6 Bible Verses about Deception, Christian Leaders Must Not

We have renounced the hidden things of shame. And we do not walk in craftiness and deceit. We do not adulterate the word of God. But by the manifestation of the truth we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

This is our pride and testimony of conscience. In holiness and Godly sincerity we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you. It was not by fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God.

For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God; but sincere and from God. We speak in Christ in the sight of God.

For our presentation (exhortation) is not based on error, or of uncleanness, or in deceit. We always speak, as God wants us to. He has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the Good News. We do not try to please people, but to please God, who tests our motives (examines our hearts). You know very well that we did not come to you with flattering talk (praise for selfish gain). We did not use words to cover up greed (insatiable desire for wealth). God is our witness!

Ministerial servants should likewise be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain.

The overseer must be blameless as God's steward. He must not be self-willed, not prone to anger, not a brawler, and not violent (quarrelsome) (pugnacious), not greedy of dishonest gain.