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Lying / Lying Spirit

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Spiritual Life › Lying / Lying Spirit

The question

In the Holy Book of 1 Kings 22:20-23, a lying spirit is mentioned. Is this a lying spirit from God? If so how can that be?

The answer

God permitted a lying spirit to influence the prophets. The Holy Scriptures repeatedly represent God as doing what He only permits to be done Nothing can be done in heaven, on earth, or hell, but either by his immediate energy or permission. This is the reason why the Holy Scripture speaks as above.

God has permitted the spirit of lying to influence the whole of the prophets. Zedekiah was fairly warned; he had counsels from the God of truth, and counsels from the spirit of falsity. He persistently disregarded the former and followed the latter. By this parable, he was shown everything and that all was under the control and direction of God, and that it was still possible for him to make God his friend. However, he would not; so his blood was therefore upon his own head.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 301 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.