Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but they that deal truly are His delight (Proverbs 12:22). The ninth commandment forbids false witness (Exodus 20:16). Believers are told to put away lying and speak truth with their neighbor (Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9).
The Bible treats lying as serious: it breaks trust, harms neighbors, and opposes God's character. These twelve King James passages warn against falsehood and call God's people to truthful speech—practical for anyone seeking Scripture on honesty, integrity, and the tongue.
God hates lying lips
1. Proverbs 12:22
"Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight."
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Truth-telling delights God; lies disgust Him.
2. Proverbs 6:16-19
"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
Among seven things the LORD hates are a lying tongue and a false witness that speaketh lies. Lying sits with pride and violence in God's list.
3. Proverbs 12:19
"The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment."
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Truth lasts; lies collapse.
4. Proverbs 19:9
"A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish."
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. False testimony carries judgment.
Commanded to speak truth
5. Exodus 20:16
"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. The ninth commandment protects neighbors from slander and courtroom lies.
6. Ephesians 4:25
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another."
Putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Truth-telling belongs to life in the body of Christ.
7. Colossians 3:9
"Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;"
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. New life in Christ includes putting off deceit.
8. Zechariah 8:16
"These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:"
Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates. Truth and just judgment go together.
Guard your tongue
9. Psalms 34:13
"Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile."
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Guile—crafty speech—is to be refused.
10. Psalms 101:7
"He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight."
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. David's household standard rejects liars.
11. Leviticus 19:11
"Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another."
Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. Honesty is woven with justice in the holy life of Israel.
12. John 8:44
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
Jesus says the devil is a liar, and the father of it. Lying aligns with the enemy's character—not the Father's.
A short prayer
God of truth, forgive my lying lips and crafty words. Put away deceit in me. Teach me to speak truth with my neighbor and to delight You by dealing truly. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Download our free SOAP study page · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about lying?
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD (Proverbs 12:22). The ninth commandment forbids false witness (Exodus 20:16). Christians are commanded to put away lying (Ephesians 4:25).
Where is "thou shalt not bear false witness"?
Exodus 20:16 (also Deuteronomy 5:20). It forbids false testimony against a neighbor.
Is all lying the same in Scripture?
Scripture condemns lying, false witness, and guile broadly. Some narratives are complex; the clear teaching for God's people is to speak truth (Ephesians 4:25; Zechariah 8:16).
How do I stop lying according to the Bible?
Put off the old man (Colossians 3:9), speak truth as members one of another (Ephesians 4:25), and ask God to keep your tongue from guile (Psalm 34:13).
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about guarding your heart · Bible verses about humility · Bible verses about forgiveness · Bible verses about friendship · Bible verses about faith
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
