive about something, to be deceived, to deceive oneself, to speak falsely, to play, to lie, and to feign. Sophists can uses deceptive (clever) arguments to justify their positions. Sophistry often blurs the line between objective and subjective reality.
Sophocles’ Antigone 389: “There is nothing that a man rightly swears he will not do. For a second thought belies one’s first intent.”
Xenophon’s Memorabilia 4.2.19: “Consider deception practiced on friends to their detriment. Which is the more unjust deception, the intentional or unintentional?”
Hesiod’s Works and Days 283: “But whoever deliberately lies in his witness and forswears himself, that man’s generation is left obscure forever.”
Plato’s Laws 5.730c: “But untrustworthy is the man who loves the voluntary lie; and senseless is the man who loves the involuntary lie. As time goes on, he is found out.”
Hesiod’s Theogony 27: “We know how to speak many false things as though they were true, but we know, when we will utter true things.”
Old Testament: This term means to lie, to deceive, to bear false witness, to be unfaithful, to spread false prophecy, to worship idols, and to be apostate,
Walking with God: The imagery of walking is quite often associated with a code of conduct and adherence to rules (laws). This essentially means walking on the right path (with God).
New Testament: This term means to be false, to make false statements, and to lie.
Mt. 5:11: “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of Me.” (Jesus declares God’s favor upon disciples whose faithfulness brings suffering. Believers may face public scorn, mockery, false accusations, hostility, slander, ridicule, violence, persecution, and martyrdom. Union with Christ gives persecution meaning, honor, vindication, and glory.)
“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.” Jas.3:14
One needs to know the difference between being wise and pretending to be wise. True wisdom comes from up above.
“If we say, ‘We have fellowship with Him,’ while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth.” 1Jn.6
To walk in darkness means to live and act in sin, error, and depravity.