On numerous occasions, the Bible denounces any form of deceit, deception, and dishonesty, emphatically advocating for truth and justice. The Bible’s stance on fraud is not only clear but also firm. Any practice that involves misrepresentation or deceit is seen as abhorrent and in direct contravention of God’s commands. While the Bible mainly addresses fraud from a moral perspective, its teachings can still be applied to contemporary scenarios, including business dealings, relationships, and governance.
What the Bible Says About Fraud
The Bible holds strong views on fraudulent practices, considering them a breach of the moral code expected of true believers. In essence, fraudulent behavior is a display of dishonesty, which the Bible emphasizes is not representative of God’s character. The Bible underscores the importance of honesty and integrity in all realms of life, including at work, in the marketplace, in court, among neighbors, and within households. It contends that God values the truth and frowns upon any falsehood. Consequently, fraud, perceived as an act of deceit, is rebuked sternly.
Why Fraud is Condemned in the Bible
The Bible strongly condemns fraud due to its alignment with lying, dishonesty, and distortion of the truth. To live fraudulently is to contravene God’s expectation of maintaining a truthful life. As believers, we are encouraged to uphold honesty in every facet of our lives. When we engage in fraudulent practices, we not only deceive our fellow humans, but also violate God’s commands. The Bible’s firm stance against fraud, therefore, emphasizes God’s high value for the truth and his distaste for deceit and dishonesty.
Who Does the Bible Implore to Avoid Fraud
All believers, irrespective of their station in life, are called to live truthfully, thus shunning any form of embezzlement, swindling, and deception. This call to truthfulness extends beyond the religious spheres to cover all life’s facets, including commerce, politics, relationships, and personal dealings. Believers are implored to live authentically, not just to abide by the law, but more so to honor God with their lives. The Bible reminds us to avoid dishonest profits and to guard ourselves against deceitful behavior. In promoting honesty, the Bible seeks to foster a society defined by trust, reliability, and mutual respect.
Where Does the Bible Discuss Fraud
Fraud, deception, and dishonesty are topics addressed across various books in the Bible – both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. The teachings are couched in different contexts like parables, direct admonitions, and even narration of historical events. The Bible uses these means to convey its stern warning against any form of dishonest practice. Hence, there are many passages in the Bible that caution against dishonesty, urging believers to live by the truth, for it pleases God.
When the Bible’s Teachings on Fraud Are Ignored
Ignoring the Bible’s teachings on fraud has dire consequences. It not only yields internal discord and a strained relationship with God but also leads to societal skeptism and distrust. The Bible underscores that believers practicing fraud will face God’s judgement. It encourages adherents to live righteous lives, not only for the sake and peace of society but also to attain spiritual tranquillity and abide in God’s favor.
Below is our full list of bible verses on fraud (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Fraud
Proverbs 20:17
“17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.”
Related Themes: Deceit Dishonesty Lying Stealing
Luke 16:10-13
“10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Proverbs 13:11
“11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
Proverbs 10:2
“2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.”
Related Themes: Money Stealing Finances Gossip Telling The Truth
John 8:44
“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.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Lust Pride Reaping Lying
Proverbs 11:1
“1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.”
Related Themes: Abomination Business Money Abomination Telling The Truth
Revelation 21:8
“8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Related Themes: Hell Abomination Telling The Truth Frustration Adultery
Psalm 44:21
“21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Omnipresence Secrets Lying
Psalm 37:21
“21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.”
Psalm 36:4
“4 He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.”
Galatians 6:7
“7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
Related Themes: Reaping Reaping What You Sow Reaping Lust Reaping What You Sow
1 Timothy 6:9-10
“9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Related Themes: Lust Money Greed Finances Materialism
Leviticus 19:11
“11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.”
Related Themes: Business Stealing Telling The Truth Lying Gossip
Leviticus 19:31
“31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.”
Related Themes: Fortune Magic Divination Guidance Superstition
Proverbs 12:22
“22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Lying Honesty Gossip Stealing
1 John 1:9
“9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Related Themes: Repentance Forgiveness Bitterness Lust Attitude
Luke 8:17
“17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.”
Related Themes: Lying Telling The Truth Secrets Revealing Secrets
Revelation 22:15
“15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”
Related Themes: Fortune Abomination Morality Morals Lying
Proverbs 26:24
“24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;”
Related Themes: Deceit Hate Lying Flattery Abomination
James 5:4
“4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.”
Mark 4:19
“19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
Proverbs 20:10
“10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.”
Proverbs 15:27
“27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.”
Proverbs 13:13
“13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Money Finances Gluttony
Proverbs 28:20
“20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.”
Related Themes: Money Reaping Finances Faithfulness Greed
Mark 8:36
“36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Proverbs 18:10
“10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
Related Themes: Life Hope Greatness Pride Protection
Leviticus 19:13
“13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.”
Related Themes: Business Money Stealing Trespassing Finances
Matthew 6:24
“24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Ephesians 4:28
“28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
