We’re living in a time where telling the truth doesn’t seem to matter much anymore. Little lies, white lies, half-truths – they slip into our conversations without a second thought. But the Bible doesn’t take dishonesty lightly. In fact, it contains many different warnings about the harm lying can do.
If you’ve ever wondered how serious God is about speaking the truth, these 20 Scriptures will tell us more. Let’s discover what the Bible says about the power of our words and why we should prioritize honesty.
Proverbs 12:22
“The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”
The verse above really drives home how God feels about dishonesty. When it says that He “detests” lying lips, it really shows that deceit should not be taken as a minor issue. God wants us to act with integrity in a way that reflects His character. Sometimes, we encounter situations when it’s more convenient to bend the truth. But let the Scripture above remind us that trustworthiness is valued not only by God but also by those around us. Being known as someone who speaks the truth builds a solid foundation of trust.
Psalm 34:13
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
The verse above offers timeless wisdom. “Keep your tongue from evil” suggests that we have a choice in how we express ourselves. We always have a choice not to speak ill against others. It then tells us that honesty requires mindfulness and discipline, and our words have an impact on others. We can always choose to speak truthfully to create an environment that fosters trust and love. After all, honesty creates healthy relationships, and who doesn’t want that?
Mark 7:20-23
“He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
In the passage above, Jesus speaks to the heart of the matter. He says that our words reflect what is truly within us. As you can see, lying is categorized alongside some serious offenses. That goes to show that lying or deceit should not be taken lightly. Rather, it should be taken as a deep moral issue.
The verses above invite us to reflect and ask ourselves: What are the motivations behind my words? If we find ourselves bending the truth, it might be time to examine our hearts and intentions.
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.”
In the Scripture above, Paul is urging the early Christians to change their old ways which include dishonesty. It should be something that we leave behind as we grow in our faith.
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.”
In the verse above, John relates our relationship with God and our ability to be honest. If we claim that we walk alongside God, then our words and actions should reflect that. When we say we are in fellowship with Him, we cannot live in darkness, which symbolizes sin, deceit, and separation from God. Instead, our lives should exhibit the light of truth. In practical terms, this means owning up to our mistakes, speaking truthfully, and living in a way that reflects our commitment to God. Let God’s truth transform us from the inside out.
Proverbs 10:9
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
The verse above describes honesty and integrity as a shield that leads to security. If we are speaking the truth, then we should not fear the consequences of our actions. Conversely, if we keep being dishonest, we would constantly worry about being discovered. Ultimately, this Scripture encourages us to choose the straight path of truth to walk securely in our relationships and daily interactions.
Proverbs 14:5
“An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.”
The verse above compares two types of witnesses. One who is honest and stands firm in the truth, and the other one is a false witness who spreads lies without thinking much of the consequences. With this comparison, we are reminded that our words can impact other people’s lives. When we speak the truth, we contribute to justice and fairness. Conversely, if we bear false witness, it can cause real harm. This means that we should be advocates of truth in our communities.
Proverbs 16:28
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
The verse above does not explicitly mention lying, but as we know gossip and deceit often go hand in hand. These two toxic traits often cause strife in relationships. The act of spreading gossip can poison relationships and cause damage that might be irreparable. Again, we are reminded of the power our words have. Be mindful of what comes out of our mouths, for it could strengthen or damage our most cherished relationships.
Proverbs 15:4
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
The verse above tells the difference between a “soothing” and a “perverse” tongue. The former reflects the power of words to bring life and encouragement, while the latter can lead to destruction and heartache. We are reminded once again that our words carry weight and can significantly impact those around us. If we speak truthfully and kindly, we can uplift others and create a positive environment. On the other hand, if we choose deceit, it could cause pain and division in our relationships with others.
Proverbs 10:32
“The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.”
The verse above describes a contrast between the speech of the righteous with that of the wicked. Those who are righteous understand the importance of speaking appropriately, while the wicked are drawn to perverse and deceitful language. Which character should we aspire to embody?
Proverbs 17:7
“Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—how much worse lying lips to a ruler!”
The verse above speaks to the people in positions of authority. When those in power are dishonest, it can lead to significant consequences for those they govern. That’s why in leadership, honesty should be given priority. But more than that, whether in positions of authority or in everyday situations, we have a responsibility to be truthful and uphold integrity.
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.”
This is a bold and striking statement from Jesus. Here, He reveals the dangerous nature of lies. He connects deceit to the devil, saying that if we engage in dishonesty, we align ourselves with the very source of lies. Let the verse above motivate you to choose honesty in all situations. Rather than speaking lies, strive to emulate God by speaking the truth.
Proverbs 30:8
“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”
Agur, who is speaking in the Proverbs above, states a heartfelt plea for honesty and a simple, contented life. His desire to keep deception away speaks to the importance of living authentically. This Scripture invites us to focus on what truly matters – our relationship with God and the pursuit of truth. A life lived with honesty is a life marked by contentment and peace.
Matthew 5:11
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”
At times, our fear of backlash stops us from being honest. According to the verse above, Jesus knows that telling the truth can bring hardship. When we defend what’s right and refuse to accept lies, we might face opposition.
This Bible passage reminds us that sticking to our beliefs can be a blessing even when things get tough. If people give us a hard time, we can take comfort in knowing we’re following Jesus’ example. Don’t be scared to stand up for the truth even when it’s not popular. In the end, this can strengthen our faith and inspire others to be honest, too.
Proverbs 8:13
“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
If we claim to fear the Lord, then we should also hate all forms of evil, including deceitful speech. We should know that lying is considered evil. So, the verse above is a reminder for us to speak with reverence and care. We should always seek wisdom and understanding, allowing our conversations to be grounded in truth and integrity.
Acts 5:3-4
“Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
The Scripture above briefly tells us about the story of Ananias and Sapphira. In their attempt to appear generous, they lied about the proceeds from their land sale. This passage emphasizes that lying, especially in the context of faith, can have severe consequences.
It teaches us that our dishonesty isn’t just a matter of human relationships. Rather, it directly affects our relationship with God. Reflecting on this story, we are reminded of the importance of transparency and authenticity in our faith. Deception can damage our spiritual lives and the community around us. Honesty fosters trust and accountability, essential elements of a thriving faith community. When you think you are lying to others, you are actually lying to God, who knows the whole truth.
Proverbs 4:24
“Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.”
Here, we receive direct advice on how to speak. The verse above encourages us to consciously avoid corrupt or deceitful language. Being mindful of our speech allows us to maintain a standard of integrity. This Scripture encourages us to reflect on our conversations and make intentional choices to speak truthfully.
Proverbs 11:13
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
Let’s talk about gossip once again, and the value of trustworthiness in relationships. Gossip can lead to broken confidences and damaged friendships, while those who are trustworthy honor the secrets shared with them. The Scripture above highlights the importance of being careful with our words and the information entrusted to us. Being known as someone who keeps secrets strengthens relationships and trust. So, avoid gossip and deceit, and strive to be faithful stewards of the trust others place in us.
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.”
The powerful passage above lists the things that the Lord detests, and lying is one of them. It says that lying is one of the grave offenses, emphasizing the seriousness of dishonesty and its consequences. This alone should motivate us to always embrace truthfulness in our lives, always seek righteousness and integrity, and avoid behaviors that God finds detestable.
Proverbs 19:9
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.”
The final verse reminds us that dishonesty has consequences. Those who lie and bear false witness cannot escape the repercussions of their actions. Our words have long-term effects, so always choose honesty above everything else.
Embracing Truth in Our Lives
As we reflect on these Scriptures, we can see that honesty isn’t just a good habit. It’s a fundamental principle of our faith. God wants us to be truthful in our hearts and in our words. So, let’s push ourselves to be honest every day. This means in our daily interactions with friends, family, or people we work with. We should hold tight to these Biblical principles so we can live with integrity and purpose.
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Vidivir is a dedicated high school teacher and a loving mother of three. With over a decade of experience as a blogger and article writer, she has honed her craft in storytelling. As a devoted church lector and servant of God, she combines her passion for writing with her faith, aiming to inspire others through her words.