The prevalence of fake people can be disheartening, but the Bible offers guidance on how to navigate this reality. Through verses that address deception, hypocrisy, and true authenticity, we can gain insight into identifying and dealing with fake people while also reflecting on our own sincerity.
Join me as we explore these verses, uncovering the timeless wisdom that guides us to embrace genuine relationships and live authentically in a world where falsehoods abound.
Bible Verses about Fake People
Proverbs 20:6
“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?”
This verse highlights the prevalence of people who profess love and loyalty but fail to demonstrate it consistently. It reminds us to be discerning in our relationships and to seek genuine and faithful individuals.
Matthew 23:27-28
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Jesus confronts the religious leaders who portray righteousness outwardly while lacking sincerity and integrity within. This verse emphasizes the importance of genuine transformation and authenticity, rather than mere appearances.
Psalm 55:21
“His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.”
Describing the deceitful nature of some individuals, this verse warns against those who use flattering words and pleasant speech to manipulate others for their own gain. It serves as a reminder to be cautious and discerning in our interactions.
Luke 6:26
“Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.”
Jesus cautions against seeking the approval and praise of others as a measure of authenticity. The verse highlights that false prophets were often praised by the masses, indicating that popularity does not always equate to truthfulness or genuine character.
Proverbs 10:9
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of integrity and honesty in our actions. Those who choose deceitful ways may temporarily deceive others, but eventually, their true nature will be exposed. Walking with integrity brings security and a clear conscience.
Jeremiah 9:4-5
“Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer. Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.”
Jeremiah laments the widespread deception and betrayal among the people. He warns against placing unwavering trust in friends and family members who engage in deceitful practices and spread slander. The verse reminds us to exercise caution and discernment, even among those closest to us.
Proverbs 19:5
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.”
This verse emphasizes the consequences of falsehood and deceit. It assures that those who bear false witness or engage in lying will face repercussions and will not escape accountability for their actions.
1 Timothy 4:1-2
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times, some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”
The apostle Paul warns of false teachings and the influence of deceiving spirits in the latter days. He highlights that these teachings are propagated by hypocritical liars who have suppressed their consciences and strayed from the truth. It reminds us to stay vigilant and discerning, holding fast to genuine faith.
Psalm 144:8-11
“Part your heavens, Lord, and come down; touch the mountains so that they smoke. Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy; shoot your arrows and rout them. Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.”
In this psalm, the psalmist calls upon God for deliverance from enemies who are characterized by deceit and falsehood. It serves as a plea for God’s intervention against those who employ dishonesty and manipulative tactics.
Romans 16:17-18
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people.”
The apostle Paul advises believers to be vigilant against individuals who cause divisions and teach contrary to the established teachings of Christ. These deceptive individuals serve their own interests rather than serving the Lord. Their manipulation is often disguised through smooth talk and flattery, targeting the naive and unsuspecting.
Matthew 6:1-2
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
Jesus teaches about the importance of genuine motives in acts of righteousness. He warns against performing good deeds solely for the sake of receiving praise and recognition from others, as it negates the true intention behind the act. Instead, our actions should be motivated by a sincere desire to honor God rather than seeking human approval.
Proverbs 17:5
“Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.”
This verse speaks to the character of individuals who mock and mistreat the poor. It suggests that their actions demonstrate a lack of compassion and reverence for God. The verse also implies that those who rejoice in the misfortune of others will ultimately face consequences for their callousness.
Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.”
Jesus rebukes the religious leaders for their hypocrisy, highlighting their meticulous observance of minor matters while neglecting weightier aspects of the law. He emphasizes the significance of practicing justice, mercy, and faithfulness, which are the true markers of genuine righteousness.
Proverbs 26:23
“Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.”
This proverb draws a comparison between a silver coating that conceals inferior earthenware and the deceitful words of someone with an evil heart. It cautions against being deceived by those who speak passionately or eloquently but have ulterior motives or malicious intentions.
Luke 12:1-2
“Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known.'”
Jesus warns His disciples about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, cautioning them to be vigilant against such behavior. He emphasizes that ultimately, the truth will be revealed, and hidden motives and actions will come to light.
Proverbs 11:9
“With their mouths, the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge, the righteous escape.”
This verse contrasts the destructive words of the godless with the wisdom and knowledge that protect the righteous. It reminds us of the power of words and encourages us to pursue understanding and discernment to avoid falling into the trap of deceitful speech.
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”
Jesus highlights the importance of genuine faith and obedience, as opposed to mere outward professions of allegiance to Him. He warns against those who engage in religious activities but lack a genuine relationship with Him, indicating that true faith is not demonstrated solely through outward acts but also through a sincere and obedient heart.
Psalm 5:9
“Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues, they tell lies.”
This psalm describes the deceitful nature of some individuals, emphasizing that their words are untrustworthy due to the malice in their hearts. Their speech is likened to an open grave, signifying the destructive impact of their lies and deception.
Proverbs 10:18
“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”
This proverb addresses the foolishness of individuals who hide their hatred behind lies and engage in slanderous speech. It highlights the detrimental consequences of spreading false information and emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and avoiding malicious intent.
Matthew 15:7-9
“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.'”
Jesus confronts the religious leaders, quoting the prophecy of Isaiah, and exposes their hypocrisy. He reveals that their outward acts of worship and adherence to religious rules are empty and meaningless because their hearts are distant from a genuine relationship with God.
Proverbs 12:22
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
This proverb emphasizes God’s abhorrence of lying and deceit while emphasizing His pleasure in individuals who demonstrate trustworthiness and honesty. It underscores the importance of integrity and truthfulness in our interactions.
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.”
The apostle John encourages believers to exercise discernment and caution in evaluating the teachings and claims of those who profess to speak on behalf of God. He warns that false prophets abound and advises testing their message against the truth of God’s Word.
Proverbs 12:19
“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”
This proverb underscores the enduring nature of truthfulness and the fleeting nature of deceit. It conveys that lies may have temporary gains, but ultimately truth prevails and stands the test of time.
Matthew 24:24
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
Jesus foretells the rise of false messiahs and prophets who will deceive people with signs and wonders. He warns that their deception may be so convincing that even the faithful could be led astray if not for God’s protection and discernment.
Also Read: 21 Bible Verses about The Tongue Is a Two-Edged Sword (With Commentary)
Proverbs 14:25
“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.”
This proverb highlights the life-saving impact of a truthful witness who upholds honesty and integrity. Conversely, a false witness who engages in deceit brings harm and undermines justice.
Jeremiah 9:8
“Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak with deceit. With their mouths, each speaks cordially to their neighbor, but in their hearts, they set traps for them.”
Jeremiah laments the deceitful nature of people who use their words as weapons to harm and manipulate others. They may present themselves as friendly and kind but harbor malicious intentions, seeking to ensnare those around them.
James 1:26
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
The book of James emphasizes the importance of controlling one’s speech and warns against self-deception. True religion involves more than mere outward appearances or professions of faith; it encompasses genuine transformation that affects our words and actions.
Proverbs 26:28
“A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
This proverb reveals the destructive nature of lying and flattery. It points out that lies cause harm and that those who employ flattery often have ulterior motives that lead to ruinous outcomes.
Matthew 15:18
“But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.”
Jesus emphasizes that the words we speak are a reflection of the condition of our hearts. What we say reveals the true nature within us, whether it is genuine and righteous or filled with deceit and wickedness.
Proverbs 21:6
“A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.”
This proverb warns against pursuing wealth or success through dishonest means. It cautions that ill-gotten gains acquired through lies are transient and can ensnare the one who pursues them.
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.”
The apostle Paul encourages believers to reject falsehood and embrace truthfulness in their interactions with others. As members of the same body of Christ, honesty and authenticity are vital for fostering unity and genuine relationships.
These Bible verses commentaries shed light on the presence of fake people, the danger of hypocrisy, and the importance of discernment and truthfulness. They serve as reminders to seek genuineness, integrity, and sincerity in our relationships and interactions.
What does the Bible say about Fake People?
The Bible does not explicitly use the term “fake people,” but it addresses various aspects of human behavior, character, and relationships that could be related to the concept. While the specific term may not be mentioned, the Bible provides wisdom and guidance on how believers should discern and deal with deceitful or hypocritical individuals.
- Hypocrisy: The Bible speaks strongly against hypocrisy, which can be considered a form of being fake. Jesus criticized the Pharisees and religious leaders of His time for their outward displays of righteousness while lacking sincerity in their hearts (Matthew 23:27-28).
- Dishonesty: Proverbs 12:22 states that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. Honesty and truthfulness are highly valued in biblical teachings, and those who engage in deceitful behavior are seen as unfaithful.
- Integrity: Psalm 15:2-3 describes the characteristics of those who can dwell in God’s holy hill, and it includes speaking truth in one’s heart and not slandering others. This implies that genuine people show consistency between their actions and beliefs.
- Fruitful Actions: In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus warns about false prophets and advises that we can discern them by their fruits. A good tree bears good fruit, and a corrupt tree bears bad fruit. Therefore, a person’s actions can reveal their authenticity.
- Loving Correction: Galatians 6:1 instructs believers to restore someone who has been caught in a trespass gently. This suggests that there should be a loving approach to help people change, even if they have been deceptive or fallen into sinful behavior.
- Avoiding Bad Company: 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns that bad company corrupts good morals. While not directly about fake people, this verse emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with genuine and righteous companions.
In summary, the Bible encourages believers to pursue sincerity, honesty, and integrity in their lives and interactions with others. While the term “fake people” may not be explicitly used, the principles and teachings of the Bible provide guidance on how to identify and respond to deceitful or hypocritical behavior.