35 Bible Verses About Lying

Many Bible verses about lying warn us that lying is a great sin and should be avoided. Many people throughout history have lied and been ruined. Lying is a great sin in the eyes of God and He does not like it at all. God likes the truth and He also encourages us to speak the truth. In these Bible verses, God has taught us not to lie, not to bear false witness, and to always speak the truth. Many examples of such personalities are also given. In whose lives we see the effects of lies and their consequences. Important names among them are David, Pharaoh, Delilah, Satan, Judas, Ananias, Aaron, Jacob, Abraham, and Cain.

Lying as a Sin

Verse#

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Exodus 20:16

Explanation

God sent ten commandments to Moses and one of them was that he should not bear false witness against his neighbors. Lying is a grave sin and giving false testimony against someone damages his honor. Therefore, one should never lie or bear false witness.

Verse#2

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.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Proverbs 6:16-19

Explanation

In this verse, Solomon says that some things are very bad to God and He hates them: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that does mischief, feet that run to evil, and a testimony that is false against a person. All these things create a lot of distortions in society. God hates them a lot.

Verse#3

Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Leviticus 19:11

Explanation

In this verse God says through Moses that one should not lie or steal. God absolutely does not like people to deceive each other. Rather, he wants people to walk honestly and truthfully.

Verse#4

No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Psalm 101:7

Explanation

In this verse, Moses says that no liar or deceiver will come into God’s presence. Because God is pure and loves the truth. Therefore, there is no place for a liar and a cheater.

Verse#5

These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Zechariah 8:16

Explanation

In this verse, we have been taught that we should always make decisions truthfully. When someone is at our door for judgment, we should always judge with truth and justice and avoid lies.

Verse#6

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

Book

New-Testament

Reference

Colossians 3:9

Explanation

In this verse, Paul advises us that we should always follow the truth and not lie. We are Christians and Christians should not lie at all and live a pure life.

Verse#7

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

Ephesians 4:25

Explanation

In this verse Paul says that we are brothers and our example is like one body. So we should not lie to each other and always tell the truth. Because no one wants any part of his body to suffer.

Verse#8

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.”

Book

New-Testament

Reference

Revelation 21:8

Explanation

In this verse, John says that man will be punished eternally if he lies, murders and is a coward. God will cast those people into the Fire and they will remain in it forever.

Verse#9

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.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

John 8:44

Explanation

It is mentioned in this verse that the father of those who tell lies is Satan because Satan is the father of lies. Satan always lies. Therefore, this verse teaches us that we should stay away from lies.

Verse#10

I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

1 John 2:21

Explanation

In this verse, John says that lies and truth are two different things. A lie does not come from the truth. This means that lying is not done by the will of God, but it is done by the desires of man or by Satan. Lying is a sin. Therefore, God advises us to stay away from falsehood and adopt the truth.

The Result of Lying

Verse#11

A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Proverbs 19:5

Explanation

In this verse, Solomon says that God will surely punish those who lie and bear false witness. These people will definitely be punished.

Verse#12

You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Psalm 52:3

Explanation

In this verse, Solomon is talking about people who prefer lies to the truth and prefer evil to good. It is very displeasing to God and God always commands to tell the truth and forbids lying.

Verse#13

You have profaned me among my people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have killed those who should not have died and have spared those who should not live.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Ezekiel 13:19

Explanation

In this verse, God addresses the false prophets and says that they think that they will mislead the people by telling lies and wrong things. It is very displeasing to God that a person resorts to lies and starts ruining the lives of others.

Verse#14

The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (But he was lying to him.)

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

1 Kings 13:18

Explanation

This verse tells about a person who claimed to be a prophet but was a false person.

Verse#15

Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Jeremiah 9:5

Explanation

In this verse it is mentioned about such a person who always deceives his neighbors and does not speak the truth. Then it becomes his habit and he always tells lies and God gets angry because of his habit.

Verse#16

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

Galatians 6:7

Explanation

In this verse Paul says that we must not deceive and mock God. God has told us to tell the truth, but if we lie, we will be punished according to our deeds.

Verse#17

Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

Revelation 22:15

Explanation

In this verse, it is mentioned about such a person who tells lies, does magic, adultery and murder  . God does not allow him to enter heaven because of his lies and sends him to hell for punishment.

Verse#18

For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

Book

New-Testament

Reference

Matthew 15:19-20

Explanation

In this verse, Jesus tells about such sins that defile man and distance him from God. This includes evil thoughts, adultery, murder, slander and false witness.

Verse#19

But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

Romans 2:8

Explanation

In this verse Paul says that those who do not embrace goodness and do not speak the truth, but did evil and speak lies. God will send wrath upon them and punish them.

Verse#20

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Explanation

In this verse, Paul is talking about people who did not follow the truth but followed the path of lies. Paul says that such people will be punished because they loved a lie instead of the truth.

Lying And Biblical Personalities

Satan, Adam And Eve

Satan lied to Eve and Adam and said that if they ate the fruit of this tree, they would live forever and gain the powers of God. Because of which Adam and Eve ate the fruit of this tree and God humiliated Satan for his lie.

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5) 

Cain And Abel

Cain killed Abel due to jealousy and when God asked him about Abel. He said that he doesn’t know where he is?

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)

Abraham And Sarah

Abraham and Sarah had moved to another country at the command of God and that country was ruled by Pharaoh. Abraham and Sarah told a lie to protect themselves and said that Sarah was not Abraham’s wife but his sister.

And there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. (Genesis 20:2)

Jacob

Jacob lied to his father Isaac by pretending to be Esau and took Esau’s birthright blessing.

Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.” (Genesis 27:19)

Joseph’s Brother

Joseph‘s brothers lied to Jacob and forced him into a life of slavery, and they went to their father and told him that Joseph had been attacked by a wild animal. That’s why he was no longer in this world. 

Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.” (Genesis 37:31-32)

Potiphar’s Wife And Joseph

Potiphar’s wife began to like Joseph very much. She tried to do wrong things to him to get Joseph. Joseph tried to run away to save his life, but this woman falsely accused Joseph and lied.

Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” (Genesis 39:17-18)

Moses And Pharaoh

Moses asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Pharaoh promised and let him go. But later Pharaoh broke his promise and chased Moses and the Israelites to destroy them. 

Moses answered, “As soon as I leave you, I will pray to the Lord, and tomorrow the flies will leave Pharaoh and his officials and his people. Only let Pharaoh be sure that he does not act deceitfully again by not letting the people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.” (Exodus 8:29)

Aaron

Aaron hid the fact that the Israelites had started worshipping a golden calf. Hiding is the same as lying. 

So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” (Exodus 32:24)

Delilah

Delilah was spying for the Philistines and she lied and said that she loved Samson. She really wanted to know the secret of his strength so that the Philistines could destroy him. 

Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength.” With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it. So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.” (Judges 16:15-17)

Saul

Saul was commanded by God to kill all the army, rulers, and animals, but Saul did not do so and even lied to Samuel. 

When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.” But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” (1 Samuel 15:13-14)

Ananias And Sapphira

Ananias and Sapphira sold their property for a high price but told Peter that their property was sold for a small price, which was a lie. 

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.” (Acts 5:3-4)

Judas

Judas betrayed Jesus for a few coins and lied. 

While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:47-48)

False Prophets

There were many false prophets who claimed false prophecy, but God destroyed them through Elijah.

But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. (Revelation 19:20)

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

These verses tell us about lies and remind us that one should always stay away from lies because lies destroy a person. God always advises His servants to do good deeds and always support the truth. God forbids lying. By reading these Bible verses, we learn that lying is a great sin and it creates corruption in the society. Therefore, one should not follow a lie or give false testimony. False testimony destroys a person’s life and honor. One should always speak the truth and avoid lying.