40+Bible Verses on Manipulative People / Data Guide 2024

“Guidance from the Bible can help us navigate the complexities of dealing with manipulative people.”

Dealing with manipulative people can be one of life’s most challenging experiences. These individuals often use deception, charm, or coercion to influence and control others for their own gain. Fortunately, the Bible offers profound insights into recognizing and handling such people. This article explores 45 Bible verses that shed light on the nature of manipulation and provides practical advice on how to deal with deceptive individuals. By understanding these scriptures, you can strengthen your ability to navigate tricky relationships and maintain your integrity.

Recognizing Manipulative People

1. Proverbs 12:20

“Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.”
Example: Imagine a colleague who seems overly friendly and supportive while subtly undermining your projects behind your back. This deceitful behavior aligns with the warning in this verse.

2. Proverbs 26:24

“Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.”
Example: A business partner who praises your ideas while secretly planning to take credit for them is displaying deceitful behavior as described in this verse.

3. Matthew 7:15

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Example: A person who presents themselves as a mentor but ultimately tries to exploit you for personal gain is akin to a false prophet.

4. Psalm 55:21

“His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.”
Example: A friend who uses flattering language to gain your trust but manipulates you emotionally is reflecting the smooth but dangerous speech mentioned in this verse.

5. Proverbs 21:6

“A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.”
Example: An individual who deceives others to gain financial benefits, only to face eventual loss or exposure, exemplifies the fleeting nature of deceitful gains.

6. Proverbs 10:10

“He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.”
Example: If a coworker winks or makes ambiguous comments that seem harmless but are intended to manipulate a situation, they are acting deceitfully.

7. Isaiah 32:7

“The scoundrel’s methods are wicked; he makes up evil schemes to destroy the  low-income. with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.”
Example: A charity worker who falsely claims to help those in need while pocketing donations for personal gain shows the wicked methods described in this verse.

8. Micah 2:1

“Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.”
Example: Someone who spends time scheming ways to sabotage your success at work, only to act on those plans later, reflects the plotting described here.

9. 2 Corinthians 11:13

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.”
Example: A church leader who appears devout but manipulates congregants for personal gain represents the deceitful workmen mentioned in this verse.

10. Proverbs 6:24

“Keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.”
Example: A person who uses charming talk to seduce or manipulate someone in a committed relationship is engaging in the deceptive behavior warned against here.

11. Proverbs 22:5

“In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.”
Example: Avoiding a business partner who frequently makes dubious deals and uses manipulative tactics helps you stay clear of the snares described in this verse.

12. Proverbs 15:4

“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
Example: If a person uses sweet words to disguise harsh intentions or undermine your confidence, they are exhibiting the perverse tongue mentioned here.

13. James 3:16

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
Example: A team member who stirs up conflict to advance their own agenda illustrates the disorder and evil practices that stem from selfish ambition.

14. 1 John 4:1

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Example: A new acquaintance who seems overly eager to offer you advice or assistance might need to be evaluated carefully to ensure their intentions are genuine.

15. Proverbs 11:9

“With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.”
Example: A person who spreads harmful rumors about you to damage your reputation is displaying the destructive behavior warned against in this verse.

16. Jeremiah 9:4

“Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer.”
Example: If a family member who outwardly seems supportive is actually spreading false information about you, they embody the deceitful behavior described here.

Bible Verses on Bad Parents 

17. Luke 20:20

“Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.”
Example: Individuals who feign friendship while looking for weaknesses to exploit are similar to the spies described in this verse.

18. Proverbs 23:7

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.”
Example: A colleague who invites you to social events but secretly undermines your work shows the discrepancy between their outward behavior and true intentions.

19. Ezekiel 22:9

“In you are slanderers who are bent on shedding blood; in you are those who eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd acts.”
Example: A person who pretends to be trustworthy but engages in harmful behavior behind the scenes reflects the deceitful and destructive actions warned against in this verse.

20. Matthew 26:14-16

“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”
Example: Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus for money is an example of manipulation for personal gain, similar to how some individuals might exploit relationships for their own benefit.

21. Proverbs 20:19

“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
Example: If someone frequently shares confidential information about others, they are likely betraying confidences and can be avoided to protect your own privacy.

22. 2 Peter 2:1

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.”
Example: A charismatic leader who introduces harmful doctrines or misleading teachings under the guise of spirituality is an example of the false teachers mentioned here.

23. Proverbs 14:25

“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.”
Example: A person who distorts the truth in legal or personal matters to harm others is displaying the deceitfulness warned against in this verse.

24. 1 Timothy 4:1

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
Example: An individual who leads others away from genuine faith with misleading spiritual teachings reflects the deceptive influence described here.

25. Psalm 10:7

“His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.”
Example: A person who constantly makes threatening or deceitful statements while hiding their true intentions illustrates the behavior described in this verse.

26. Proverbs 24:1

“Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company.”
Example: Avoiding the company of those who use deceitful methods to succeed, such as unethical business practices, aligns with this verse’s advice.

27. 2 Timothy 3:13

“While evil doers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Example: A person whose behavior worsens over time as they deceive others and become more corrupt exemplifies the trend described here.

28. Proverbs 25:14

“Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.”
Example: Someone who promises support or gifts but never delivers on those promises is like the person described in this verse.

29. James 1:26

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
Example: A person who professes religious beliefs but speaks deceitfully or harms others with their words reflects the hypocrisy mentioned here.

30. Proverbs 7:21

“With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.”
Example: A person who uses smooth talk to manipulate someone into compromising situations shows the deceptive persuasion warned against here.

31. Matthew 24:11

“And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”
Example: Individuals who spread misleading information or false promises, leading many astray, are similar to the false prophets described here.

32. Proverbs 29:5

“Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.”
Example: A person who excessively flatters you to gain favor or manipulate your actions is setting a trap as described in this verse.

33. Jeremiah 14:14

“Then the LORD said to me, ‘The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.’”
Example: A spiritual leader who claims divine authority while promoting false teachings demonstrates the deceptive behavior described here.

34. Proverbs 12:5

“The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.”
Example: A person who gives advice that seems beneficial but is actually intended to deceive and harm represents the deceitful counsel described here.

35. Proverbs 15:28

“The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”
Example: A person who speaks without considering the impact of their words and uses their speech to deceive or harm others is exhibiting the behavior described in this verse.

36. Proverbs 28:23

“Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.”
Example: A colleague who gives honest, constructive feedback rather than using flattery to manipulate you shows the value of genuine correction over deceitful praise.

37. 2 Samuel 15:2-6

“Absalom would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, ‘What town are you from?’… And Absalom said, ‘If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has any complaint or case could come to me, and I would see that they receive justice.’”
Example: Absalom’s manipulation of the people’s trust to undermine King David is an example of deceptive leadership.

38. Matthew 24:24

“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
Example: Individuals who perform miraculous feats to convince and mislead people from the truth exemplify the false messiahs mentioned here.

39. Proverbs 26:25

“Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.”
Example: A person who uses charming language to disguise their true intentions and deceitful nature reflects the behavior described in this verse.

40. 1 Kings 13:18

“He replied, ‘I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the LORD: “Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.”’ (But he was lying to him.)”
Example: A false prophet who lies about divine instructions to deceive someone reflects the deceitful behavior described here.

41. Proverbs 27:6

“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
Example: An individual who constantly showers you with praise but never offers honest feedback may be manipulating you, similar to the behavior described here.

42. Matthew 15:14

“Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Example: Following someone who gives misguided or deceptive advice, incompetent, to your downfall, is an example of the incompetent,the blind described here.

43. Proverbs 4:24

“Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.”
Example: A person who frequently uses deceitful or corrupt language to manipulate others shows the behavior warned against in this verse.

44. Genesis 3:4-5

“‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’”
Example: The serpent’s deceptive promise to Eve in the Garden of Eden is an early example of manipulation and deceit.

45. Proverbs 16:28

“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
Example: A person who intentionally spreads rumors or causes conflict between friends reflects the divisive behavior described in this verse.

Answers To Key Questions About Bible Verses on Manipulative People

1. How can I recognize if someone is being manipulative?

Look for signs such as excessive flattery, inconsistency between words and actions, and behavior that aims to control or deceive you.

2. What should I do if I realize someone is manipulating me?

Set clear boundaries, seek counsel from trusted friends or advisors, and consider distancing yourself from the manipulative individual.

3. How can I protect myself from being deceived by manipulative people?

Stay vigilant, rely on your discernment, and verify information before acting on it. Trust actions over words.

4. Can manipulation ever be positive?

Manipulation generally implies deceitful or coercive intent, which is usually negative. Positive influence is based on honesty and integrity.

5. What role does forgiveness play in dealing with manipulative people?

Forgiveness helps you release bitterness and move forward, but it does not require you to tolerate ongoing manipulation or deceit.

Conclusion

The Bible provides numerous verses that address the nature of manipulation and deceit, offering both recognition and guidance on how to handle such situations. By reflecting on these scriptures, you can develop a deeper understanding of manipulative behavior and learn how to protect yourself from deceitful individuals.

Remember, maintaining integrity, vigilance, and discernment will help you navigate relationships and interactions with wisdom and grace.