What does the Bible say about lying lips?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible condemns lying as hateful to God and contrary to the new life he gives his people in Christ. Proverbs 6:16-19 places a lying tongue and false witness among the sins the Lord hates, while Proverbs 12:22 says lying lips are an abomination to him. Though deception may appear useful for a moment, truth endures, as Proverbs 12:19 teaches. Jesus identifies the devil as the father of lies in John 8:44, and Revelation 21:8 warns of judgment for the unrepentantly false. Therefore believers, renewed in Christ, must put away falsehood and speak truthfully, as Colossians 3:9-10 instructs, trusting God rather than deceit.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Proverbs 6:16-19 12 votes

    There are six things which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.

  • Proverbs 12:22 11 votes

    Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.

  • Proverbs 12:19 8 votes

    Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.

  • John 8:44 7 votes

    You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.

  • Revelation 21:8 6 votes

    But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

  • Exodus 23:1 4 votes

    “You shall not spread a false report. Don’t join your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness.

  • Colossians 3:9-10 3 votes

    Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,

  • Proverbs 24:28 3 votes

    Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.

  • 1 Peter 5:8 3 votes

    Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

  • Ephesians 6:1 3 votes

    Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about lying lips and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about lying lips