In a world where honesty often seems like a scarce commodity, the timeless wisdom of the Bible shines as a beacon of truth and integrity.
Bible verses about not lying is a source of guidance and inspiration for millions, containing a wealth of verses that admonish against the destructive act of lying.
Bible Verses About Not Lying
These verses resonate through the ages, offering profound insights into the consequences of deceit and the importance of living a life built on trust and honesty.
Join us on a journey through the pages of the Bible as we explore the profound and enlightening verses that illuminate the path to truth, integrity, and the enduring power of a faithful heart.
Proverbs 12:22 (ESV) – God Loves Righteousness
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Exodus 20:16 (ESV) – Never Bear false witness
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Leviticus 19:11 (ESV) – Don’t Live a Dubious Life
“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.”
Proverbs 19:5 (ESV) – liars Will Not Go Unpunished
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.”
Ephesians 4:25 (ESV) Live a Righteous Life
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”
Colossians 3:9 (ESV) – Have a New Life In Christ
“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.”
Proverbs 14:5 (ESV) – Be Faithful
“A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.”
Psalm 34:13 (ESV) – Never Deceive Others
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.”
Revelation 21:8 (ESV) – Liars Have a Place In Hell
“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.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV) – God Hate Liars
“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.”
Zechariah 8:16 (ESV)
“These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace.”
Proverbs 12:19 (ESV)
“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
Psalm 101:7 (ESV)
“No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”
Psalm 119:163 (ESV)
“I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.”
Psalm 15:2 (ESV)
“He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart.”
Proverbs 13:5 (ESV)
“The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.”
Psalm 120:2 (ESV)
“Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.”
Proverbs 17:4 (ESV)
“An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.”
Psalm 119:29 (ESV)
“Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!”
Proverbs 21:6 (ESV)
“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.”
Psalm 58:3 (ESV)
“The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies.”
Proverbs 19:22 (ESV)
“What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.”
Psalm 120:3 (ESV)
“What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?”
Revelation 22:15 (ESV)
“Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
Psalm 109:2-3 (ESV)
“For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.”
Proverbs 24:28 (ESV)
“Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.”
Psalm 52:3-4 (ESV)
“You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.”
Jeremiah 9:3 (ESV)
“They bend their tongue like a bow; falsehood and not truth has grown strong in the land; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know me, declares the Lord.”
Psalm 12:2 (ESV)
“Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.”
Proverbs 26:28 (ESV)
“A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Psalm 5:6 (ESV)
“You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.”
Proverbs 30:8-9 (ESV)
“Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”
Psalm 119:163 (ESV)
“I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.”
Proverbs 4:24 (ESV)
“Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.”
Psalm 101:7 (ESV)
“No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”
Proverbs 12:17 (ESV)
“Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.”
Psalm 58:3 (ESV)
“The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies.”
Proverbs 14:25 (ESV)
“A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.”
Proverbs 17:20 (ESV)
“A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.”
Zechariah 8:17 (ESV)
“Do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.”
Bible verses about lying and deceit
Bible verses about lying and deceit underscore the significance of truthfulness, the consequences of dishonesty, and the importance of living with integrity.
They teach that honesty aligns us with God’s will, fosters trust in relationships, and guides us toward righteousness and divine favor.
Proverbs 12:22 (ESV)
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Exodus 20:16 (ESV)
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Leviticus 19:11 (ESV)
“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.”
Proverbs 19:9 (ESV)
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.”
Ephesians 4:25 (ESV)
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”
Colossians 3:9 (ESV)
“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.”
Proverbs 14:5 (ESV)
“A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.”
Psalm 34:13 (ESV)
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.”
Revelation 21:8 (ESV)
“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.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV)
“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.”
Zechariah 8:16 (ESV)
“These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace.”
Psalm 119:163 (ESV)
“I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.”
Proverbs 12:19 (ESV)
“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
Psalm 101:7 (ESV)
“No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”
Psalm 58:3 (ESV)
“The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies.”
What God says about lying in the Bible?
In the Bible, lying is consistently condemned as a sinful act. God emphasizes the importance of truthfulness, honesty, and integrity in one’s words and actions.
Lying is seen as a violation of God’s commandments and a reflection of a deceitful heart. Believers are encouraged to speak truthfully, avoid falsehoods, and strive for sincerity in all aspects of life.
The Bible teaches that lies can lead to harmful consequences and damage trust in relationships, emphasizing the value of honesty as a fundamental virtue in the eyes of God.
God’s word is unmistakable in being truthful and honest, we can find His favor and the way to lead a life of meaning, authenticity, and divine grace.
Consequences Of Lying In The Bible
The Bible teaches that lying brings negative consequences. When people don’t tell the truth, it leads to problems and hurts relationships.
The Bible emphasizes honesty and warns against deceit because lying can damage trust and cause harm. Proverbs 12:22 states that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, highlighting the serious nature of dishonesty.
In the Bible, lying often leads to trouble and can have lasting effects on individuals and communities. Essentially, the message is clear: honesty is valued, and lying brings about negative consequences.
1. Broken Trust
Proverbs 12:22 (NIV) – “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Consequence: Lying leads to a breach of trust, harming relationships and diminishing one’s reliability.
2. Divine Displeasure
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV) – “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:… a lying tongue… a false witness who pours out lies…”
Consequence: Lying goes against God’s values, earning His displeasure and disapproval.
3. Self-Destruction
Proverbs 19:9 (NIV) – “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.”
Consequence: Engaging in deceitful practices can lead to personal harm and negative consequences for the liar.
4. Strained Relationships
Ephesians 4:25 (NIV) – “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Consequence: Lying damages relationships within communities and families, creating discord and misunderstanding.
5. Legal Consequences
Exodus 20:16 (NIV) – “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
Consequence: Lying may lead to legal consequences and societal repercussions, as it is discouraged by biblical principles and moral standards.
Conclusion
Scriptures about not lying provide a timeless moral compass in a society when the truth frequently seems elusive.
They serve as a reminder that integrity and trust are built on honesty. These passages exhort us to communicate with others authentically by speaking the truth in love.
Let us resolve to be examples of sincerity in a society that yearns for authenticity as we reflect on these holy words.
By doing this, we appreciate the wisdom of the Bible and help to create a more kind and honest world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about lying?
The Bible strongly condemns lying. Proverbs 12:22 (NIV) states, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Are there specific commandments against lying in the Bible?
Yes, one of the Ten Commandments addresses this. Exodus 20:16 (NIV) says, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
Why is lying considered wrong in the Bible?
Lying is considered wrong because it goes against the nature of God, who values truth and integrity. Ephesians 4:25 (NIV) advises, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Are there consequences mentioned for those who lie in the Bible?
Yes, Proverbs 19:9 (NIV) notes, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.” There are both spiritual and practical consequences for dishonesty.
How can one avoid lying according to the Bible?
The Bible encourages believers to cultivate honesty and integrity. Proverbs 4:24 (NIV) advises, “Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.”
Can forgiveness be sought for lying?
Yes, seeking forgiveness for lying is encouraged. 1 John 1:9 (NIV) assures, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Are there positive examples of truthfulness in the Bible?
Yes, Joseph in the Old Testament (Genesis 39-45) and Nathanael in the New Testament (John 1:45-51) are praised for their honesty and sincerity.
How does lying affect relationships, according to the Bible?
Lying damages trust and strains relationships. Proverbs 12:22 (NIV) emphasizes that the Lord delights in those who are trustworthy, highlighting the importance of honesty in building strong relationships.
Is there a difference between a “white lie” and a lie according to the Bible?
The Bible doesn’t differentiate between types of lies. It emphasizes truthfulness in all situations. Ephesians 4:25 (NIV) encourages believers to speak truthfully to one another.
What can one do to cultivate a truthful character?
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) advises, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Cultivating a truthful character involves guarding one’s heart and aligning actions with God’s principles.
