Honesty and integrity are foundational virtues in the Christian faith, while lying and deceit are condemned as destructive and sinful behaviors. Join us as we examine verses that shed light on the consequences of lying and deceit, offering wisdom and guidance for living a life of truthfulness and integrity that honors God and builds trust in relationships.
Bible Verses About Lying And Deceit
Proverbs 12:22 – God delights in honesty and integrity
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 – Deceit is one of the things God hates
“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.”
Colossians 3:9 – We are called to speak truthfully to one another
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”
Ephesians 4:25 – Truth should be our foundation in relationships
“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Mark 7:21-23 – Lies originate from the heart
“For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
Proverbs 19:5 – Deceit leads to repercussions
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.”
Psalms 101:7 – Integrity matters to God
“No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”
Revelation 21:8 – Liars face serious consequences
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Proverbs 10:18 – Hatred often breeds deceit
“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”
1 John 2:21 – Truth is essential in our faith
“I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.”
Proverbs 14:5 – A faithful witness is invaluable
“An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.”
Jeremiah 9:5 – Deceit is rampant among people
“Everyone deceives their neighbor and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.”
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.”
Proverbs 30:8 – We need to avoid falsehood
“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”
Isaiah 59:14 – Justice is compromised by deceit
“So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.”
Titus 1:2 – God cannot lie
“In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.”
Proverbs 11:3 – Integrity guides the righteous
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”
Romans 3:13 – The tongue can be deceitful
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips.”
Psalms 120:2 – We must seek deliverance from deceitful lips
“Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.”
James 3:14 – Envy and selfish ambition lead to falsehood
“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.”
Proverbs 24:28 – We should not be involved in deceitful practices
“Do not testify against your neighbor without cause—would you use your lips to mislead?”
Exodus 20:16 – We are commanded not to bear false witness
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
2 Corinthians 4:2 – We must renounce deceptive practices
“Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.”
Micah 6:11 – God questions those who deal falsely
“Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house, and the short measure that is accursed?”
Ecclesiastes 7:7 – Oppression can lead to lies
“Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.”
Proverbs 29:12 – Leadership and deceit go hand in hand
“If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.”
Luke 16:10 – Faithfulness in truth leads to greater responsibility
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
Matthew 7:15 – Beware of false prophets
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Proverbs 25:18 – A false witness is damaging
“Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.”
Psalms 26:4-5 – We must distance ourselves from deceitful practices
“I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.”
Zechariah 8:16 – We are called to speak truthfully
“These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts.”
1 Peter 2:1 – We should rid ourselves of deceit
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
Hebrews 6:18 – God cannot lie, and so we trust His promises
“God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.”
Proverbs 28:23 – Confronting deception is often necessary
“Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.”
2 Peter 2:1 – False teachers will 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.”