Apicontent

Are you struggling with some type of dissatisfaction, such as envy, complaining, or greed? We have outlined a five-step process to help you change and heal in this area of your life. Take all the time you need with each of the steps in this article.

Step 1: Adopt a Correct View of God

Flaws in your view of God can easily produce dissatisfaction in your life. For example, you may have made the mistake of looking to God as your own personal genie who should grant your every wish. On the other hand, you may see Him as some miserly old hermit who would not give a bone to a dog. Either viewpoint would greatly affect your ability to be content and satisfied.

God is sovereign, and He is in control of your life.

With my great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things of Mine to anyone I choose. (Jeremiah 27:5)

God is faithful. He will always do what is best for us.

So the LORD must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help. (Isaiah 30:18)

Through searching the Scriptures, learn more about God as Sovereign Lord. As you do so, consider how flaws in your view of God might be at the root of your problem of dissatisfaction. Ask God to help you understand Him as He really is.

Step 2: Revise Your False Beliefs

The belief that we deserve everything we want and more does not line up with God’s Holy Word. The belief that happiness comes with possessions or position is in direct opposition to God’s truth. Such examples of false beliefs about people and life can fuel dissatisfaction. Ask yourself the following questions:

Do you believe you would be happy if you had more money?

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Do you believe you would be happy if you looked different?

Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:3–4)

Do you believe you would be happy if you had a better job?

Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. (1 Corinthians 7:17)

These questions reveal false beliefs that breed discontentment. Other such false beliefs are possible. Spend time searching the Word for its perspective on contentment. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where your thinking has fallen off track and then accept the truth.

Step 3: Repent of Your Sin

Are you ready to turn away from dissatisfaction? Begin by specifically identifying the way you tend to be dissatisfied (envy, ingratitude, or whatever). Next, pray a prayer of confession to God. If you wish, you may use the one below, inserting the name of your sin of dissatisfaction in the blank.

God, I know that everything I have is a gift from You. Yet I have been dissatisfied through __________. I realize that my discontentment is born from a selfish and sinful heart, and I am truly sorry for my attitude. Please forgive me and wash all the discontentment out of my heart. Make me able to put __________ behind me for good and learn to be content. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

If you have harmed others with your sin, apologize to them. Seek reconciliation and offer restitution where appropriate.

Step 4: Defend against Spiritual Attacks

Remember, you must always be on your guard against attack from the three enemies of your soul: the world, the flesh, and the Devil. They will conspire to draw you back to your old habits of dissatisfaction.

• The world’s value system perpetuates dissatisfaction as it preaches, “Always want more and better.” Expose yourself to God’s truth to the point that you have fully understood that a life of contentment is the best way to live.
• Your flesh, or sinful nature, will continue to crave its old objects of desire, whether it is more money, possessions, or people. Tell yourself every day, “My flesh is dead. I live by the Spirit now.” Rely on the Holy Spirit for help in every temptation.
• Satan uses our neighbor’s standard of living to breed discontent in our hearts. Put on “salvation as your helmet” (Ephesians 6:17) for protection from poisonous thoughts of envy.

Keep on the lookout for any temptation that would draw you back into your old ways of dissatisfaction. Seek God’s strength to defend against spiritual attacks. His strength is sufficient.

Step 5: Flee Temptation

We are told in James 1:14 that the source of temptation lies in “our own desires.” The desire for more, or for something different and new, is a catalyst for dissatisfaction. This desire must be kept under control over the long term by taking certain precautions.

Focus on your relationship with God.

Do not be satisfied with a brief quiet time in the morning and a trip to church once a week. Develop a devotional life that spreads into your whole existence. As you keep your thoughts on God and His kingdom, instead of the things of this world, you will be less susceptible to temptations of dissatisfaction.

Latch on to God’s promises.

Find verses in the Bible that are meaningful to you in your battle against dissatisfaction. Memorize these verses and recall them whenever temptation strikes. Here are two verses for your consideration:

If God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. (Matthew 6:30)

The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. (Psalm 84:11)

Establish safeguards.

Make changes in your life that will keep you away from the most common temptations that have produced dissatisfaction for you. Be creative, and come up with as many changes as will help you. Then, don’t forget to implement them!

Consider these examples to spark your own ideas:

• If you find yourself envying something another person possesses, immediately thank God for one blessing He has given you.
• If you tend to be greedy, volunteer at a homeless shelter or some other ministry to the poor that will help you see how comfortable you really are.
• Ask a trusted Christian friend to hold you accountable in your commitment to not be so dissatisfied.

Expect victory.

Remember that success in defeating the habitual sin of dissatisfaction can be found in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. He is always working in you to make you more like Jesus, which includes being content. Yield to Him daily in anticipation of deliverance from the crippling habit of dissatisfaction.

Ryan was a star athlete and the top student in his high school class. When he received his diploma, he was disappointed. He had thought there would be more satisfaction than he experienced. He entered Harvard College and received recognition and satisfaction from playing on the varsity football team. In the classroom, he was a top student. But when he received his diploma, he was disappointed not to experience satisfaction from this accomplishment. So he looked eagerly to law school at Yale, completing that program with top honors.

Once again, receiving his diploma left him with a vague feeling of emptiness and the thought that there must be more to life than this. When he received an invitation to join the prestigious law firm of his choice, his career was off to a good start. Then he and his wife designed and built their dream house. They looked forward to the day they would take possession; when that day came, there was no joy. There was an emptiness that career and marriage could not fill. “When that day came,” he said, “we realized there had to be more to life than this.”

Then Ryan met a businessman with a serenity about him that caught Ryan’s attention. In a conversation over lunch one day, Ryan asked the business many why he seemed so content with life. The businessman told Ryan that it was only through Jesus Christ that his life had meaning and purpose.

That day Ryan found the flaw in depending on activities and events; they eventually come to an end and leave you empty. Ryan found contentment when he found a relationship with Jesus. That relationship guided him into a new appreciation for life and all it has to offer. God will meet you when you seek Him!

[Dr. Henry Brandt shares insights from various people he counseled. The names and certain details in these true case histories have been changed to protect each person’s identity and privacy.]

Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! (Proverbs 21:26, NLT2)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages. (Luke 3:14, NASB95)

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. (Philippians 4:11, NLT2)

Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1 Timothy 6:6-7, KJV)

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV)

Envy

Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. (Job 5:2, NIV)

Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways. (Proverbs 3:31, NASB95)

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs 14:30, NIV)

Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD. (Proverbs 23:17, NLT2)

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? (Proverbs 27:4, KJV)

Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. (Psalm 37:1, NLT2)

Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. (Proverbs 24:1, NLT2)

Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked. (Proverbs 24:19, NASB95)

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? (1 Corinthians 3:3, NIV)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV)

Envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21, NLT2)

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:26, NKJV)

Coveting

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Exodus 20:17, NASB95)

Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! (Psalm 119:36, NLT2)

All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. (Proverbs 21:26, NIV)

Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness. (Jeremiah 22:17, NKJV)

When you want a piece of land, you find a way to seize it. When you want someone’s house, you take it by fraud and violence. You cheat a man of his property, stealing his family’s inheritance. (Micah 2:2, NLT2)

What sorrow awaits you who build big houses with money gained dishonestly! You believe your wealth will buy security, putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger. (Habakkuk 2:9, NLT2)

Do not covet. (Romans 13:9, NIV)

People will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. (2 Timothy 3:2, NASB95)

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV)

Complaining

Do not grumble. (1 Corinthians 10:10, NIV)

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14-15, NASB95)

Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. (James 5:9, NASB95)

These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. (Jude 1:16, NLT2)

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9, NIV)

Stop grumbling among yourselves. (John 6:43, NIV)

Ingratitude

The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget the LORD, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 6:11-12, NLT2)

Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18, NLT2)

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. (Romans 1:21, NLT2)

People will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. (2 Timothy 3:2, NLT2)

But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God. (Psalm 50:23, NLT2)

Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:17, NLT2)

Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:15, NLT2)

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. (Hebrews 12:28, NLT2)

Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:20, NKJV)

Theft

A thief must certainly make restitution. (Exodus 22:3, NIV)

You shall not steal. (Deuteronomy 5:19, NASB95)

I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and wrong doing. (Isaiah 61:8, NLT2)

Do not steal. (Matthew 19:18, NIV)

For from within, out of men’s hearts, come … theft. (Mark 7:21, NIV)

You know the commandments: Do not steal. (Luke 18:20, NKJV)

You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?(Romans 2:21, NASB95)

Thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10, NIV)

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. (Ephesians 4:28, NLT2)

You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15, NKJV)

Greed

Greed brings grief to the whole family. (Proverbs 15:27, NLT2)

Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! (Psalm 119:36, NLT2)

Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life. (Proverbs 1:19, NLT2)

A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. (Proverbs 22:16, NLT2)

Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. (Proverbs 23:4-5, NLT2)

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. (Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV)

From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain. (Jeremiah 6:13, NIV)

My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. (Ezekiel 33:31, NIV)

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. (Ephesians 5:3, NLT2)

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. (Romans 1:29, NIV)

But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy. (1 Corinthians 5:11, NIV)

Thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10, NIV)

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve. (1 Peter 5:2, NIV)

For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.(Mark 7:21-23, NLT2)

Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own. (Luke 12:15, NLT2)

You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. (Ephesians 5:5, NLT2)

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. (Colossians 3:2-6, NLT2)

Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

Contentment

True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. (1 Timothy 6:6, NLT2)

Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

A heart at peace gives life to the body. (Proverbs 14:30, NIV)

Those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (Psalm 34:10, NIV)

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13, NIV)

God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. (2 Corinthians 9:8, NLT2)

For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. (Psalm 84:11, NLT2)

Where is your biggest problem with deception? Do you tell falsehoods when it serves your purpose? Do you pretend to be what you are not? Do you tell people what they want to hear about themselves, even when it is not true? Do you cheat to gain an advantage in a contest? Do you trick others for profit?

It can be very tempting to shade the truth or present oneself in a false light for selfish reasons. Nevertheless, each of us must give up deception and learn the ways of honesty and integrity.

When we lie, we are not motivated by God but rather by His enemy. The Devil is the sponsor of untruth. Jesus testified that Satan “has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

The truth wants to be free. It has a way of escaping into daylight despite every attempt to keep it trapped under a lid—ask any politician who has tried to prevent a scandal from reaching public notice. Benjamin Franklin said, “A lie stands on one leg, truth on two.”  In the plain words of Scripture, “Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed” (Proverbs 12:19). Just as God knows every time we counterfeit the truth, so other people usually find out as well.

We deceive because we are worried about what will happen to us if we choose to tell the truth. What we find, though, is that when we practice deceit we disappoint God, chip away at our own self-respect, and run the risk of a worse reaction from others when they find out the truth later. The proper response is to trust God to care for us as we honor His command to be truth-tellers. There is, in fact, no peace to be had without truth.

A. W. Tozer said, “A guileless mind is a great treasure; it is worth any price.” Are you willing to pay the price? It means forgoing the easy payoffs that deceit can seem to bring, choosing instead the slow and steady dividends of making your word your bond.

Give up the too-easy and too-costly habit of deceit. Embrace instead the policy of honesty at all times.

[The above article is an extract from Chapter 15 of Soul Prescription by Bill Bright and Henry Brandt.]

Are you struggling with being deceitful in some way? We have outlined a five-step process to help you change and heal in this area of your life. Take all the time you need with each of the steps below.

Step 1:  Adopt a Correct View of God

God is truth. To view Him in any other way will only serve to justify your deceitful behavior.

God is absolute truth. He cannot lie and He does not change His standards.

God is not a man, so He does not lie. (Numbers 23:19)

God is righteous, and He abhors dishonesty in every form.

Because what you say is false and your visions are a lie, I will stand against you, says the Sovereign LORD. (Ezekiel 13:8)

What is your view of God with respect to honesty and dishonesty? Go to Scripture and review every passage that talks about God’s truthfulness. Don’t fool yourself. God will not tolerate lies and deceitfulness.

Step 2:  Revise Your False Beliefs

If you believe that your deceitfulness is justified or excusable for any reason, you are wrong. Perhaps mistaken views of yourself, other people, or how life works are making it harder for you to be truthful.

Do you believe your “little white lies” do no harm?

Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. (Proverbs 25:18)

Do you believe others are yours to “use”?

Do to others as you would like them to do to you. (Luke 6:31)

Do you believe the end justifies the means and thus makes your deceitfulness okay?

Stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. (Ephesians 4:25)

Use scriptural truth about deceitfulness and honesty to expose errors in your thinking. Ask the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of truth, to help you first understand the truth and then speak the truth to others.

Step 3:  Repent of Your Sin

In what way are you deceitful? Identify it specifically. Then if you are prepared to give up this sin, pray a prayer of confession. A model prayer is presented below for your use, or you can pray in your own words.

God of truth, I have been deceitful by _________. This was a sin against You, and I am sorry for it. Please forgive me. Make me clean again, and fill me with Your power to help me remain clean of deceitfulness from this point on. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen.

If you have harmed others with your sin, apologize to them. Seek reconciliation and offer restitution where appropriate.

Step 4:  Defend against Spiritual Attacks

Your spiritual enemies—the world, the flesh, and the Devil—would like nothing better than to see you backslide into a pattern of deceitfulness. Beware of their wiles!

• The world system does not value honesty the way God does. The world’s values would tell us to use deceitfulness if it will help us get ahead. We can overcome such an influence by immersing ourselves in God’s value system. Develop the importance He places on honesty.
• Your flesh, or sinful nature, will tempt you to enjoy that self-reliant feeling that comes with trying to manipulate events through deceit. Do not give in to the craving! Your flesh is dead. You are a spiritual being now, living according to the Holy Spirit.
• Satan will make it as easy and as appealing for you to deceive others as possible. Put on the “belt of truth” (Ephesians 6:14) to help you discern true from false and remain committed to truth-telling.

Be ever vigilant in defense against your spiritual foes. The attacks will not cease. Accessing the great power of God will empower you to be successful in every battle.

Step 5:  Flee Temptation

You will never be able to completely avoid the temptation to return to your old deceitful ways. But there are specific steps you can take to reduce your exposure and susceptibility to temptation.

Focus on your relationship with God.

Spend time regularly cultivating your relationship with God. In particular, make Bible study a consistent discipline in your life. Constant exposure to the truth will make you a more truthful person.

Latch on to God’s promises.

Identify assurances in Scripture that make you more confident of winning over your sin of deceitfulness. Store assurances away in your mind as ammunition when the battle with temptation comes.

God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. (Hebrews 6:18)

Establish safeguards.

Why not make holiness as easy for yourself as possible? Think of ways you can cut off common temptations. Here are examples of the kinds of changes you can make for the better:

• If you cheat on your taxes, hire a tax preparer next year and make all your records available to this person.
• If you defraud your employer by falsifying your timesheet, ask a friend on your work team to verify its accuracy each week.
• If you naturally resort to flattery, practice ahead of time what you can say in favor of a person without lying.
• Ask a trusted Christian friend to hold you accountable in your commitment to not deceive others.

Expect victory.

You are a new person in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit lives in you. He wants to create an honest heart in you. Seek His help as you eliminate deceit and adopt honesty in your life. As long as you are cooperating with Him, you cannot lose! Praise God!

Dr. Brandt relates the following story:

One Sunday morning I arrived early at the church where I was to speak. There was only one person in the auditorium. She was in front of the platform, arranging flowers in a basket. Perhaps a dozen varieties of flowers were masterfully arranged so that each flower was displayed at its best, colorful and delicate. The arrangement couldn’t have been more beautiful.

I approached the platform and said to the lady, “You sure have done a beautiful job arranging those flowers.”

She turned around. I saw an angry-looking woman who growled, “I do it every Sunday. I am stuck with this job. No one else will do it. I’m sick and tired of getting up early enough to be the first one here.” She wasn’t really talking to me. She was venting an angry, rebellious spirit. She sputtered on to remark that no one appreciated her work.

“Who are you?” she asked, suddenly realizing that she was talking to a stranger.

“I’m the visiting speaker,” I replied.

“Oh,” she gasped. “Oh … welcome to our church.”

It was an awkward, embarrassing moment for both of us. The mood of the moment didn’t fit with the beauty of the flowers and the fragrance in the air.

Later, from the platform, I noticed the same lady. She seemed radiant and cheerful; a note in the bulletin gave her credit for the flowers. Even though she was deceptively charming, she was still suffering from the consequences of sin and didn’t know it.

If she were to acknowledge her sin of deception and anger and rebellion, she would be able to repent and ask God to clean up her heart. She would be able to rejoice and enjoy the privilege of meeting with the Lord alone on Sunday mornings as she worships in His presence by working with the beautiful, fragrant flowers that He has created.

What a pity to let sin steal away such a privilege when cleansing of the heart is just a prayer away and a life of freedom is there waiting.

[Dr. Henry Brandt shares insights from various people he counseled. The names and certain details in these true case histories have been changed to protect each person’s identity and privacy.]

Deceit

Deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man. (Mark 7:22-23, NASB95)

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9, NIV)

You will destroy those who tell lies. The LORD detests murderers and deceivers. (Psalm 5:6, NLT2)

Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause; don’t lie about them. (Proverbs 24:28, NLT2)

If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. (1 Peter 3:10, NLT2)

I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence. (Psalm 101:7, NLT2)

Save me, O LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. (Psalm 120:2, NIV)

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. (Ephesians 5:6-7, NIV)

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. (1 Peter 2:1, NLT2)

The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. (Proverbs 12:5, NIV)

Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. (Psalm 36:3, NLT2)

You have been deceived by your own pride. (Obadiah 1:3, NLT2)

We will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. (Ephesians 4:14, NIV)

“You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:6, NIV)

A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. (Proverbs 14:25, NIV)

People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you. They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils. While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public. (Proverbs 26:24-26, NLT2)

The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, but the foolishness of fools is deceit. (Proverbs 14:8, NASB95)

Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. (Psalm 32:2, NIV)

Bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. (Psalm 55:23, NIV)

Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks with deceit. With his mouth each speaks cordially to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.(Jeremiah 9:8, NIV)

Lying

I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law. (Psalm 119:163, NKJV)

Do not lie. (Leviticus 19:11, NIV)

My lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit. (Job 27:4, NIV)

You destroy those who tell lies. (Psalm 5:6, NIV)

Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit. (Psalm 5:9, NIV)

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. (Psalm 34:13, NIV)

All day long you plot destruction. Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you’re an expert at telling lies. You love evil more than good and lies more than truth. (Psalm 52:2-3, NLT2)

These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way. (Psalm 58:3, NLT2)

They take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. (Psalm 62:4, NIV)

Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. (Psalm 119:29, NLT2)

Rescue me, O LORD, from liars and from all deceitful people. (Psalm 120:2, NLT2)

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue …. (Proverbs 6:16-17, NIV)

Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. (Colossians 3:9-10, NLT2)

Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. (Proverbs 10:18-19, NLT2)

With their words, the godless destroy their friends. (Proverbs 11:9, NLT2)

A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. (Proverbs 12:17, NIV)

The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. (Proverbs 12:22, NLT2)

A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.(Proverbs 14:5, KJV)

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. (Ephesians 4:25, NLT2)

The Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. (1 Timothy 4:1-2, NLT2)

An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. (Proverbs 17:4, NASB95)

A liar will be destroyed. (Proverbs 19:9, NLT2)

It is better to be a poor man than a liar. (Proverbs 19:22, NASB95)

If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. (1 Peter 3:10, NLT2)

Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. (Proverbs 21:6, NKJV)

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape. (Proverbs 19:5, NKJV)

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who tells lies will not escape. (Psalm 101:7, NASB95)

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16, NIV)

Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. (Proverbs 25:18, NLT2)

Fraud

Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not make your hired workers wait until the next day to receive their pay. (Leviticus 19:13, NLT2)

Suppose one of you sins against your associate and is unfaithful to the LORD. Suppose you cheat in a deal involving a security deposit, or you steal or commit fraud, or you find lost property and lie about it, or you lie while swearing to tell the truth, or you commit any other such sin.  If you have sinned in any of these ways, you are guilty. You must give back whatever you stole, or the money you took by extortion, or the security deposit, or the lost property you found, or anything obtained by swearing falsely. You must make restitution by paying the full price plus an additional 20 percent to the person you have harmed. On the same day you must present a guilt offering. (Leviticus 6:2-5, NLT2)

The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives. (Psalm 37:21, NASB95)

Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life. (Psalm 62:10, NLT2)

Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth. (Proverbs 20:17, NLT2)

Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness and his upper rooms without justice, who uses his neighbor’s services without pay and does not give him his wages. (Jeremiah 22:13, NASB95)

No one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. (1 Thessalonians 4:6, NIV)

Hypocrisy

For fools speak foolishness and make evil plans. They practice ungodliness. (Isaiah 32:6, NLT2)

On the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (Matthew 23:28, NIV)

With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape. (Proverbs 11:9, NIV)

We are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. (1 John 1:6, NLT2)

Get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. (1 Peter 2:1, NLT2)

Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8, NIV)

The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. (James 3:17, NLT2)

The Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. (1 Timothy 4:1-2, NLT2)

What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy––full of greed and self–indulgence! (Matthew 23:25, NLT2)

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. (Matthew 15:8-9, NIV)

Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. (Matthew 7:5, NLT2)

When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. (Matthew 6:5, NLT2)

When you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. (Matthew 6:2, NASB95)

Flattery

Their flattering lips speak with deception. (Psalm 12:2, NIV)

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue. (Psalm 12:3, NIV)

For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. (Psalm 36:2, NIV)

They deceived Him with their mouth and lied to Him with their tongue. (Psalm 78:36, NASB95)

Flattering words cause ruin. (Proverbs 26:28, NLT2)

I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone. For if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon destroy me. (Job 32:21-22, NLT2)

In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery. (Proverbs 28:23, NLT2)

These men are grumblers and fault-finders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. (Jude 1:16, NIV)

A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. (Proverbs 20:19, NIV)

Cheating

The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. (James 5:4, NIV)

All who cheat with dishonest weights and measures are detestable to the LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 25:16, NLT2)

You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. (Leviticus 19:13, NKJV)

Cursed is the cheat. (Malachi 1:14, NIV)

The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. (1 Corinthians 6:7-9, NIV)

Honesty

Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. (Proverbs 16:8, NASB95)

He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil—this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. (Isaiah 33:15-16, NIV)

Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. (Colossians 3:9-10, NLT2)

You shall not bear a false report. (Exodus 23:1, NASB95)

Truthful words stand the test of time. (Proverbs 12:19, NLT2)

He who speaks truth tells what is right. (Proverbs 12:17, NASB95)

An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship. (Proverbs 24:26, NLT2)

Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. (1 Timothy 2:2, NLT2)

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. (Ephesians 4:25, NLT2)

Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. (Proverbs 12:19, NLT2)

As long as I live, while I have breath from God, my lips will speak no evil, and my tongue will speak no lies. (Job 27:3-4, NLT2)

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth. (Ephesians 6:14, NLT2)