Dishonest people often bring harm to themselves and others, and the Bible cautions against following their example. Instead, God calls us to reflect His truth. Today, we’ll see how Scripture addresses dishonesty and guides us in building relationships founded on trust and honesty.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Dishonest Gain
What Does The Bible Say About Dishonest People
Proverbs 11:1
“Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.”
This verse highlights the displeasure of God towards dishonesty. It emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in our dealings, both in our personal lives and in society.
Honesty is not only important in our relationships with others, but it is also a reflection of our relationship with God. God delights in those who are honest, upright, and fair in their actions.
Proverbs 12:22
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight.”
This verse emphasizes the sinfulness of lying and the importance of speaking the truth. It reminds us that lying goes against God’s nature and is detestable to Him.
On the other hand, those who act faithfully, speaking the truth and living with integrity, bring delight to the Lord. Honesty is a virtue that should characterize the lives of believers, reflecting the character of God.
Proverbs 16:11
“A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are His work.”
This verse reaffirms that God cares about justice and fairness. It emphasizes that the standards of honesty and integrity are set by the Lord and are not to be compromised.
As believers, we are called to reflect God’s character of justice in our actions. We should strive to be honest in all our dealings, knowing that God is the ultimate judge who weighs our actions.
Proverbs 19:9
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.”
This verse warns of the consequences that await those who engage in deceit and spreading falsehood. It emphasizes that lying and being a false witness will ultimately lead to destruction.
God desires truthfulness from His people, and lying only leads to a cycle of sin and its consequences. As believers, we should be wary of the temptation to deceive and instead choose to speak the truth.
Proverbs 20:23
“Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and dishonest scales are not good.”
This verse reiterates the abomination that dishonesty, specifically through unequal weights and scales, is to the Lord. It emphasizes that God desires justice and fairness in all our dealings.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be people of integrity, upholding honesty in our interactions and ensuring fairness. God takes no pleasure in dishonesty but delights in those who walk in honesty.
Proverbs 24:28
“Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.”
This verse warns against bearing false witness and deceiving others with our speech. It encourages us to be honest and avoid spreading falsehoods about our neighbors.
As believers, we are called to speak the truth and to be trustworthy witnesses. We should refrain from gossip, slander, and any form of deception, choosing to uphold honesty and integrity instead.
Proverbs 25:18
“A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.”
This verse vividly describes the destructive nature of bearing false witness and spreading lies. It compares it to weapons of war that cause harm and destruction.
As followers of Christ, we should be mindful of the power of our words and the impact they can have on others. It is crucial to speak the truth and avoid using our words to harm or deceive.
Proverbs 26:24-25
“Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.”
This verse cautions against those who mask their true intentions with flattering words but harbor deceit in their hearts. It warns not to believe those who speak kindly but have ulterior motives.
As believers, we should exercise discernment and wisdom when evaluating the words and actions of others. We should not be easily swayed or deceived by flattery, but rather seek the truth and align ourselves with honesty.
Proverbs 29:12
“If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of leaders maintaining integrity and being wary of falsehood. It highlights how the acceptance of lies can corrupt an entire system or group.
As followers of Christ, we should pray for leaders and those in positions of authority, that they would have discernment and choose truth over falsehood. We should also be people of integrity, influencing others positively through our example.
Colossians 3:9-10
“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
This verse encourages believers to put off lying and adopt the new self in Christ, characterized by truthfulness. It emphasizes that as we grow in our knowledge of God, we are transformed into His likeness, which includes honesty.
As followers of Christ, we are called to live in a way that reflects the character of our Creator. This entails being truthful and avoiding deceitful practices, as we are renewed and transformed by our relationship with Him.
Psalm 101:7
“No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”
This verse expresses a firm stance against deceit and lying, stating that those who practice such things will have no place in the dwelling place of the Lord.
As believers, we should align ourselves with God’s perspective on deceit, choosing to live lives characterized by honesty and integrity. This involves avoiding lies and deceitful practices in all aspects of our lives.
Leviticus 19:11
“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.”
This verse encompasses a broader understanding of honesty and integrity. It highlights that lying is not to be practiced, alongside stealing and dealing falsely.
As followers of Christ, we are called to adhere to God’s standards of righteousness in all our actions. We should refrain from lying, deceit, and any form of dishonesty, ensuring that our interactions with others are characterized by truthfulness.
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
This passage lists lying and being a false witness among the seven abominations that the Lord hates. It emphasizes God’s detest for dishonesty and the destructive nature of lies.
As followers of Christ, we should strive to avoid these abominable behaviors, choosing instead to walk in integrity, truth, and love. We should actively pursue unity among fellow believers and avoid spreading discord through deceitful actions or words.
Proverbs 12:19
“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
This verse underscores the lasting value of truth and the temporal nature of lies. It highlights that truthfulness and honesty stand the test of time, while lies are eventually exposed.
As believers, we should prioritize speaking the truth and living with integrity, knowing that honesty will endure, even in the face of adversity. We should trust God to bring forth justice and expose falsehood in due time.
John 8:44
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
This verse exposes the origin of lies and deceit, attributing them to the devil. It depicts Satan as the father of lies and emphasizes that he has no truth in him.
As believers, we are called to walk in the truth, standing firm against the schemes of the devil. We should be cautious of his tactics and choose to align ourselves with God’s truth, rejecting falsehood in all its forms.
Ephesians 4:25
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”
This verse exhorts believers to cast off falsehood and embrace truthfulness in their interactions with others, recognizing that they are part of the same body in Christ.
As followers of Christ, we should prioritize truthful speech and avoid deception in our relationships. We should remember that our words have the power to build up or tear down, and choose to speak truth that edifies and encourages.
1 Timothy 1:10
“The sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.”
This verse lists lying as one of the behaviors that are contrary to sound doctrine. It highlights that truthfulness is an essential aspect of Christian conduct.
As believers, we should uphold sound doctrine, which includes honesty and integrity. We should refrain from engaging in deceitful practices and instead align ourselves with the truth of God’s Word.
Psalm 5:6
“You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.”
This verse describes God’s response to those who speak lies, stating that He destroys them. It emphasizes that the Lord abhors those who are deceitful and bloodthirsty.
As followers of Christ, we should take this warning seriously and strive to be people of truth and integrity, fleeing from deceitful practices. We should seek to align our actions and words with God’s character, knowing that He despises dishonesty.
Psalm 119:163
“I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.”
This verse conveys the psalmist’s strong aversion towards falsehood and his love for God’s law. It highlights the stark contrast between God’s truth and the deceitfulness of lies.
As believers, we should share this sentiment and cultivate a deep love for God’s Word, which is truth. We should despise falsehood and strive to align our lives with the precepts and principles outlined in Scripture.
Proverbs 13:5
“The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.”
This verse draws a distinction between the righteous and the wicked regarding their attitudes towards falsehood. It states that the righteous hate lying, whereas the wicked bring shame and disgrace.
As followers of Christ, we should strive to embrace righteousness and align ourselves with God’s truth. This involves rejecting falsehood and choosing to live in honesty and integrity, bringing glory to God.
Revelation 21:8
“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.”
This verse includes liars among those who will face judgment in the lake of fire. It highlights the severity of God’s response towards deceitful behavior, emphasizing that lying is contrary to His character.
As believers, we should take to heart the seriousness of the sin of lying and the eternal consequences it carries. We should strive to walk in truth and integrity, knowing that honesty is pleasing to God and leads to eternal life.
Psalm 34:13
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of guarding our words and speaking truth instead of deceit. It encourages us to exercise self-control and restrain ourselves from engaging in dishonest speech.
As followers of Christ, we should strive to keep our tongues from evil, ensuring that our words align with God’s truth. We should seek to be people of integrity, using our speech to build up and encourage others.
Psalm 120:2
“Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.”
This verse is a prayer for deliverance from lying and deceitful speech. It acknowledges the need for God’s intervention in guarding one’s tongue.
As believers, we should humble ourselves and recognize our own inclination towards dishonesty. We should regularly seek God’s guidance and strength to speak the truth and avoid deceitful speech.