Friendship is a gift from God, but not all friends are genuine. The Bible teaches us to be wise in choosing friends because bad company can lead us away from God’s path. A true friend loves at all times, but a fake friend is only around when they benefit from the relationship. It is important to surround ourselves with those who uplift and encourage us in faith.
Throughout the Bible, we see stories of betrayal and false friendship. Joseph was sold by his own brothers, David was betrayed by Ahithophel, and even Jesus was betrayed by Judas. These examples remind us that not everyone who claims to be our friend has good intentions. Betrayal can be painful, but it teaches us to trust in God above all.
Fake friends gossip, deceive, and turn against us when we need them the most. They pretend to be loyal but are only interested in their own gain. That is why we must be discerning and seek friendships that reflect godly values. True friends encourage, support, and help us grow in our walk with Christ.
These Bible verses will help you recognize and deal with fake friends. May these words guide you in choosing faithful companions who align with God’s will for your life.
Preachers Quotes
“An unfaithful friend is more dangerous than an open enemy.” – Charles Spurgeon
“When people walk away from you, let them go. Your destiny is never tied to anyone who leaves you.” – T.D. Jakes
“Some people come into your life as blessings, others come into your life as lessons.” – Mother Teresa
“Be careful who you trust; the devil was once an angel.” – Anonymous
“True friends stab you in the front, fake friends stab you in the back.” – C.S. Lewis
“The worst pain in life is not being stabbed in the back but being betrayed by a friend you trusted.” – Anonymous
“God removes people from your life because He heard conversations you didn’t.” – Anonymous
You might also be interested in: Bible verses about Toxic People
Bible Verses About Fake Friends
Proverbs 27:6 – The Wounds of a Friend
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” – Proverbs 27:6
Psalm 41:9 – Betrayal by a Close Friend
“Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” – Psalm 41:9
Proverbs 26:24-25 – A Fake Friend Speaks Kindly but Hides Evil
“He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.” – Proverbs 26:24-25
2 Timothy 3:2-5 – Fake Friends in the Last Days
“For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” – 2 Timothy 3:2-5
Matthew 7:15 – Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” – Matthew 7:15
Luke 22:48 – The Betrayal of Jesus
“But Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’” – Luke 22:48
Proverbs 19:4 – Wealth Attracts Fake Friends
“Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.” – Proverbs 19:4
Job 19:19 – False Friends Turn Away
“All my close friends abhor me, and those whom I love have turned against me.” – Job 19:19
Psalm 55:12-14 – A Betrayal Hurts More When It Comes From a Friend
“For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together and walked to the house of God in the throng.” – Psalm 55:12-14
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad Company Corrupts Good Morals
“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Proverbs 22:24-25 – Avoid Angry Friends
“Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.” – Proverbs 22:24-25
Jeremiah 9:4 – Do Not Trust Fake Friends
“Everyone take heed to his neighbor, and do not trust any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanderers.” – Jeremiah 9:4
Micah 7:5 – Be Careful Whom You Trust
“Do not trust in a friend; do not put your confidence in a companion.” – Micah 7:5
Proverbs 14:7 – Stay Away from Fools
“Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.” – Proverbs 14:7
Psalm 101:7 – Deceitful People Will Not Stand
“He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.” – Psalm 101:7
Proverbs 12:26 – The Righteous Choose Friends Carefully
“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” – Proverbs 12:26
Psalm 12:2 – Fake Friends Speak with Deception
“They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.” – Psalm 12:2
Proverbs 16:28 – A Gossip Separates Friends
“A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” – Proverbs 16:28
Matthew 26:49-50 – Jesus Was Betrayed with a Kiss
“Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, why have you come?’” – Matthew 26:49-50
2 Samuel 15:31 – David Prayed Against a Betrayer
“Then someone told David, saying, ‘Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.’ And David said, ‘O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!’” – 2 Samuel 15:31
Proverbs 20:19 – Do Not Associate with a Gossip
“He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.” – Proverbs 20:19
Proverbs 6:16-19 – The Lord Hates a False Witness
“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
Proverbs 25:19 – A Fake Friend is Unreliable
“Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.” – Proverbs 25:19
Jeremiah 12:6 – Even Family Can Betray
“For even your brothers, the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; yes, they have called a multitude after you. Do not believe them, even though they speak smooth words to you.” – Jeremiah 12:6
John 13:18 – Jesus Knew of His Betrayer
“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’” – John 13:18
Psalm 118:8 – Trust in God, Not Man
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” – Psalm 118:8
Romans 16:17 – Avoid Those Who Cause Divisions
“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” – Romans 16:17
Matthew 10:36 – Enemies Can Come from Your Own Household
“And ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’” – Matthew 10:36
Proverbs 27:17 – True Friends Sharpen One Another
“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” – Proverbs 27:17
Isaiah 41:10 – Trust in God, Not Fake Friends
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
1 John 4:1 – Test the Spirits
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – 1 John 4:1
2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do Not Be Unequally Yoked
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14
Psalm 55:21 – Fake Friends Speak Smooth Words
“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.” – Psalm 55:21
James 4:4 – Friendship with the World is Enmity with God
“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” – James 4:4
Mark 14:50 – Jesus’ Disciples Forsook Him
“Then they all forsook Him and fled.” – Mark 14:50
Psalm 109:2-5 – Repaying Evil for Good
“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. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause. In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer.” – Psalm 109:2-5
Proverbs 11:13 – A Gossip Betrays a Trust
“A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.” – Proverbs 11:13
Psalm 146:3 – Do Not Put Trust in Princes
“Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.” – Psalm 146:3
Luke 6:26 – Beware When All Men Speak Well of You
“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” – Luke 6:26
Job 6:14 – A Friend Should Show Kindness
“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” – Job 6:14
If you’re interested, here’s another article on: Bible verses about Betrayal
What does the Bible say about Fake Friends
The Bible has a lot to say about fake friends. It warns us about people who pretend to be friends but do not truly care about us. These kinds of friends may act nice on the outside, but their hearts are not with us. They may betray us, gossip about us, or only stay close when things are going well. When trouble comes, they leave us alone.
One clear example of a fake friend in the Bible is Judas Iscariot. He followed Jesus, ate with Him, and appeared to be loyal. But in the end, he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. In Matthew 26:49-50, Judas even greeted Jesus with a kiss, pretending to be His friend while handing Him over to His enemies. This shows that not everyone who seems close to us has good intentions.
Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” This means that a true friend will tell us the truth, even if it hurts, but a fake friend will only flatter us with empty words. Fake friends may act like they support us, but their actions show otherwise. They may talk behind our backs, spread lies, or use us for their own benefit.
The Bible also warns against friends who lead us into sin. Proverbs 13:20 says, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” Fake friends may pressure us to do wrong things or turn away from God. Instead of helping us grow in faith, they pull us down. That is why it is important to choose our friends carefully.
True friendship is based on love, honesty, and faithfulness. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” A real friend will stand by us in hard times, encourage us, and help us follow God. Unlike fake friends, they will not abandon us when we struggle.
If we feel betrayed by fake friends, we can find comfort in knowing that God is always faithful. Psalm 118:8 reminds us, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Even when people fail us, God never will. He is our greatest friend, always with us, guiding and protecting us. Instead of seeking approval from people, we should trust in Him and surround ourselves with true, godly friends.