Lying and deceit are not only moral failings but deeply destructive forces that distort truth and fracture relationships.
The Bible is clear: dishonesty harms not only the person who lies but also the community and the world at large.
Deceit separates us from the truth of God, and its consequences are far-reaching.
Yet, in a world where falsehoods often seem easy to accept, the Scriptures stand as a guide to living with integrity.
These 35 Bible verses about lying and deceit remind us of the importance of truthfulness and the harmful effects of dishonesty.
By embracing God’s truth, we can free ourselves from the chains of deceit and walk in His light.
Bible Verses About Lies and Deceit
1. Proverbs 12:22 – Lying Is Detestable to God
“lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.”
2. Revelation 21:8 – The Fate of Liars
“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: which is the second death.”
3. Proverbs 6:16-17 – What God Hates
“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.”
4. John 8:44 – The Father of Lies
“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.”
5. Psalm 101:7 – The Deceitful Shall Not Dwell with God
“He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.”
6. Proverbs 19:5 – Liars Will Be Punished
“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.”
7. Colossians 3:9 – Put Away Lying
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;”
8. Proverbs 14:5 – A Faithful Witness
“A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.”
9. Ephesians 4:25 – Speak the Truth
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”
10. Proverbs 24:28 – Avoid False Witness
“Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.”
11. Psalm 119:29 – Keep Me from Falsehood
“Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.”
12. Zechariah 8:16 – Speak Truthfully
“These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates.”
13. Proverbs 20:17 – The Sweetness of Deception
“Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.”
14. 1 John 2:21 – No Lie in the Truth
“I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.”
15. Matthew 15:19 – The Source of Evil Thoughts
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”
16. Luke 16:10-11 – Faithfulness in Little Things
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”
17. Romans 3:13 – Deceitful Tongue
“Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips.”
18. Proverbs 4:24 – Keep Your Speech Pure
“Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.”
19. Jeremiah 9:5 – Deceit Among People
“And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and wearied themselves to commit iniquity.”
20. Proverbs 26:28 – The Danger of Lying
“A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”
21. Proverbs 12:19 – Truth Endures
“The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
22. Titus 1:2 – The God Who Cannot Lie
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”
23. Proverbs 19:9 – The Consequences of Falsehood
“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.”
24. 1 Peter 2:1 – Put Away Deceit
“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,”
25. Psalm 34:13 – Speak the Truth
“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”
26. Isaiah 59:3 – Deceitful Actions Lead to Separation
“For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.”
27. Proverbs 17:7 – Integrity Is Far Better Than Lies
“Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.”
28. Proverbs 21:6 – The Deceitful Gain Nothing
“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.”
29. Jeremiah 9:6 – The Deceitful Nature of Hearts
“Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord.”
30. Matthew 7:15 – Beware of False Prophets
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
31. Proverbs 14:25 – The Truth Saves
“A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.”
32. 1 John 1:6 – Fellowship with God Requires Truth
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.”
33. Proverbs 11:3 – Integrity Guides the Upright
“The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.”
34. Psalm 120:2 – Deliverance from Deceit
“Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.”
35. Proverbs 6:16-19 – The Lord Hates Deceit
“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.”
Our Thoughts On What The Bible Says About Lies and Deceit
The Bible unequivocally condemns lying and deceit, viewing them as a direct violation of God’s truth and righteousness.
Lying disrupts relationships, destroys trust, and distances us from the heart of God.
Each verse reinforces the importance of living truthfully, with integrity and reflecting the character of Christ.
Honesty is not just about words; it’s about living a life of transparency and righteousness.
The consequences of deceit are severe, but the reward of truth is peace, reconciliation, and divine favor.
As followers of Christ, we are called to speak the truth in love and walk in the light of God’s Word.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, we repent of all deceit in our lives, whether in word or action.
Help us to walk in Your truth, speaking with integrity and love.
May we always reflect Your righteousness and avoid the harm that lies bring.
Strengthen us to resist the temptation to deceive and empower us to live in honesty, building trust with others and growing closer to You.
We surrender our tongues to You, asking for purity and truthfulness in all that we say. In Jesus’ name, Amen.