Lying, a deliberate act of deception, has far-reaching consequences. It erodes trust, damages relationships, and ultimately separates us from God. The Bible, a timeless source of wisdom, offers clear guidance on the destructive nature of lying and the importance of truthfulness.
This article, “Bible Verses About Lying,” explores scriptures that:
- Condemn lying as a sin against God and others.
- Highlight the importance of honesty and truthfulness.
- Offer guidance on how to resist the temptation to lie.
- Encourage a life of integrity and authenticity.
Whether you’re struggling with a tendency to lie or seeking to live a more truthful life, these verses can offer a powerful reminder of the importance of honesty and the blessings that come from speaking the truth.
Table of Contents
Bible verses about lying
Here are some powerful Bible verses about lying:
- Proverbs 12:22: The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
- Exodus 20:16: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
- 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.
- Proverbs 19:9: A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.
- Colossians 3:9: Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.
- Psalm 34:13: Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.
- 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.
- Proverbs 6:16-19: There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
- 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.
- 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.
Bible Verses About Lying and Deceit
- Proverbs 12:22: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
- Psalm 101:7: “No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.”
- Exodus 20:16: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
- Proverbs 6:16-19: “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
Bible Verses About Lying and Cheating
- Proverbs 11:1: “The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.”
- Malachi 3:5: “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.”
- Exodus 20:15-16: “You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
- Proverbs 15:27: “The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.”
- Micah 6:11: “Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights?”
- Leviticus 19:11: “Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:8: “Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.”
Bible Verses About Lying in Relationships
- 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.”
- Proverbs 14:5: “An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.”
- Colossians 3:9: “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”
- 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.”
- Psalm 15:1-2: “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.”
- Exodus 23:1: “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.”
- Proverbs 12:22: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Bible Verses About Lying to Parents
- Proverbs 20:20: “If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.”
- Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
- Ephesians 6:1-3: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—’so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'”
- Proverbs 1:8: “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
- Proverbs 23:22: “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”
Bible Verses About Lying to Spouse
- Malachi 2:14-16: “You ask, ‘Why?’ It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.”
- Proverbs 12:22: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
- 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.”
- Proverbs 31:10-11: “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”
- Hebrews 13:4: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
- 1 Corinthians 7:3: “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.”
Bible Verses About Lying and Stealing
- Exodus 20:15-16: “You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
- Leviticus 19:11: “Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”
- Proverbs 10:23: “A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.”
- Zechariah 5:3-4: “And he said to me, ‘This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished. The Lord Almighty declares: I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of anyone who swears falsely by my name. It will remain in that house and destroy it completely, both its timbers and its stones.'”
- Ephesians 4:28: “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”
- Romans 2:21: “You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?”
- Proverbs 11:1: “The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.”
Bible Verses About Lying to Protect Someone
- Exodus 1:15-21: “The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, ‘When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.’ The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live… So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.”
- Joshua 2:4-6: “But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, ‘Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.’ (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.)”
- Hebrews 11:31: “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.”
- 1 Samuel 19:14-17: “When Saul sent the men to capture David, Michal said, ‘He is ill.’ Then Saul sent the men back to see David and told them, ‘Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him.’ But when the men entered, there was the idol in the bed, and at the head was some goat’s hair. Saul said to Michal, ‘Why did you deceive me like this and send my enemy away so that he escaped?’ Michal told him, ‘He said to me, ‘Let me get away. Why should I kill you?’”
Bible Verses About Lying Lips
- Proverbs 12:22: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
- Psalm 120:2: “Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.”
- Proverbs 10:18: “Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”
- Psalm 34:13: “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
- Proverbs 17:7: “Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—how much worse lying lips to a ruler!”
- James 3:5: “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”
- Proverbs 15:4: “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
Bible Verses on Lying Spirit
- 1 Kings 22:22: “‘By what means?’ the Lord asked. ‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said. ‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’”
- 2 Chronicles 18:21: “‘I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said. ‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’”
- Psalm 89:34: “I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered.”
- 1 John 4:1: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
- 2 Thessalonians 2:11: “For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.”
Bible Verses for Lying Husbands
- Malachi 2:14-16: “You ask, ‘Why?’ It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.”
- Proverbs 12:22: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
- Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
- 1 Peter 3:7: “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
- Proverbs 31:10-11: “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”
Scriptures on Lying to the Holy Spirit
- Acts 5:3-4: “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? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.’”
- Ephesians 4:30: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19: “Do not quench the Spirit.”
- Matthew 12:31-32: “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
Scriptures About Lying for Kids
- Proverbs 12:22: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
- 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.”
- Colossians 3:9: “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”
- Exodus 20:16: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
- Proverbs 6:16-19: “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
- 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.”
- Psalm 34:13: “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
Lying Bible Verses About Cheating and Forgiveness
- 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
- Proverbs 28:13: “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
- Matthew 18:21-22: “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”
- Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
- Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
- Luke 17:3-4: “So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
Bible Verse About Lying: Proverbs 12:22
This is a direct Bible verse about lying:
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” (Proverbs 12:22, ESV)
This Bible verse about lying reveals God’s strong feelings about dishonesty. Proverbs 12:22 contrasts God’s hatred of lies with His pleasure in truthfulness. This verse emphasizes the serious nature of lying in God’s eyes and encourages faithful, honest behavior.
Bible Verse on Lying: Colossians 3:9
This is a transformative Bible verse on lying:
“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices.” (Colossians 3:9, NIV)
This Bible verse on lying connects truthfulness with spiritual transformation. Colossians 3:9 teaches that lying belongs to the old nature and should be abandoned in the new life in Christ. This verse emphasizes that honesty should characterize relationships between believers.
Scripture About Lying: Revelation 21:8
This is a sobering scripture about lying:
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8, ESV)
This scripture about lying reveals the ultimate consequences of persistent dishonesty. Revelation 21:8 places lying among serious sins that separate people from God. This verse underscores the eternal significance of truthfulness and the grave nature of dishonesty.
Scripture on Lying: Proverbs 19:9
This is a warning scripture on lying:
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.” (Proverbs 19:9, NIV)
This scripture on lying promises consequences for dishonesty. Proverbs 19:9 assures that lying, particularly false testimony, will result in punishment. This verse emphasizes that dishonesty leads to destruction and warns against the practice of deception.
Pastoral Perspective on Bible Verses About Lying
What do these Bible Verses About Lying teach us?
Scripture provides clear insights about the nature and consequences of lying:
- Lying is contrary to God’s nature and character (Num 23:19, Titus 1:2)
- God abhors lying and false witness (Prov 6:16-19, Prov 12:22)
- Lying originates from Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44)
- Lying damages relationships and destroys trust (Prov 26:28, Col 3:9)
- Truth-telling is essential for spiritual maturity (Eph 4:25, Zech 8:16)
Nuances and Subtleties of Bible Verses About Lying
While condemning deception, Scripture reveals important nuances:
- Some forms of lying are more grievous than others (Acts 5:1-11, Rev 21:8)
- White lies and half-truths are still forms of deception (Ex 20:16, Prov 12:22)
- Speaking truth requires both honesty and love (Eph 4:15)
- Truthfulness goes beyond words to heart attitudes (Ps 51:6)
- Cultural pressure to lie must be resisted with godly wisdom (Dan 3:16-18)
Practical Steps to overcome lying based on Scriptures on Lying
To cultivate truthfulness in our lives:
- Acknowledge lying as sin and repent specifically (1 John 1:9)
- Guard your heart against the root causes of lying (Prov 4:23)
- Practice immediate confession when tempted to lie (James 5:16)
- Cultivate fear of the Lord rather than fear of man (Prov 29:25)
- Build accountability relationships that encourage honesty (Prov 27:17)
Practical Strategies to Incorporate Bible Verses on Lying into Daily Life
To make truthfulness a consistent reality:
- Memorize key verses like Ephesians 4:25 and Proverbs 12:22
- Start each day committing your speech to the Lord (Ps 19:14)
- When tempted to lie, pause and recall Scripture’s warnings
- Practice vulnerability with trusted believers about struggles with honesty
- Replace habitual lies with biblical truth declarations
The Transformative Force of Bible Verses about Lying in Our Lives
When these truths are embraced, lives can be powerfully transformed:
- A business executive found freedom from manipulative practices through Proverbs 11:3, leading to authentic leadership.
- A teenager broke free from compulsive lying by studying John 8:44, recognizing Satan’s influence in deception.
- A spouse restored trust in their marriage by embracing Colossians 3:9, committing to radical honesty.
- An employee risked his job by telling truth about corporate fraud, strengthened by Daniel’s example.
- A parent-child relationship was healed when both committed to Ephesians 4:25, creating a culture of honesty.
These testimonies remind us that God’s truth truly sets us free (John 8:32).
Overcome Lying with Biblical Truth and Personalized Guidance
Lying can damage relationships, trust, and our walk with God. If you’re struggling with honesty—whether in yourself or dealing with deception from others—personalized spiritual support can provide clarity, healing, and biblical encouragement:
- Urgent Personalized Prayer & Pastoral Guidance – Receive a custom-written prayer and biblical counsel to help you walk in truth and integrity.
- Faith-Based Pastoral Counseling – Gain scriptural insight and five personalized prayers to overcome deception and embrace God’s truth.
- Simple Breakthrough Prayer Package – Two Spirit-filled prayers and encouragement to help break free from dishonesty or heal from betrayal.
- Personalized Bible-Based Answers – Do you have questions about lying, forgiveness, or restoration? Get Scripture-based answers to guide your path.
- 21-Day Personalized Bible Reading Plan – A tailored reading plan focusing on truth, integrity, and living righteously before God.
Let God’s Word transform your heart and guide you into a life of honesty, peace, and spiritual renewal.
Looking Beyond Bible Verses About Lying
As we conclude this collection of Bible Verses About Lying, may these scriptures serve as a powerful reminder that truth is foundational to a life of integrity and faith. God calls us to be people of honesty, reflecting His character in our words and actions. While the world may often blur the lines between truth and deception, God’s Word remains clear—truth leads to freedom, while lies lead to destruction.
Deepen Your Commitment to Truth
- Seeking personalized prayer or biblical guidance? Explore our spiritual support services for encouragement in walking with integrity and overcoming struggles with dishonesty.
- Discover More Scriptures: Visit our Bible Verses section to find additional scriptures about honesty, integrity, and God’s call to righteousness.
- Embrace the Power of Prayer: Explore our Prayers section for prayers that help strengthen your commitment to truth and break free from the temptation of deception.
Share Your Journey Toward Honesty
- Submit a Prayer Request: If you are struggling with honesty in any area of your life or seeking guidance in walking in truth, share your request anonymously on our prayer request page, and our faith-filled community will pray for you.
- Leave a Comment Below: Share how these verses have impacted your view on honesty or how God has helped you grow in integrity. Your testimony may encourage others facing similar challenges.
Encourage Others to Walk in Truth
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Live a Life of Truth and Integrity
May these Bible Verses About Lying inspire you to embrace truth in every aspect of your life. God honors those who walk in integrity, and His Word assures us that honesty brings blessings and peace. As you commit to living truthfully, may you experience the freedom and joy that comes from aligning your heart with God’s righteousness.
