53+ Bible Verses About Lying and Deceit

Deceit and falsehood have been concerns for humans since time immemorial. We often find ourselves tangled in the web of deceit, either as the ones being deceived or the ones weaving the web. The weight of these actions presses upon our hearts, and we yearn for guidance on approaching such situations.

From a Christian perspective, the Bible is a compass, leading believers on the right path. This article delves into 56 Bible verses and references 7 poignant Christian quotes to shed light on lying and deceit. Read on and journey through scripture to gain a comprehensive understanding of this pressing matter.

The Origin of Deceit

"When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

- John 8:44

"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die."

- Genesis 3:4

"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies."

- Matthew 15:19

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone."

- Revelation 21:8

"And Adam said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat."

- Genesis 3:12

"The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death."

- Proverbs 21:6

"A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish."

- Proverbs 19:9

God's View on Lying

"Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight."

- Proverbs 12:22

"Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another."

- Leviticus 19:11

"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood."

- Proverbs 6:16-17

"The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."

- Psalm 145:18

"Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous."

- Psalm 31:18

"He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known."

- Proverbs 10:9

"Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom."

- Psalm 51:6

Consequences of Lying

"But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD."

- 2 Samuel 11:27

"Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer."

- Psalm 101:5

"A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly."

- Proverbs 21:28

"A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies."

- Proverbs 14:5

"He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit."

- Proverbs 12:17

"He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight."

- Psalm 101:7

"The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment."

- Proverbs 12:19

Seeking Truth and Honesty

"Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."

- Psalm 25:5

"Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth."

- Psalm 119:151

"Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name."

- Psalm 86:11

"Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding."

- Proverbs 23:23

"The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity."

- Malachi 2:6

"For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips."

- Proverbs 8:7

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

- John 17:17

Deceitful Actions and Their Impact on Relationships

"A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."

- Proverbs 11:13

"He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool."

- Proverbs 10:18

"He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends."

- Proverbs 17:9

"An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression."

- Proverbs 29:22

"Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD."

- Leviticus 19:16

"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another."

- Ephesians 4:25

"Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile."

- Psalm 34:13

Repentance and Redemption from Deceit

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

- 1 John 1:9

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."

- Proverbs 28:13

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."

- Acts 3:19

"Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."

- James 5:20

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."

- 2 Corinthians 7:10

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

- James 4:8

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

- Psalm 103:12

Deceit in the Last Days

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"

- 1 Timothy 4:1

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

- Matthew 24:24

"Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."

- 2 Timothy 3:13

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

- 2 Peter 2:1

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

- 1 John 4:1

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ."

- 2 Corinthians 11:13

"Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them."

- Luke 21:8

The Nature of the Deceiver

"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

- John 8:44

"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

- Revelation 12:9

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

- 2 Corinthians 4:4

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

- 1 Peter 5:8

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

- Ephesians 6:11

"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

- 2 Corinthians 11:14

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

- James 4:7

The Blessings of Truth and Integrity

"The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them."

- Proverbs 11:3

"Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool."

- Proverbs 19:1

"Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight."

- Proverbs 12:22

"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him."

- Proverbs 20:7

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

- 2 Corinthians 1:12

"Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven."

- Psalm 85:11

"Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide."

- Psalm 26:1

The Value of Wisdom in Discerning Deceit

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."

- Matthew 10:16

"The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going."

- Proverbs 14:15

"Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding."

- Proverbs 23:23

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished."

- Proverbs 22:3

"For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."

- Proverbs 2:6

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"

- Ephesians 4:14

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,"

- Ephesians 5:15

Reflections on Truth and Deceit by Christian Thinkers

"Truth is the agreement of our ideas with the ideas of God."

- Jonathan Edwards

"Of all bad men, religious bad men are the worst."

- C.S. Lewis

"Truth fears nothing but concealment."

- Augustine of Hippo

"Deception may give us what we want for the present, but it will always take it away in the end."

- Rachel C. Scott

"Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth-telling, truth-speaking, truth-living, and truth-loving."

- James E. Faust

"Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching."

- C.S. Lewis

Embracing Truth in a World of Deceit

"Therefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another."

- Ephesians 4:25

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

- John 14:6

"The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment."

- Proverbs 12:19

As we journey through life, we must value truth and steer clear of deceit. The Bible's teachings underscore the significance of being honest, recognizing falsehood, and ensuring we walk in the path our Lord, Jesus Christ, laid out. By holding onto these teachings and reflecting upon the wisdom of revered Christian thinkers, we equip ourselves to navigate the world's challenges with integrity and faith.