How many of you remember being young kid and having a parent tell you not to lie? Ever since childhood, most of us have been taught not to lie, but most of us have never known the reasons why we shouldn’t lie. Through Bible verses about honesty and Bible verses about integrity, we’ll discover why lying is such a big deal and why honesty and integrity are so powerful. So, let’s go!
What the Bible Says About Honesty & Integrity
As you read the Bible, you’ll discover that honesty and integrity are like core values to God. One of the key scriptures that shows us what the Bible says about honesty and integrity comes from Numbers 23:19. It reads:
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? - Numbers 23:19
Honesty and integrity are in the very nature of God. So, it should come as no surprise that the Bible encourages honesty, integrity, and living a righteous life. Now that we’ve discovered a bit about what the Bible says about honesty and integrity, we’ll learn more about why honesty and integrity matter so deeply to God.
Why Honesty & Integrity Matter to God
Though there are so many Bible verses about integrity and Bible verses about honesty in the Bible, we know that honesty and integrity matter deeply to God. But some of you may be asking, “Why?” do honesty and integrity matter so much to God.
When we look at the fall of man in Genesis 3, we read that the serpent was crafty and that he lied to Adam and Eve, deceiving them into eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A simple, sneaky lie through the devil was what led to sin entering the earth.
No wonder God values honesty and integrity so much! If it weren’t for a lie, we would have perfect peace on earth, and the fall of man wouldn’t have happened. So, now that we know what the Bible says about honesty and integrity and learned a bit more about why honesty and integrity matter so much to God, it’s time to read what the scriptures say about this topic.
Bible Verses About Honesty & Integrity
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.- Proverbs 10:9
Bible verses about honesty and integrity can be found throughout the Proverbs. Think of the book of Proverbs as a wisdom, honesty, and integrity playbook. Because Proverbs is full of Bible verses on honesty and integrity, it’s a great place to start when reading the Bible.
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. - Proverbs 12:22
As you can see, Proverbs 12:2 is another Bible verse for honesty and integrity. Did you know there’s a Proverb for every day of the month? You can grow in your knowledge of scripture while renewing your mind with Bible verses about honesty and integrity.
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
Bible verses on honesty and integrity invite us to speak the truth in love. Little lies aren’t so little in the end. This Bible verse about honesty and integrity encourages believers to put off falsehood, speak truthfully, and love their neighbors through honesty.
Learn more about how to love your neighbor and see God move in your neighborhood: Front Yard Missions: How to Change Your Neighborhood
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. - 1 John 3:18
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk?” This Bible verse about honesty and integrity is telling Christians to do exactly that. Loving others through our words is great, but the follow-through on our words requires our honesty and integrity. When we say we’ll help others, it’s essential that we actually help people. When we say we’ll give financially, we must follow through on our promise. Bible verses about honesty and integrity encourage Christians to live out what they say and mean what they believe.
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. - Proverbs 11:3
Proverbs 11:3 is another Bible verse on honesty and integrity that is found in the book of Proverbs. Honesty and integrity are like guides that lead us on the right path in life. The warning in this Bible verse on honesty and integrity is that a lack of faithfulness and a life of duplicity will lead to destruction.
Related Post: What Does the Bible Say About Judgement?
O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; - Psalm 15:1-2
Do you want to get closer to God? It's simple: be integrous and honest. This Bible verse about honesty and integrity shows us that those who do what is right and speak with honesty are bound to be close to God. This is great news for everyone seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus!
Learn more about how to grow closer to God in our blog: Refresh Your Faith: 7 Bible Verses for Connection with God
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." - Exodus 20:16
This Bible verse about honesty and integrity comes from the Ten Commandments. The phrase, “You shall not bear false witness,” is another way of saying “You shall not lie.” Bible verses on honesty and integrity show us that lying not only grieves the heart of God, but it also hurts those around us.
Discover more about how to walk humbly with God: What Does It Mean to Walk in Humility?
An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. -Proverbs 14:5
Bible verses about honesty and integrity warn us to run from deception. A false witness is someone who lies. An honest witness is someone who tells the truth and flees from deception. Because of Jesus, Christians have the fruits of the Spirit. One of these fruits of the Spirit empowers Christians to have self-control in every situation.
Learn more about this fruit of the spirit in our blog: What Does the Bible Actually Say About Self-Control?
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices. - Colossians 3:9
This Bible verse about honesty and integrity tells Christians not to lie. But why shouldn't we lie? Because as Christians, we’ve taken off the old self and we’re now made new in Christ! Because of Jesus, Christians receive the Holy Spirit and are empowered by the fruits of the Spirit.
Discover what the fruits of the Spirit are and how you can begin to walk in them today: What Are the Fruits of the Spirit in the Bible?
Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise, you will be condemned. - James 5:12
Sometimes, we say “Yes” when we really mean “No.” This Bible verse on honesty and integrity tells us to be honest with our words, especially when it comes to our commitments. The Book of James in the New Testament is full of Bible verses about honesty and integrity to help you live out your faith.
You can start studying the book of James to grow in honesty and integrity today: James 1 - 5 | ESV
So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. - Acts 24:16
Bible verses about honesty and integrity invite us to live in a way that pleases God and is striking to others. As you live with a clear conscience because of your honesty and integrity, others around you will wonder why you’re so honest, integrous, and genuine. These curiosities and questions open up a door to share the good news of Jesus with others.
Learn more about how to share your faith with others in our blog: How to Embrace Your Mission & Grow In Evangelism
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. - 1 Chronicles 29:17
This Bible verse about honesty and integrity shows us that God is pleased when we choose to live with integrity. In a world where so many lie, cheat, and steal their way through life, it brings joy to God when we choose His way instead.
Hear more about how God can change any heart: It’s Never Too Late: A Real-Story of God’s Redemption
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. - Proverbs 21:3
Wow: how crazy is this Bible verse about honesty and integrity! It is better to do what is right in God’s eyes than to sacrifice tremendously. A cross-reference to this Bible verse about honesty and integrity comes from 1 Samuel 15:22, which says, “Obedience is better than sacrifice”.
Discover more about obedience, honesty, and integrity in our blog: Why Obedience to God Is a Good Thing
The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed. - Proverbs 28:18
Sometimes, Bible verses about honesty and integrity show us the benefits of living a holy life. This Bible verse on honesty and integrity tells us that when we choose to be honest, we will be rescued from harm.
We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable. - 2 Corinthians 8:21
Bible verses about honesty and integrity warn Christians to live carefully. Oftentimes in life, we can hit cruise control and live on autopilot. However, Bible verses about honesty and integrity command us to live honorably, carefully, and with integrity.
Learn more about how to live carefully in our blog: 3 Reasons Why Christians Need to Live Alert
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. - James 1:26
This Bible verse about honesty and integrity warns Christians to keep a tight rein on their words. Bible verses on honesty and integrity tell us not to lie, slander, or gossip. When we choose to live with honesty and integrity, we honor God and represent Jesus to those around us.
Related Post: How Our Love For Jesus Helps Us Share Our Faith
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. - Matthew 5:8
Those who are pure in heart are those who practice honesty and integrity. This Bible verse about honesty and integrity comes from Matthew 5, which contains some of Jesus’ most famous teachings, mainly the Beatitudes & the Sermon on the Mount. Reading these Bible verses about honesty and integrity will help you love others like Jesus and live a life that points others to Him.
An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. - Proverbs 12:17
Bible verses about honesty and integrity plainly tell us not to lie. Whether you’re standing witness in a courtroom or standing witness to a fight between your kids, honesty is essential.
Related Post: How to Live the Gospel With Your Whole Life
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth - 2 Timothy 2:15
When you choose to live a life of honesty and integrity, you have no reason to be ashamed. Bible verses about honesty and integrity show us that as we follow Jesus, we become more like Him. Though we’ll never be perfect, we are called to present ourselves to God with honesty, integrity, and rightly handling the word of truth (which is the Gospel!)
Discover more about the Gospel and how to share the good news of Jesus with others: 4 Crucial Tips for Sharing the Good News
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. - 1 John 1:6
Bible verses about honesty and integrity warn us not to live a double life. When you have fellowship with God, you want to live in the light and live according to the Bible. If you’re living in sin, darkness, or deception, then Bible verses about honesty and integrity can help you get out of the cycle and into God’s light.
Learn more about how to renew your mind with the Bible: How to Practice Christian Meditation
Conclusion
As you can see, the Bible is clear that honesty and integrity are essential to following Jesus. Honesty and integrity grow over time, and as we learn to be more honest, we draw closer to God. From Genesis to the teachings of Jesus, we see how lying and deceitfulness bring harm, but living a life of honesty and integrity brings freedom, peace, and glory to God. Living honestly won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it. God honors those who commit to living a life of honesty and integrity. And the best part? Every time we choose truth over shortcuts and integrity over convenience, we point others to Jesus without even saying a word.
Want help along the way? Listen to the Everyday Faith Podcast to boost your faith and your identity in God. You can listen to the Everyday Faith Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. New episodes drop weekly!
