Deceit, practice of

Deceit is condemned by God as an attempt to deny his sovereignty and his revelation of himself.

Deceit is forbidden by God

Condemnation of deception in general

Leviticus 19:11 See also Proverbs 12:22, Proverbs 24:28

You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another.

False witnesses condemned

Exodus 20:16 parallel Deuteronomy 5:20 See also Proverbs 12:17, Proverbs 14:5, Proverbs 19:9

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

False measures prohibited

Leviticus 19:35 See also Deuteronomy 25:13; Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 20:10; Micah 6:11

You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume.

Spiritual deception condemned

Titus 1:16 See also Malachi 1:14; Matthew 23:27–28; Luke 6:46; Romans 2:21

They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

Deception must not be found in the people of God

God's people must not practise deceit

1 Peter 2:1 See also Job 27:4; Psalm 24:3–4, Psalm 32:2; Zephaniah 3:13; John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 5:8; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9; 1 Peter 3:10; Revelation 14:5

Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.

Christian leaders in particular must not deceive

2 Corinthians 4:2 See also 2 Corinthians 1:12, 2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:3–5; 1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:7

Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

God's people warned against being deceived

Ephesians 5:6 See also Jeremiah 29:8; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, 1 Corinthians 15:33; Galatians 6:7; Colossians 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 John 3:7

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

Deceit results in God's judgment

Psalm 5:6 See also Deuteronomy 25:16; Psalm 55:23, Psalm 119:118; Proverbs 20:17, Proverbs 21:6; Jeremiah 9:8–9; Ezekiel 13:9; Acts 5:9–10; Revelation 21:8, Revelation 21:27, Revelation 22:15

You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.