Read these Bible verses about fake friends, spotting deceitful relationships, gaining wisdom for emotional safeguarding, and healing from friendship betrayal.
Chances are, you’ve probably had an experience in your life that led you to realize a friend of yours wasn’t really your friend. Whether they betrayed you somehow, talked poorly about you behind your back, or just lied to you about something significant, there aren’t many things that hurt as much as fake friends.
It is so important to not only recognize fake friends but also to take action to safeguard ourselves from deceitful relationships, so take a look at these 15 Bible verses about fake friends and listen to what God has to say to you on building genuine friendships today.
Bible Verses About Fake Friends
Bible Verses About Deception in Relationships
1. Proverbs 6:16-19 – The Lord Hates a Lying Tongue
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
– Proverbs 6:16-19
A lying tongue is one of the seven things that are detestable to the Lord. This is because the Lord greatly values truth and, according to God’s Word, the truth is what sets us free. Therefore, you should be careful of fake friends who lie and deceive you, practicing what the Lord hates. This is one of the biggest characteristics of a bad friend that you should look out for.
2. Proverbs 12:22 – God Delights in Trustworthy People
“The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”
– Proverbs 12:22
The Lord delights in people who are trustworthy and so should you. Surround yourself with people who you can actually trust, not people who may betray you or let you down at every turn. Of course, even your trustworthy best friend with good morals may let you down at some point, but find those who will pursue trustworthiness genuinely.
3. Ephesians 4:25 – Put Off Falsehood and Speak the Truth
“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
As people of Christ, we should put off falsehood and any deceitfulness. Those who truly follow Jesus are people of truth, not lies. Especially within the church, be wary of friends who lie and deceive others, because that is not something that is of God. Be a real friend and have a greater love and respect for truth than deceit.
4. Colossians 3:9-10 – Do Not Lie to Each Other
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self
with its practices and have put on the new self,
which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
– Colossians 3:9-10
If you call yourself a follower of Jesus, do not lie to others. That is something that has been put off with the old self. Instead, seek to tell the truth in every relationship as far as it depends on you. True relationships can only be built on trust and truth, not lies and deceit, and a true friend loves truth more than lies.
5. Proverbs 19:5 – False Witnesses Will Not Go Unpunished
“A false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever pours out lies will not go free.”
– Proverbs 19:5
God’s Word shows its seriousness towards false witnesses. They will not go unpunished and those who lie will not go free. God promises us this in His Word and we can trust that it is true. We do not need to despair at those who lie and who are bad influences. Instead, we just need to safeguard ourselves against that deceit and allow God to do the rest as we search for loyal friends.
Bible Verses About Fake Friends
6. Proverbs 19:6 – Everyone Loves Those Who Give
“Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.”
– Proverbs 19:6
Be careful of those who are friendly with you only for what they can get out of the relationship. This Proverb teaches an important lesson; that many people foster relationships just for what they can gain. Be aware of who is by you during hard times when you have nothing to give, because those are where your true friendships lie. After all, bad company corrupts good character.
7. Proverbs 20:19 – Gossip Betrays Someone’s Confidence
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
– Proverbs 20:19
Gossip is a destroyer of relationships. I’m sure all of us can think of someone that we know that maybe talks a little bit too much or gives themselves over to the act of gossiping. Be wary of such people and keep your confidence from being betrayed by fake friends who gossip about you.
8. Psalm 41:9 – Fake Friends Turn Against You
“Even my close friend, someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread, has turned against me.”
– Psalm 41:9
Even if you may trust someone, it doesn’t mean that they are truly your friend. Fake friends can turn against you and bring you to ruin. Be careful of who you allow into your life as they may betray you.
9. Proverbs 14:20-21 – The Rich Have Many (Fake) Friends
“The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.”
– Proverbs 14:20-21
The rich tend to have many fake friends who are only beside the rich to get what they want out of them. If you are a wealthy person or a generous person in general, be careful of fake friends who may be using you to get what they want out of the relationship.
10. Proverbs 27:6 – Fake Love Multiplies Pain
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
– Proverbs 27:6
The wounds of a friend can be trusted because they may have given us an open rebuke that we needed to hear or they may have done something for our own ultimate good in the long run. However, fake friends often seek to hurt us even more because they aren’t looking out for our good in the first place. Be careful of such people and guard yourself from fake friendships.
Healing Bible Verses on Recovering from Friendship Betrayal
11. Proverbs 17:9 – Love Covers Offenses
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
– Proverbs 17:9
Love between true friends can wipe away an offense. However, fake friends will often repeat the same offense over and over, fracturing and eventually breaking the friendship. Instead, find a sincere friend, one who is honest and forgiving.
12. Psalm 55:12-14 – Friends Can Hurt the Most
“If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it;
if a foe were rising against me, I could hide.
But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God,
as we walked about among the worshipers.” – Psalm 55:12-14
The pain that can come from being betrayed by a fake friend can be some of the most brutal and unimaginable pain possible. This is why it is so important to be sure that those around you are truly your friends; to avoid such pain and to surround yourself with those who actually care about you and uphold the qualities of a true friend.
13. Proverbs 18:24 – Unreliable or Fake Friends Bring Ruin
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
– Proverbs 18:24
Fake friends are often also unreliable friends. If you want to do a check as to which of your friends are genuine, keep an eye out for who is reliable versus who is there only when it suits them best.
14. Romans 12:17-19 – Revenge Is The Lord’s
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath,
for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
– Romans 12:17-19
Remember, even if you are hurt and wounded by fake friends, revenge is ultimately the Lord’s. Be careful trying to take your own revenge. You will only cause more trouble in the process. Instead, let God take care of making things right. Trust that the way of the wicked leads to God’s vengeance.
15. Matthew 5:44-45 – Pray For Your Enemies
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
– Matthew 5:44-45
Even though it may be hard, praying for those who have hurt you can be one of the best ways to absolve yourself from any hurt that may have been caused. Follow Jesus’ instruction to truly love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, even if they are fake friends.
Benjamin Franklin Quotes About Friendship
“Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.”
“A true friend is the best possession.”
“If you would be loved, love and be loveable.”
More Bible Verses Worth Exploring:
22 Bible Verses on Loving Your Enemies
26 Bible Verses about Forgiveness and Reconciliation
37 Bible Verses About Tears and Crying
43 Uplifting Bible Verses about Moving On from Hurt
