25 Powerful Bible Verses About Cheating (With Commentary)

Cheating, whether in relationships, business dealings, or other aspects of life, is contrary to the principles of honesty and integrity taught in the Bible. Here are 25 Bible verses about cheating, each with a brief commentary.

Bible Verses About Cheating

Proverbs 11:1

“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.”

Deception in business transactions is detestable to God, who values honesty and fairness.

Proverbs 20:23

“Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good.”

Dishonesty in measurements or dealings is condemned, as it distorts fairness and integrity.

Leviticus 19:11

“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.”

God commands honesty and prohibits deceitful behavior among His people.

Proverbs 12:22

“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”

God delights in those who uphold truthfulness and integrity, despising deceitful speech.

Proverbs 16:11

“A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.”

God expects fairness and honesty in all dealings, as He is the ultimate standard of justice.

1 Thessalonians 4:6

“That no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.”

Cheating or wronging others is warned against, for God will bring justice to those who engage in such behavior.

Proverbs 6:16-19

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

God detests deceit and cheating among His people, considering it an abomination.

Micah 6:11

“Shall I acquit the man with wicked scales and with a bag of deceitful weights?”

God condemns those who use dishonest measures and deceitful practices in their dealings.

Hosea 12:7

“A merchant, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress.”

Those who cheat and oppress others through deceitful practices are condemned.

Amos 8:5

“Saying, ‘When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances,”

Cheating and dishonesty in commerce are denounced, especially exploiting religious observances for personal gain.

James 5:4

“Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.”

Withholding rightful wages through deceitful practices brings condemnation from God.

Proverbs 20:10

“Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.”

God expects fairness and integrity in all transactions, condemning cheating and deceitful practices.

Bible Verses About Cheating

Proverbs 21:6

“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.”

Wealth acquired through deceit is fleeting and brings spiritual harm, contrasting with the lasting value of honest gain.

Proverbs 22:16

“Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.”

Exploiting the vulnerable or engaging in deceitful practices for personal gain ultimately leads to ruin.

Jeremiah 17:11

“Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool.”

Wealth obtained through dishonesty will not endure, leading to disgrace and loss.

Proverbs 28:8

“Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.”

Illegitimate gain through exploitation will ultimately benefit others, as God upholds justice.

Proverbs 11:18

“The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.”

Dishonest gain brings only temporary satisfaction, while righteousness leads to lasting rewards.

James 4:17

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

Failure to act with honesty and integrity, knowing what is right, constitutes sin before God.

Proverbs 13:11

“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”

Dishonest gain is fleeting and will not endure, contrasting with the steady growth of honest wealth.

Proverbs 21:15

“When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”

The righteous rejoice in justice, while evildoers fear its consequences, including the exposure of cheating and deceit.

Proverbs 15:27

“Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.”

Pursuing dishonest gain brings trouble and discord within the family, while integrity leads to a blessed life.

Ephesians 4:28

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”

Believers are called to abandon dishonesty and engage in honest labor, sharing with those in need.

Proverbs 10:2

“Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.”

Ill-gotten gains offer no lasting benefit, while righteousness leads to deliverance from spiritual death.

Proverbs 15:16

“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.”

Integrity and reverence for God are more valuable than great wealth obtained through deceit and trouble.

1 Corinthians 6:10

“Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

Those who cheat and engage in dishonest practices will not inherit God’s kingdom, emphasizing the seriousness of such behavior in His sight.