25 Powerful Bible Verses About Lying And Deceit (With Commentary)

Lying and deceit are addressed numerous times in the Bible, highlighting their destructive nature and the importance of truthfulness. These verses reveal God’s perspective on honesty and the consequences of deceit. Here are 25 Bible verses about lying and deceit, each with a brief commentary.

25 Bible Verses About Lying And Deceit

Proverbs 12:22

“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”

God abhors lies but finds joy in those who speak the truth.

Ephesians 4:25

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”

Truthfulness is essential for unity and trust within the community.

Colossians 3:9

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”

Lying is incompatible with the new life in Christ.

Proverbs 19:9

“A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.”

Lies lead to inevitable consequences and divine judgment.

Psalm 34:13

“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”

Guarding one’s speech is crucial to living righteously.

John 8:44

“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.”

Deception aligns one with the devil, the originator of lies.

Proverbs 6:16-17

“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.”

Lying is among the behaviors God detests most.

Revelation 21:8

“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.”

Persistent liars face severe judgment in the end.

Psalm 101:7

“No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.”

God rejects those who live in deceit and falsehood.

Proverbs 14:5

“An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.”

Honest testimony is crucial, while deceit corrupts justice.

Leviticus 19:11

“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”

God commands against lying and deceit among His people.

Bible Verses About Lying And Deceit

Proverbs 24:28

“Do not testify against your neighbor without cause—would you use your lips to mislead?”

False testimony against others is strongly condemned.

Zechariah 8:16

“These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts.”

Truthful speech and just judgment are fundamental to community integrity.

Proverbs 10:9

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

Integrity leads to security, while deceitful ways are eventually exposed.

Ephesians 4:15

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Truth spoken in love fosters growth and maturity in Christ.

1 Peter 2:1

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”

Believers are called to renounce deceit and all forms of malice.

Proverbs 11:1

“The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.”

God values honesty in all dealings, condemning deceitful practices.

Jeremiah 9:5

“Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.”

Persistent lying erodes trust and leads to societal decay.

1 John 2:4

“Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.”

Claiming to know God while disobeying Him reveals deceit.

Psalm 119:29

“Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.”

Seeking God’s guidance helps avoid deceitful paths.

Acts 5:3

“Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?'”

Ananias’ deceit to the Holy Spirit resulted in severe consequences.

Proverbs 12:19

“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”

Truth stands the test of time, unlike fleeting lies.

Romans 1:25

“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.”

Replacing God’s truth with lies leads to idolatry and moral downfall.

Psalm 52:2-4

“You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor. You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!”

Deceitful speech causes harm and is opposed to God’s will.

James 3:14