The Bible warns about those who deceive others. These verses provide guidance on how to recognize and avoid deceit, encouraging us to walk in truth and integrity.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Everlasting Life
Bible Verses About Deceivers
Matthew 7:15 – Beware of false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” – Matthew 7:15
1 John 4:1 – Do not believe every spirit but test them
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – 1 John 4:1
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 – Satan disguises himself as an angel of light
“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.” – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
2 Peter 2:1 – False prophets will secretly introduce destructive heresies
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.” – 2 Peter 2:1
1 Timothy 4:1 – In the latter times, some will abandon the faith and follow deceitful spirits
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” – 1 Timothy 4:1
Matthew 24:11 – Many false prophets will arise and deceive many
“And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” – Matthew 24:11
2 Timothy 4:3-4 – People will turn away from the truth and turn to false teachers
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Mark 13:22 – False messiahs and false prophets will perform signs and wonders
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” – Mark 13:22
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 – The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by counterfeit miracles
“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
Galatians 1:6-8 – Do not be deceived by a different gospel
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” – Galatians 1:6-8
Proverbs 14:15 – The simple believes everything but the prudent gives thought to their steps
“The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” – Proverbs 14:15
Colossians 2:8 – Beware of being taken captive by empty philosophies and deceit
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” – Colossians 2:8
2 John 1:7 – Many deceivers have gone out into the world
“I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.” – 2 John 1:7
Revelation 20:10 – The devil, the deceiver, will be thrown into the lake of fire
“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” – Revelation 20:10
John 8:44 – The devil is the father of lies
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44
Ephesians 5:6 – Do not be deceived by empty words
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.” – Ephesians 5:6
2 Corinthians 11:3 – The serpent deceived Eve by his cunning
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 11:3
Proverbs 19:5 – A false witness will not go unpunished
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.” – Proverbs 19:5
Romans 16:17-18 – Avoid those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to sound doctrine
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.” – Romans 16:17-18
Jeremiah 9:6 – Be on guard against your neighbor; do not trust anyone
“You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit, they refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the Lord. – Jeremiah 9:6
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad company corrupts good character
“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Proverbs 12:22 – The Lord detests lying lips
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” – Proverbs 12:22
Proverbs 20:17 – Bread obtained by deceit is sweet to a person, but afterwards, their mouth will be full of gravel
“Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.” – Proverbs 20:17
Proverbs 26:24-25 – An enemy disguises themselves with their lips, but in their heart they harbor deceit
“Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.” – Proverbs 26:24-25
Psalm 120:2-3 – Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue
“Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?” – Psalm 120:2-3
Proverbs 6:16-19 – The Lord hates a lying tongue, a false witness who pours out lies
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” – Proverbs 6:16-19
Proverbs 14:25 – A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful
“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.” – Proverbs 14:25
Proverbs 21:28 – A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully
“A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.” – Proverbs 21:28
Psalm 5:6 – The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful
“You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful people the Lord detests.” – Psalm 5:6
Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” – Jeremiah 17:9
Proverbs 25:18 – Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor
“Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.” – Proverbs 25:18
Proverbs 19:9 – A false witness will not go unpunished and whoever pours out lies will perish
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.” – Proverbs 19:9
Jeremiah 5:26-27 – Israel’s house is full of deceit, they refuse to know Him
“Among my people are the wicked who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch people. Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful.” – Jeremiah 5:26-27
Proverbs 26:26 – Though their hatred is concealed by deceit, their wickedness will be exposed
“Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.” – Proverbs 26:26
Proverbs 10:18 – Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool
“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.” – Proverbs 10:18
Proverbs 26:28 – A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin
“A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” – Proverbs 26:28
Ephesians 4:25 – We are members of one another, therefore, speak the truth with our neighbors
“Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” – Ephesians 4:25
Psalm 101:7 – No one who practices deceit shall dwell in the Lord’s house
“No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.” – Psalm 101:7
Proverbs 24:28 – Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, with deceit or malice
“Do not testify against your neighbor without cause—would you use your lips to mislead?” – Proverbs 24:28
John 14:6 – Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Him
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6
Psalm 120:1 – Deliver me from lying lips and a deceitful tongue
“I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?” – Psalm 120:1-3
Exodus 20:16 – You shall not give false testimony
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” – Exodus 20:16
Psalms 144:8 – Keep me safe from the deceitful and wicked, deliver me from the reign of lies
“whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.” – Psalm 144:8
1 Peter 3:10 – Let no one deceive you with vain words, for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.
“Who is he who will harm you if you are imitators of that which is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.“ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear; having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ. For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.” – 1 Peter 3:13-17
James 3:14 – If you lie that would be wisdom against the truth
“But if you have bitter envy after that, and strife in your hearts, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.” – James 3:14
Romans 3:4 – Let god be true and every man a liar
“Let it not be! However, let God be found true and every man a liar. As it is written, “That you might be justified in your words, And might prevail when you come into judgment.”” – James 3:14