The Bible is clear in its stance against lying and deceit, as they are directly opposed to God’s nature, which is rooted in truth and holiness. Lying and deceit not only harm others but also separate us from God, who desires honesty and integrity in all we do. As Christians, we are called to reflect God’s truthfulness in our words and actions, rejecting any form of falsehood or manipulation.
The following quotes from renowned Christian preachers and a collection of Bible verses offer wisdom and guidance on the importance of living a life free from deceit.
Preachers Quotes
“A lie is like a snowball: the longer it is rolled, the larger it becomes.” – Martin Luther
“Truth is so obscured nowadays, and lies so well established, that unless we love the truth, we shall never recognize it.” – Blaise Pascal
“Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fits them all.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
“A lie may take care of the present, but it has no future.” – John MacArthur
“There is no such thing as a little white lie. A lie is a lie, and God hates it.” – Charles Spurgeon
“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” – Thomas Jefferson
“The highest compact we can make with our fellow is, ‘Let there be truth between us forevermore.’” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Bible Verses About Lying and Deceit
Proverbs 12:22 – God delights in truthfulness.
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.” – Proverbs 12:22
John 8:44 – The devil is the father of lies.
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” – John 8:44
Proverbs 19:9 – Liars will face judgment.
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies shall perish.” – Proverbs 19:9
Colossians 3:9 – Lying is not part of the new life in Christ.
“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.” – Colossians 3:9
Psalm 34:13 – Keep your tongue from deceit.
“Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.” – Psalm 34:13
Leviticus 19:11 – A direct command against lying.
“You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.” – Leviticus 19:11
Exodus 20:16 – Bearing false witness is a sin.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” – Exodus 20:16
Proverbs 6:16-19 – Lying is among the things God hates.
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” – Proverbs 6:16-19
Psalm 101:7 – Deceitful people are not welcome before God.
“He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.” – Psalm 101:7
Proverbs 21:6 – The fleeting rewards of deceitful gain.
“Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.” – Proverbs 21:6
Ephesians 4:25 – Speak truth to one another.
“Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.” – Ephesians 4:25
James 1:26 – The danger of an unbridled tongue.
“If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” – James 1:26
Proverbs 10:9 – Integrity provides security.
“He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.” – Proverbs 10:9
Proverbs 14:5 – A faithful witness speaks truth.
“A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness will utter lies.” – Proverbs 14:5
Zechariah 8:16 – A call to truth and justice.
“These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace.” – Zechariah 8:16
1 Peter 3:10 – Keep your lips free from deceit.
“For ‘He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.’” – 1 Peter 3:10
Proverbs 20:17 – The consequences of deceitful gain.
“Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.” – Proverbs 20:17
Matthew 5:37 – Let your yes mean yes.
“But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37
Psalm 119:163 – Love truth, hate lying.
“I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law.” – Psalm 119:163
Proverbs 15:4 – A wholesome tongue brings life.
“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:4
Psalm 55:23 – Deceitful people face destruction.
“But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in You.” – Psalm 55:23
2 Corinthians 4:2 – Reject deceit and live honestly.
“But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:2
Proverbs 24:28 – Do not deceive with your words.
“Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, for would you deceive with your lips?” – Proverbs 24:28
Psalm 52:2 – The tongue as a tool for destruction.
“Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.” – Psalm 52:2
Proverbs 17:7 – Lies are unbecoming.
“Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.” – Proverbs 17:7
Hosea 10:13 – Trust in deceit leads to downfall.
“You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies because you trusted in your own way, in the multitude of your mighty men.” – Hosea 10:13
Job 27:4 – A commitment to truth.
“My lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.” – Job 27:4
Romans 1:29 – Deceit is part of a sinful nature.
“Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers.” – Romans 1:29
Psalm 5:6 – God abhors deceitful people.
“You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.” – Psalm 5:6
1 Timothy 4:2 – Deceit can sear the conscience.
“Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” – 1 Timothy 4:2
Proverbs 14:25 – Truth saves lives.
“A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies.” – Proverbs 14:25
Psalm 109:2 – Lies and deceit are weapons of the wicked.
“For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful have opened against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.” – Psalm 109:2
Isaiah 59:3 – Deceit reflects sinful hands.
“For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity.” – Isaiah 59:3
Proverbs 10:18 – Concealing hatred through deceit.
“Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.” – Proverbs 10:18
2 Thessalonians 2:10 – Deceit leads to perishing.
“And with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:10
Proverbs 26:28 – A deceitful tongue causes harm.
“A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” – Proverbs 26:28
Jeremiah 9:5 – Deception becomes habitual.
“Everyone will deceive his neighbor, and will not speak the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves to commit iniquity.” – Jeremiah 9:5
Proverbs 12:19 – Truth endures, deceit fades.
“The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” – Proverbs 12:19
Zephaniah 3:13 – The faithful speak no lies.
“The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness and speak no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed their flocks and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid.” – Zephaniah 3:13
Revelation 21:8 – Liars face eternal judgment.
“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8
What does the Bible say about Lying and Deceit
The Bible speaks strongly against lying and deceit, emphasizing the importance of truth in the lives of God’s people. From the very beginning, lying is shown as a tool of the enemy. In Genesis, the serpent deceived Eve by twisting God’s words, leading to the fall of humanity. This act of deceit brought sin into the world and revealed how lies can cause great harm.
God, on the other hand, is described as a God of truth. Numbers 23:19 tells us, “God is not a man, that He should lie.” His nature is pure and trustworthy, and He calls His followers to reflect His truthfulness in their lives. Lying and deceit are not only sins against other people but also sins against God Himself.
The Ten Commandments clearly address lying. In Exodus 20:16, it says, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” This commandment teaches us to be honest in our words and actions. Whether it’s a small lie or a major deception, any form of dishonesty is a violation of God’s law. Proverbs 12:22 further highlights God’s perspective, saying, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.”
Lying and deceit can damage relationships, create distrust, and lead to destruction. Proverbs 19:9 warns, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies shall perish.” The Bible repeatedly shows the consequences of dishonesty, both in this life and in eternity. Revelation 21:8 gives a sobering reminder that liars, along with other sinners, will face judgment unless they repent.
As followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. Colossians 3:9 urges believers, “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.” This means that those who follow Jesus must reject their old ways of deceit and live in truth. Ephesians 4:25 encourages us to “speak truth with our neighbor,” reminding us that honesty builds trust and unity.
In summary, the Bible teaches that lying and deceit are sins that separate us from God and harm others. Instead, God desires that we walk in truth, reflecting His character and building relationships rooted in honesty and love.