Lying is a destructive behavior that erodes trust and damages relationships. The Bible condemns lying and emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and honesty.
If you’re seeking guidance on the topic of lying or striving to live with integrity, let’s delve into some enlightening Bible verses that shed light on the consequences of lying and the virtues of truth.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Sports
Bible Verses About Lying
Proverbs 12:22
“The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
This verse explicitly states that lying is detestable to God and that He takes pleasure in those who are honest and trustworthy in their words.
Proverbs 19:5
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.”
Those who bear false witness and spread lies will eventually face the consequences of their actions, and justice will prevail.
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.”
This verse highlights the importance of being truthful in our interactions with others, especially within the community of believers, reminding us that we are all connected as members of Christ’s body.
Colossians 3:9-10
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
As believers, we have been transformed by Christ and are called to live in a new way, free from deceit and dishonesty, reflecting the image of our Creator.
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.”
This verse explicitly lists lying as one of the things that are detestable to God and reminds us of the seriousness of dishonesty in His sight.
Proverbs 21:6
“A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.”
A brief moment of gain that comes from lying can ultimately lead to a trap that ensnares and destroys those who perpetrate it.
Leviticus 19:11
“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”
These three commands – not to steal, lie, or deceive – are given together in this verse, reminding us that honesty and integrity are essential components of godly living.
Psalm 119:163-164
“I hate and abhor falsehood but I love your law. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.”
The psalmist emphasizes their hatred of falsehood and love for God’s law, committing to praising Him regularly for His holy standards.
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.”
Lying is listed as one of the behaviors that will result in eternal separation from God, indicating the seriousness of dishonesty in the eyes of God.
Proverbs 13:5
“The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.”
This verse highlights the importance of righteousness and truthfulness and warns against the consequences of wickedness and deception.
Psalm 101:7
“No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.”
God makes it clear in this verse that those who practice deceit and falsehood will not find a place within His dwelling or presence.
1 John 1:6
“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of living out our beliefs and being honest in our relationship with Christ, as dishonesty and falsehood ultimately lead us away from Him.
Psalm 52:3-4
“You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!”
This verse highlights the contrast between choosing falsehood and loving good and truth, exposing the wickedness and deception of those who prefer dishonesty over righteousness.
Proverbs 17:4
“Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.”
This verse reveals how those who perpetrate deceit are often drawn to slander and gossip, emphasizing the corrupting influence of dishonesty.
Psalm 31:18
“Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.”
This verse expresses the psalmist’s desire for dishonesty to be silenced, as it is often used to attack and discredit the righteous.
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.”
Jesus exposes the true nature of Satan as a liar, indicating that all falsehood ultimately stems from his influence and deceptions.
1 Timothy 1:10
“For the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine”
Lying is listed as one of the behaviors that goes against sound doctrine and is therefore strongly condemned in the Bible.
Psalm 120:2-3
“Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?”
The psalmist recognizes the damaging power of dishonesty and calls on God for deliverance from those who use deceitful words against him.
Jeremiah 9:3-5
“They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me,” declares the LORD. “Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer.”
This verse warns against the danger of trusting in the false words of those who make a habit of deceit, indicating that dishonesty can lead to betrayal even among friends and family members.
Proverbs 10:18
“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”
This verse warns that using deceitful words to spread slander and hide hatred is both foolish and harmful.
Psalm 12:2-3
“Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. May the LORD silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.”
This verse laments the prevalence of dishonesty and calls on God to silence the flattery and boasting that often accompany deceitful words.
Proverbs 26:28
“A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
This verse reveals the harmful nature of lying, indicating that it not only hurts others but ultimately destroys the one who uses deceitful words.
Psalm 5:6
“You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful people the LORD abhors.”
This verse underscores the severity of dishonesty, indicating that God abhors those who use deceitful words and will eventually bring judgment against them.
Proverbs 14:25
“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.”
This verse highlights the life-saving power of truthful words and the destructive nature of falsehood, reminding us of the importance of speaking the truth in all circumstances.
What Does the Bible Say About Lying?
In the Bible, lying is consistently condemned as a sinful and harmful behavior. Throughout various passages, lying is portrayed as a departure from truthfulness, which is a virtue emphasized in the scriptures. The ninth commandment in the Old Testament, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16), directly addresses the issue of lying.
The Bible teaches that lying originates from deceitfulness and is associated with the Devil, who is described as the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Honesty, on the other hand, is highly valued, and believers are encouraged to speak truthfully to one another (Ephesians 4:25).
Proverbs 6:16-19 mentions seven things that the Lord hates, and two of them are “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who breathes out lies.” These verses highlight the severity of lying in God’s eyes and its potential to cause harm to others and break the trust within relationships.
The consequences of lying are also illustrated throughout the Bible. Lies can lead to further deception, conflicts, and distance from God. Moreover, Proverbs 19:5 states that a false witness will not go unpunished, emphasizing the accountability that comes with dishonesty.
Ultimately, the Bible encourages truthfulness, honesty, and integrity. Followers of God are called to be people of truth, showing sincerity and trustworthiness in their words and actions. By doing so, they honor God and build stronger, more meaningful relationships with others.