What Does the Bible Say About Liars and Manipulators?

Let’s be real—nobody likes to be lied to or played like a violin. Whether it’s a friend stretching the truth, a colleague manipulating facts to get ahead, or someone pulling strings to get you to do what they want, it’s a kick in the gut. But have you ever stopped to wonder, what does the Bible say about manipulators and liars? It’s something that weighs heavily on you if you live your life dependently on the Bible for all of life’s big questions. The Bible does have a tremendous amount to say on this sort of thing—no mere two-word “don’t do it” and be done with it. It digresses into the nature of lying and deceitfulness as such problems, what becomes of people living this way, and how we are to treat them. So let’s dive in—what does the Bible have to say about liars and manipulators, and why should we care about it today?

The Bible’s been around for thousands of years, full of stories, commandments, and straight-up guidance on how we should be treating each other. Liars and manipulators crop up all over its pages—from manipulative schemers in the Old Testament to sharp cautionary tales in the New Testament. If you’re curious about what does the Bible say about liars and manipulators, you’re in for a treat. We’re going to walk through key verses, unpack some wild stories, and figure out what it all means for us today. Spoiler: God’s not cool with deceit, but there’s a whole lot more to unpack than just a list of no-nos.

What Does the Bible Say About Liars and Manipulators: The Basics

Where do we start? What does the Bible say about manipulators and liars at their best? One of the most glaring places to check is the Ten Commandments, those big rules God gave to Moses long ago in Exodus 20. Rule number nine reads, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Easy English? Don’t lie about your neighbors. It’s huge because lying tatters trust, and trust is what keeps families, friends, and communities from falling apart. That’s our first indicator at what does the Bible say about manipulators and liars—it’s not just the lie; it’s about the devastation it causes.

Then there’s Proverbs, and it’s filled with pithy, quick wisdom. Proverbs 12:22 states, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” That’s pretty simple, right? God hates liars and he loves truth-tellers. Manipulators aren’t welcome here either—they manipulate people with their words, and God says no to that. What does the Bible say about manipulators and liars? It’s plain as day—they’re on the wrong side, and honesty’s the winning ticket.

Biblical Liars: True Accounts to Learn From

The Bible’s not a rulebook—it’s a storybook with lessons blended in. What does the Bible teach us about manipulators and liars from its characters? Let’s begin with Cain, Adam and Eve’s son in Genesis 4. He’s upset that God likes Abel’s offering more, so he kills Abel. When God asks where Abel is, Cain pretends not to know: “I don’t know.”. Am I my brother’s keeper?” That’s a whopper of a lie, and God’s not stupid—Cain is cursed and sent out. What does the Bible say about manipulators and liars here?

Lying to cover your tracks doesn’t deceive God, and it costs you. Jacob’s next in Genesis 27. He’s scheming to receive his father Isaac’s blessing, which is meant for his brother Esau. Jacob dupes—fakes being Esau, goes so far as to put on goat skins and pretend, in order to fool the blind Isaac. It works; he gets the blessing, but his existence is a wreck. He escapes the wrath of Esau, and his family’s division for decades. What does the Bible say about deceiver/liars in the tale of Jacob? 

You can get the payoff, but the chaos catches up.

And then there’s Jacob’s shady uncle Laban in Genesis 29. Jacob falls for Rachel, but Laban manipulates him into marrying Leah. Wedding night switcheroo—ka-boom, Jacob’s sentenced to work additional years for Rachel. Laban’s deception pays off in the short run, but it breeds resentment. What does the Bible teach about manipulators and deceivers like Laban? Deception might advance you, but it never builds something that endures.

What about Joseph’s brothers in Genesis 37? They’re envious, so they sell him into slavery and lie to their dad, Jacob, informing him that he’s deceased—complete with a bloody coat as “proof.” It’s a lie to protect themselves from guilt, but years later, the truth comes back to bite them. What does the Bible say about liars and manipulators here? Lies mask the truth, but it tunnels its way out eventually.

What Does the Bible Say Regarding Liars and Manipulators: The Dark Side of Manipulation Manipulation’s less obvious than outright lying—it’s manipulating people without them even knowing it. What does the Bible say regarding liars and manipulators who can do that? Take King Ahab and Jezebel in 1 Kings 21. They want Naboth’s vineyard; he won’t sell. Jezebel stages a fraud—false claims, perjured witnesses—and Naboth is killed by stoning. They seize the land, but God sends Elijah with a bad report. Ahab perishes in battle, Jezebel consumed by dogs. What does the Bible teach about liars and manipulators here?

God is aware of the game, and justice does not slumber.

And then there’s Delilah in Judges 16. She’s been hired by the Philistines to kill Samson. She plays him—nags, flirts, whatever it takes—until he spills that his strength is in his hair. She shaves it, he’s captured and blinded. What does the Bible say about manipulators and liars like Delilah? They might win out for a time, but their victory is short-lived.

Absalom, David’s son in 2 Samuel 15, is another. He’s eyeing the throne, so he manipulates Israel—lies about David, charms the masses, steals their hearts. He starts a rebellion, but it doesn’t work out—he’s killed enveloped in a tree. What does the Bible say about liars and manipulators in the story of Absalom? Power usurped by deception topples rapidly.

What Does the Bible Say About Liars and Manipulators: New Testament Warnings

Flip over to the New Testament—what does the Bible say about liars and manipulators in there? Jesus doesn’t mince any words. In John 8:44, he calls the devil “the father of lies,” equating lying with unadulterated evil. Manipulators fit into that group—they’re lying for control, just like Satan. What does the Bible say about liars and manipulators in Jesus’ view? They’re operating against God’s core—truth and love. Paul has a lot to say as well. In Colossians 3:9, he says, “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off your old self with its practices.” He’s telling Christians to let go of lying and deception—it’s the old life; new life is honesty. Ephesians 4:25 takes it a step further: “Therefore each of you must rid yourselves of falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor.” What does the Bible say about manipulators and liars through Paul?

It’s a challenge—rise to the occasion, even when it is difficult.Then Revelation 21:8, the final warning shot: “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” Yikes—liars are not going to have lovely friends. What does the Bible say about manipulators and liars here? It’s the last warning—straighten up, or leave.

Why God Hates Lies and Manipulation

Why is God so concerned about this? What does the Bible say about liars and manipulators according to who He is? It’s His nature—God’s truth itself. Psalm 31:5 calls Him “the God of truth,” and Jesus instructs in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Lies and manipulation are the opposite—they twist what is real and harm people God loves. That’s one enormous reason why what does the Bible say about manipulators and liars is so unequivocal—it’s a affront to God’s nature.

Think about the damage too. A lie can ruin a friendship overnight. Manipulation’s worse—it turns people puppets, stripping them of their worth. Proverbs 26:28 says, “A lying tongue hates those it hurts,” and Proverbs 6:16-19 lists “a lying tongue” and “a heart that devises wicked schemes” as things God abhors. What does the Bible say about manipulators and liars? They’re unwinding the love and trust God’s all about.

What Does the Bible Say About Liars and Manipulators: Consequences

The Bible doesn’t speak—The Bible shows what happens to them. What does the Bible say when the reckoning comes about deceiver liars and manipulators? “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free,” says Proverbs 19:5. The deceiver liars don’t escape. The manipulators take notice according to Galatians 6:7: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Sow deceit, reap strife.

Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 are an insane example. They sell real estate, lie about the price to look holy, and drop dead when called out by Peter. Barbaric. And then Gehazi in 2 Kings 5—Elisha’s servant lies for funds and clothing, and zap, leprosy for eternity. Or Judas in Matthew 27—he takes Jesus’ trust for granted, betrays Him for cash, and ends up hanging himself. What does the Bible teach about liars and manipulators about this? God is not joking—lying is a dead-end road.

Dealing with Liars and Manipulators in Contemporary Times

That’s the Bible’s word—but what happens today? What does the Bible teach about liars and manipulators we’re dealing with every day? Maybe it’s a co-worker fudging figures, an in-law guilt-tripping you, or a phisher targeting your inbox. Ephesians 4:25 commands, “Put off falsehood and speak truthfully”—call it out, don’t get dirty and play back. Jesus’ Matthew 5:44 goes one step further: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Pray for the liar who hurt you? Sucks, but it turns the tables.

Proverbs 17:4 says, “A wicked person listens to deceitful lips”—don’t believe their trash. What does the Bible say about liars and manipulators that we may meet? Keep your chin up, tell the truth, and let God sort them out.

What Does the Bible Say About Liars and Manipulators: Forgiveness and Change

Here’s the good stuff—what does the Bible say about manipulators and liars who must turn the script around? God cares about redemption. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.” Lied? Manipulated? Own up, and God’s on your side. Jacob’s a poster child—scammer to patriarch after wrestling God. Paul as well—from attacking Christians to teaching truth.

Forgiveness is critical to us. Colossians 3:13 teaches us, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” They deceived us? Let it go—it’s a chore, but it’s freedom. Psalm 32:5 goes on, “I acknowledged my sin to you… and you forgave.” What does God have to say about manipulators and deceptions that cause us harm? Forgive, and let God heal.

Practical Steps from the Bible

How do we live this out? What does the Bible practically teach us about liars and manipulators? James 1:19 reminds us, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger”—don’t snap at the liar; listen to him. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us, “A gentle answer turns away wrath”—softer words will prevail over yelling fits. Psalm 34:13 reminds us, “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies”—watch yourself first.

Identify manipulators by their actions—Matthew 7:16 says, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” Are they pushy, shady, bossy? Back off. Proverbs 22:3 says, “The prudent see danger and take refuge”—don’t get drawn in. What does the Bible say about liars and manipulators in action? Stay smart, stay honest, lean on God.

The Bigger Picture: Lies and Manipulation in History

Zoom out—what does the Bible say about manipulators and liars in broad strokes? Take the Pharisees of Jesus’ day (Matthew 23)—they manipulatively observed rules to pretend to be holy, lied in their hearts about who they are, and Jesus refers to them as “whitewashed tombs.” Their deception caused people to distance themselves from God. Or head back to Genesis 11—people lie concerning their power, build a tower to defy God, and they are scattered. What does the Bible say about liars and manipulators throughout history? They hijack God’s plans, but He reloads the board.

Wrapping It Up

So what does the Bible say about liars and manipulators? It’s obvious—they’re trouble in God’s book. From Cain to Judas, Jezebel to the Pharisees, lying and manipulating get in the way of God’s truth and love. There’s damage—sometimes immediate, sometimes over time—but there’s hope too, through confession and forgiveness. What does the Bible say about liars and manipulators today? It’s a playbook—spot them, handle them with grace, and live better ourselves. Next time you’re tempted to fib or twist things, pause—the Bible’s got wisdom that’s still gold.