As in today's study...
18 To lie is to say something untruthful. (as in millions now living will never die, this generation will by no means pass away, allegations of pedophile abuse of children in congregations is apostate lies) However, Jehovah wants his people to go beyond not telling outright lies. He urged the ancient Israelites: “You should be holy, because I, Jehovah your God, am holy.” Then he gave examples of being holy. In part, God said: “You must not steal, you must not deceive, and you must not deal falsely with one another.” (Lev. 19:2, 11) Sadly, a person who makes it a point never to tell outright lies might still resort to deceiving others, dealing falsely with them. (as in Geoffrey Jackson saying what he did before the Australian royal commission)
Latter part of nest paragraph states...
You may know of similar instances of deliberate deception. Perhaps this
is done to avoid punishment or to profit at others’ expense. Even if no
outright lie is told, what of God’s direction: “You must not deceive”?
Think, too, of Romans 6:19, which says: “Present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.”