Integrity costs something. It costs you the promotion you could get by cutting corners. It costs you the deal you could close by bending the truth. It costs you the advantage you’d gain by compromising just this once.
In a world where everyone else seems to be playing by different rules, doing the right thing can feel like you’re handicapping yourself. You watch people lie their way to the top, cheat and get rewarded, manipulate, and call it strategy. Meanwhile, you’re trying to maintain your integrity and wondering if anyone even notices or cares.
Here’s what matters: God notices. Every honest word when a lie would be easier. Every fair deal when you could take advantage. Every moment you choose character over convenience. Integrity isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about being the same person in public and private, keeping your word even when it hurts, and refusing to compromise your values for temporary gain. These verses show that God values integrity above success, and that living with honesty brings blessings shortcuts never could.
Bible Verses About Integrity And Honesty
1. Proverbs 10:9 – Whoever Walks in Integrity Walks Securely
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
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2. Proverbs 11:3 – The Integrity of the Upright Guides Them
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
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3. Psalm 15:1-2 – Who May Dwell in Your Sacred Tent?
Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart.
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4. Proverbs 12:22 – The Lord Detests Lying Lips
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
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5. Proverbs 28:6 – Better the Poor Whose Walk Is Blameless
Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.
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6. Luke 16:10 – Whoever Can Be Trusted With Very Little
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.
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7. Proverbs 11:1 – The Lord Detests Dishonest Scales
The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.
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8. Psalm 25:21 – May Integrity and Uprightness Protect Me
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.
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9. Proverbs 20:7 – The Righteous Lead Blameless Lives
The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.
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10. Titus 2:7-8 – In Everything Set Them an Example
In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
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11. Proverbs 19:1 – Better to Be Poor Than a Liar
Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.
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12. 2 Corinthians 8:21 – We Are Taking Pains to Do What Is Right
For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
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13. Psalm 41:12 – Because of My Integrity You Uphold Me
Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.
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14. Proverbs 16:8 – Better a Little With Righteousness
Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
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15. Colossians 3:9 – Do Not Lie to Each Other
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.
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16. Proverbs 21:3 – To Do What Is Right and Just
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
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17. Ephesians 4:25 – Each of You Must Put Off Falsehood
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
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18. Proverbs 12:19 – Truthful Lips Endure Forever
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
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19. 1 Peter 3:10-11 – Keep Your Tongue From Evil
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”
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20. Proverbs 24:26 – An Honest Answer Is Like a Kiss on the Lips
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
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21. Job 27:5 – I Will Not Deny My Integrity
I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity.
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22. Micah 6:8 – What Does the Lord Require of You?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
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23. Proverbs 6:16-17 – Seven Things the Lord Hates
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.
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24. Zechariah 8:16-17 – Speak the Truth to Each Other
These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this, declares the Lord.
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25. Philippians 4:8 – Whatever Is True, Whatever Is Noble
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
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26. Psalm 101:7 – No One Who Practices Deceit
No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.
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27. Proverbs 13:5 – The Righteous Hate What Is False
The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.
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28. Romans 12:17 – Be Careful to Do What Is Right
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
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29. 1 Timothy 3:9 – Keep Hold of the Deep Truths
They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
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30. Proverbs 29:24 – Partners With Thieves Are Their Own Enemies
The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies; they are put under oath and dare not testify.
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31. 2 Corinthians 4:2 – We Have Renounced Secret and Shameful Ways
Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
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32. Leviticus 19:11 – Do Not Steal, Do Not Lie
Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.
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33. Psalm 37:37 – Consider the Blameless, Observe the Upright
Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.
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34. Proverbs 14:5 – An Honest Witness Does Not Deceive
An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
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35. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 – You Are Witnesses of How Holy
You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.
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Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Integrity And Honesty
Integrity is who you are when nobody’s checking. It’s doing the right thing even when the wrong thing would be easier, more profitable, or completely undetectable. Scripture is relentless on this point: God hates dishonesty in all its forms. Lying lips, dishonest scales, crooked paths, deceptive words. He doesn’t grade on a curve or give passes for “little” lies. He values truth and hates deception because integrity reflects His character.
What’s striking is how much emphasis Scripture places on the long-term consequences of integrity versus dishonesty. Lies last only a moment, but truthful lips endure forever. The one who walks in integrity walks securely, but crooked paths eventually get exposed. You might gain something temporarily through dishonesty, but you lose something permanent: your character, God’s favor, and people’s trust. Meanwhile, integrity might cost you in the short term, but it builds something that can’t be taken away. God sees every honest moment when dishonesty would have been easier, and He rewards those who maintain their integrity even when it hurts.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, I want to be a person of integrity, but I need Your help. The temptation to cut corners, bend the truth, and compromise is constant. I’m surrounded by people who seem to get ahead by being dishonest, and it’s hard not to wonder if integrity even matters anymore.
Help me choose honesty even when a lie would be easier. Give me the courage to do what’s right even when it costs me something. Keep me from rationalizing small compromises that erode my character. Make me the same person in private as I am in public.
Convict me when I’m tempted to deceive, even in small ways. Give me a hatred for dishonesty and a love for truth. Help me remember that my integrity is worth more than any advantage I could gain by compromising it. Let my word be something people can trust completely.
Thank You that You see every moment I choose honesty over convenience. Help me to walk in integrity all my days, knowing that You’re the one I ultimately answer to.
In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.