40 Important Bible Verses About Dishonesty

Dishonesty is one bad habit some people struggle with, while some carry on with the habit deliberately. For some people, they become dishonest when they find themselves in certain situations they can’t help so they lie or cheat just to keep up and save themselves. But whatever the situation may be, it is always better to be honest. Unfortunately, it seem almost impossible to deal honestly with people especially in a world where those who are dishonest seem to be appreciated more. Whether you become dishonest because of a situation or you just do it consciously, a lie is a lie. God condemns dishonesty in all forms. And as Christ followers, we have been called to be trustworthy just as Christ was during is time on earth. The Bible encourages us to live a life of integrity and be honest with our words and actions at all times, not only when it is convenient for us. Join us in this blog as we explore some important Bible verses that deals with dishonesty and how it affects our relationship with God and people.

It is important we note that we can’t help people by lying, this is for those who think that by lying on behalf of someone they are helping. Being dishonest spoils our relationship with our friends, family and colleagues. When people discover that you lied or cheated, the trust they have for you will be utterly broken and at that point, the reason why you lied wouldn’t matter. Not only does dishonesty ruins our relationship with people, it also mars our relationship with God. The Bible records that God hates a lying tongue. When we deal with people in dishonest ways, it hinders us from going to God. At that point we will lack the boldness to go to him and at such we derail from him. Dishonesty is a habit that is hard to put up with, because once you tell a lie you will need many more lies to cover up.

Whether it is in business negotiations, political race, academic pursuit and even for marital purpose, let us walk in integrity and resist the urge to deceive people no matter how pleasing and easy it may seem. And for those who struggle with dishonesty because of situations they find themselves in, I encourage you to continually ask the Holy Spirit for boldness to always speak the truth no matter how hard it is.

Proverbs 12 22

What Does The Bible Say About Dishonesty?

The Bible encourages us in several verses to uphold integrity and trustworthiness. Honesty in the Bible is a virtue that is cherished and celebrated by God. The Bible made us to understand that honesty is a godly thing. God expressly commanded us not to lie. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices{Colossians 3:9} . You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor {Exodus 20:16} These are straight forward commandments from God against telling lies.

Proverbs 12:22 “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy”. This verse from the scripture sounds like a subtle reminder, reminding us that God detests lying lips, but delights greatly in those who are trustworthy.

Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them”. This scripture underscores the importance of walking in uprightness and the consequence of being perverse. It declares integrity as a guard to those to hold it.

Proverbs 19:5 “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free”. This Bible verses states the consequences of lying. Punishments awaits dishonest people who deceive other people and lie against each other. See below for more Bible verses about dishonesty. These verses will you understand God’s view on dishonesty, it also renders help on how to resist and overcome the urge to tell lies and cheat.

Exodus 20 16

Bible Verses About Dishonesty

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. – Proverbs 12:22
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. – Proverbs 10:9
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. – Luke 16:10
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. – Exodus 20:16
The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him. – Proverbs 11:1
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices. – Colossians 3:9
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood. – Proverbs 6:16-19
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. – Ephesians 4:25
A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free. – Proverbs 19:5
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. – Proverbs 24:26
For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. – 1 Peter 3:10
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. – Galatians 6:7
If I have walked with falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit—let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless. – Job 31:5-6
No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely shall stand in my presence. – Psalm 101:7
One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble. – Proverbs 17:20
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. – Revelation 21:8
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. – Psalms 24:4
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. – Proverbs 28:13
I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law. – Psalm 119:163
All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. – Matthew 5:37
Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts never given. – Proverbs 25:14
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. – James 3:14
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good. – Titus 1:16
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. – 1 John 1:6
Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel. – Proverbs 20:17
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. – Matthew 7:15
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. – Romans 12:17
Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own pit, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. – Proverbs 28:10
Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law. – Psalm 119:29
We are guilty of rebellion and treachery against the Lord; turning our backs on our God. – Isaiah 59:13
Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. – Romans 3:13
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, But the one who gathers by labor increases it. – Proverbs 13:11
Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord, And a false scale is not good. – Proverbs 20:23
You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measurement of weight, or capacity. – Leviticus 19:35
Can I justify wicked scales And a bag of deceptive weights? – Micah 6:11
Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain. – 1 Timothy 3:8
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. – 2 Corinthians 11:13
Jeremiah 22:17 “But your eyes and your heart Are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, And on shedding innocent blood And on practicing oppression and extortion.
His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice. – 1 Samuel 8:3
A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends. – Proverbs 16:28