Speaking honestly isn’t always easy, and integrity doesn’t always come naturally. But both are worth teaching. As parents, we want our kids to grow up telling the truth, keeping their word, and doing the right thing even when no one’s watching. The Bible gives us some great verses to help guide these conversations and shape our kids’ hearts. Here are some of our favorite go-to Scriptures to talk about what it means to live with honesty and integrity—at home, at school, and everywhere in between.
Check out these verses on honesty and integrity
1. Put Away Falsehood – Ephesians 4:25
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”
2. Be Faithful In the Little Things – Luke 16:10
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
3. Do Not Lie To One Another – Colossians 3:9
“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.”
4. Speak the Truth In Your Heart – Psalm 15:1–2
“O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart.”
5. Be Honorable – 2 Corinthians 8:21
“For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.”
6. Speak the Truth To One Another – Zechariah 8:16
“These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace.”
7. Keep Your Lips From Speaking Deceit – Psalm 34:13
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.”
8. Let Your Yes Be Yes – Matthew 5:37
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”
9. Think About Things that Are True – Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
10. Keep Your Lips From Speaking Deceit – 1 Peter 3:10
“For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.”
Try This: Honesty in Action
Pick one of the verses you read today and make it your family’s verse of the week. Write it on a sticky note, a chalkboard, or a bathroom mirror—somewhere your kids will see it every day. Then, challenge each other to put it into practice.
At dinner or bedtime, ask: Did you have a chance to be honest or show integrity today?
How to Use This List with Your Family
These 10 verses are great to read through with your family, but they’re also meant to start meaningful conversations and deepen your family’s faith connection. Here are a few easy and creative ways to use them:
- Do a One-Night Overview – Read through the entire list in one sitting to get the big picture of how Scripture encourages family love and unity. You can let each family member pick their favorite and why it stood out.
- Make it a 10-Day Devotional Plan – Focus on one verse per night for 10 days. Read the verse, use the discussion starter, and end with a family prayer time. This creates a simple Bible discussion time without being overwhelming.
- Summer Family Devotion Series – Use this list during summer break as a casual devotion plan–maybe after dinner or before bedtime. Keep it light, and let kids take turns reading the verse or leading the prayer.
- Take it on Vacation – Choose one verse to talk about each day–whether you’re in the car, at the beach, hiking in the woods, or winding down at the end of the day. This keeps your family’s discipleship efforts going even on vacation!
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