The Bible warns us about the dangers of deception, especially as we approach the last days. It’s important to stay vigilant, grounded in truth, and aware of false teachings. Let’s explore verses that give us wisdom and guidance on how to navigate a world filled with deception.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Keeping Your Head Up
Bible Verses About Deception In The Last Days
Matthew 24:4 – Jesus warned us not to be deceived in the last days
“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” – Matthew 24:4
2 Timothy 3:13 – Deception will increase in the last days
“while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” – 2 Timothy 3:13
Matthew 24:24 – False prophets and false messiahs will deceive many
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” – Matthew 24:24
2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 – Those who refuse to love the truth will be deceived
“and with all the deceit of unrighteousness in those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11
1 John 4:1 – Test the spirits to avoid being deceived
“Beloved, 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 11:14 – Satan disguises himself as an angel of light
“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” – 2 Corinthians 11:14
Matthew 24:11 – Many false prophets will arise and deceive many
“and many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.” – Matthew 24:11
Matthew 24:5 – False christs will deceive many
“For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” – Matthew 24:5
Mark 13:22 – False christs and false prophets will perform signs and wonders to deceive
“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.” – Mark 13:22
Ephesians 5:6 – Do not be deceived by empty words
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” – Ephesians 5:6
1 Timothy 4:1 – Some will fall away from the faith due to deceptive spirits and teachings
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” – 1 Timothy 4:1
2 Timothy 3:13 – Evil people and impostors will deceive others
“while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” – 2 Timothy 3:13
Proverbs 14:8 – The cleverness of deceivers leads to destruction
“The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.” – Proverbs 14:8
Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” – Jeremiah 17:9
Proverbs 26:24-25 – Deceit is like a kiss from an enemy
“Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.” – Proverbs 26:24-25
Proverbs 20:17 – Bread gained by deceit is sweet at first but turns to gravel
“Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.” – Proverbs 20:17
Proverbs 12:22 – Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” – Proverbs 12:22
2 Corinthians 11:3 – Satan can deceive us from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ
“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 11:3
Galatians 6:7 – Do not be deceived, God is not mocked
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” – Galatians 6:7
1 Peter 5:8 – Be alert, for the devil seeks to deceive us
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
1 Corinthians 6:9 – Do not be deceived, those who practice sin will not inherit the kingdom of God
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality.” – 1 Corinthians 6:9
James 1:16 – Do not be deceived, every good and perfect gift comes from God
“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” – James 1:16
James 1:22 – Be doers of the word and not just hearers, deceiving yourselves
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22
Romans 16:18 – Watch out for those who deceive with smooth talk
“For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” – Romans 16:18
Jeremiah 9:6 – Deception is a way of life for some people
“Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit, they refuse to know me, declares the Lord.” – Jeremiah 9:6
Proverbs 20:14 – Deceit lurks in the hearts of those who plan evil
“‘Bad, bad,’ says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.” – Proverbs 20:14
Proverbs 24:28 – Do not deceive with false witness against your neighbor
“Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.” – Proverbs 24:28
Proverbs 11:18 – The wicked earn deceptive wages
“The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.” – Proverbs 11:18
Proverbs 10:18 – Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips and deceives others
“The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.” – Proverbs 10:18
Jeremiah 14:14 – False prophets prophesy lies and deceive the people
“And the Lord said to me: ‘The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.” – Jeremiah 14:14
Colossians 2:8 – Be cautious and not deceived by philosophy and empty deceit
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” – Colossians 2:8
Revelation 20:10 – The devil, the deceiver, will eventually be thrown into the lake of fire
“and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” – Revelation 20:10
Joshua 9:22 – Joshua and the Israelites were deceived by the Gibeonites
“Joshua summoned them, and he said to them, ‘Why did you deceive us, saying, “We are very far from you,” when you dwell among us?” – Joshua 9:22
2 Corinthians 11:13 – False apostles masquerade as servants of righteousness
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 11:13
1 Timothy 2:14 – Eve was deceived by the serpent
“and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” – 1 Timothy 2:14
Proverbs 23:3 – Do not desire the delicacies of deceitful food
“Do not desire his delicacies, for it is deceptive food.” – Proverbs 23:3
Proverbs 12:17 – Truthful witnesses save lives, but those who bear false witness deceive
“Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.” – Proverbs 12:17
Proverbs 29:12 – Kings who listen to lies will have all their officials become wicked
“If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.” – Proverbs 29:12
Psalm 52:2 – The tongue of the wicked devises destruction and speaks deceit
“Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.” – Psalm 52:2
Ephesians 4:14 – We should not be children, tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine
“so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” – Ephesians 4:14
Isaiah 30:10 – They say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right”
“They say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions.” – Isaiah 30:10
Colossians 2:4 – Believers should not be deluded by plausible arguments
“I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.” – Colossians 2:4
2 Corinthians 4:2 – We should renounce hidden things of dishonesty and not deceive others
“But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:2
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad company corrupts good character
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Proverbs 1:10 – Sinners entice and say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood”
“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” – Proverbs 1:10
Proverbs 11:9 – With their mouths, the godless destroy their neighbors
“With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.” – Proverbs 11:9