80 Bible Verses About Manipulation

Manipulation is when someone tries to control you through lies, guilt, or deceit. It hides behind kind words but has selfish motives. The Bible warns us about people who twist the truth to get what they want. 

God calls us to live with honesty and respect for others. Manipulators use flattery, fear, and confusion to take advantage of people. Scripture teaches us to recognize these tactics and protect ourselves with wisdom and boundaries.

Recognizing Manipulation: Biblical Markers of Controlling Behavior

Manipulation violates God’s command to love others by treating people as objects to control. The Bible identifies key signs: twisting words to confuse (2 Peter 3:16), using flattery for selfish gain (Proverbs 29:5), operating in secrecy. 

(Ephesians 5:11), and using guilt or fear to control (Galatians 2:4). God designed relationships built on truth, respect, and freedom. Manipulation opposes His character. Recognizing these patterns is the first step to freedom.

80 Bible Verses About Manipulation

1. Proverbs 26:24-26 – Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
2. 2 Corinthians 11:3 – But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
3. Proverbs 12:20 – Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
4. Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
5. Genesis 3:1 – Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
6. Proverbs 12:5 – The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
7. Proverbs 14:8 – The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
8. Proverbs 11:18 – A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
9. Proverbs 20:17 – Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
10. Proverbs 26:28 – A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

11. Proverbs 29:5 – Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.
12. Psalm 55:21 – His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
13. Proverbs 7:21 – With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.
14. Romans 16:17-18 – I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
15. Proverbs 28:23 – Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
16. Proverbs 2:16 – Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words.
17. Psalm 12:2 – Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.
18. Proverbs 5:3 – For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil.
19. Daniel 11:32 – With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.
20. Jude 1:16 – These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

21. 2 Peter 3:16 – He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
22. Ephesians 4:14 – Then 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 people in their deceitful scheming.
23. Colossians 2:8 – See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
24. Galatians 1:6-7 – I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
25. 2 Corinthians 2:17 – Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
26. Acts 20:30 – Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
27. Jeremiah 23:16 – This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.”
28. Matthew 24:24 – For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
29. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 – The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.
30. Jeremiah 9:8 – Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors, but in their hearts they set traps for them.

31. Galatians 2:4 – This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.
32. 2 Corinthians 11:20 – In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face.
33. 1 Peter 5:3 – Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
34. Matthew 23:4 – They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
35. 3 John 1:9-10 – I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers.
36. Ezekiel 34:4 – You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.
37. Mark 10:42-43 – Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you.”
38. 2 Corinthians 1:24 – Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
39. Matthew 20:25-26 – Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”
40. James 3:14-16 – But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

41. Matthew 7:15 – Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
42. 2 Peter 2:1-3 – 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. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.
43. 2 Timothy 3:13 – While evildoers and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
44. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 – The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
45. 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 – For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
46. Titus 1:10-11 – For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
47. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 – For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
48. 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.”
49. Matthew 24:11 – And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
50. 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.

51. Proverbs 16:28 – A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
52. Proverbs 11:9 – With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.
53. Proverbs 26:20 – Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
54. Proverbs 18:8 – The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
55. Leviticus 19:16 – Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.
56. Psalm 101:5 – Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.
57. Proverbs 10:18 – Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.
58. 2 Corinthians 12:20 – For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
59. Romans 1:29-30 – They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful.
60. Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

61. Proverbs 6:16-19 – 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.
62. Proverbs 24:2 – For their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.
63. Psalm 10:7 – His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.
64. Proverbs 1:10-11 – My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul.”
65. 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.
66. Psalm 36:3 – The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good.
67. Proverbs 12:2 – Good people obtain favor from the Lord, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
68. Isaiah 32:7 – Scoundrels use wicked methods, they make up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.
69. Jeremiah 11:19 – I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more.”
70. Psalm 64:5-6 – They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it?” They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!” Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

71. Ephesians 4:25 – Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
72. 2 Corinthians 4:2 – Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
73. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 – For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
74. Proverbs 21:6 – A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
75. Ephesians 5:11 – Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
76. John 8:44 – You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
77. Proverbs 12:22 – The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
78. Zechariah 8:16-17 – These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this, declares the Lord.

79. 1 John 3:7 – Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
80. Ephesians 5:6 – Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Manipulation

Manipulation uses deceit and control to exploit others. Scripture exposes these tactics as evil. The Bible warns about people with sweet words but evil hearts. They use charm to control and flattery to trap. God calls us to walk in truth and genuine love. 

Healthy relationships are built on honesty and respect, not manipulation. If someone makes you feel guilty for boundaries or twists your words, that’s manipulation. You’re not obligated to tolerate it. Setting boundaries is biblical and protects your dignity.

Say This Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me recognize manipulation in my relationships. Give me discernment to see through deceit and flattery. Protect me from those who exploit rather than care. Give me courage to set healthy boundaries without guilt. 

Heal wounds from manipulation and surround me with genuine relationships. Let me walk in truth and freedom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about manipulation? 

The Bible condemns manipulation as a form of deceit and control that violates God’s design for honest, loving relationships built on truth and respect.

How can I recognize manipulation in relationships? 

Look for patterns like twisted words, excessive flattery, guilt-tripping, secretive behavior, and people who make you question your own reality or feelings.

Is it biblical to set boundaries with manipulative people? 

Yes, the Bible supports protecting yourself from harmful influences and maintaining healthy boundaries, as seen in Romans 16:17-18 and Ephesians 5:11.

What should I do if someone is manipulating me? 

Pray for discernment, seek wise counsel, set clear boundaries, and distance yourself from the relationship if necessary while walking in truth and love.

Can manipulative people change? 

With genuine repentance and God’s transforming power, people can change, but you’re not obligated to remain in harmful situations while they do.

Conclusion

Manipulation is a serious sin that destroys trust, damages relationships, and operates against God’s character of truth and love. The Bible clearly warns us about people who use deceit, flattery, and control to exploit others for selfish gain. 

Scripture equips us with wisdom to recognize manipulative tactics like twisted words, smooth talk hiding evil intentions, and guilt used as a weapon. God calls His people to walk in honesty, integrity, and genuine love that respects the freedom and dignity of others.