100 Bible Verses about Leading People Astray

Matthew 18:6 ESV / 122 helpful votes

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 93 helpful votes

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Isaiah 9:16 ESV / 76 helpful votes

For those who guide this people have been leading them astray, and those who are guided by them are swallowed up.

Matthew 7:15-20 ESV / 74 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ...

2 Timothy 3:5 ESV / 73 helpful votes

Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Jeremiah 50:6 ESV / 61 helpful votes

“My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold.

1 John 4:1 ESV / 58 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Acts 20:30 ESV / 53 helpful votes

And from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 52 helpful votes

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 48 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Matthew 15:14 ESV / 45 helpful votes

Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

1 Peter 2:25 ESV / 44 helpful votes

For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Matthew 18:5-9 ESV / 43 helpful votes

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

2 Peter 2:1-22 ESV / 38 helpful votes

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; ...

John 14:6 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

2 Corinthians 11:13 ESV / 36 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 35 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 33 helpful votes

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

Matthew 19:14 ESV / 33 helpful votes

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:1-7 ESV / 33 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

Matthew 7:15 ESV / 33 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Isaiah 53:6 ESV / 33 helpful votes

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Corinthians 4:1-18 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. ...

John 3:16 ESV / 29 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 3:8 ESV / 28 helpful votes

And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 27 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

1 Corinthians 6:9 ESV / 27 helpful votes

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,

John 10:10 ESV / 27 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 8:12 ESV / 27 helpful votes

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 1:1 ESV / 27 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Psalm 119:176 ESV / 27 helpful votes

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

2 Peter 2:15 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,

Matthew 18:7 ESV / 26 helpful votes

“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

Proverbs 3:5 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Leviticus 20:13 ESV / 26 helpful votes

If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

Jude 1:4 ESV / 25 helpful votes

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:7 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

2 Peter 2:3 ESV / 25 helpful votes

And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 25 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Romans 5:8 ESV / 25 helpful votes

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 15:13 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Matthew 24:11 ESV / 25 helpful votes

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

Matthew 18:5 ESV / 25 helpful votes

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 25 helpful votes

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Jude 1:11 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.

1 John 4:8 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

John 16:33 ESV / 24 helpful votes

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 8:44 ESV / 24 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Micah 3:5 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.

Jeremiah 23:13 ESV / 24 helpful votes

In the prophets of Samaria I saw an unsavory thing: they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray.

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Psalm 119:67 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 23 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ...

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 23 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Proverbs 7:25 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths,

2 John 1:10-11 ESV / 22 helpful votes

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 22 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Isaiah 3:12 ESV / 22 helpful votes

My people—infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your guides mislead you and they have swallowed up the course of your paths.

1 John 2:1 ESV / 21 helpful votes

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

Luke 6:27 ESV / 20 helpful votes

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Ezekiel 48:11 ESV / 20 helpful votes

This shall be for the consecrated priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept my charge, who did not go astray when the people of Israel went astray, as the Levites did.

Jeremiah 23:1 ESV / 20 helpful votes

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.

Genesis 1:1 ESV / 20 helpful votes

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Revelation 2:5 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 19 helpful votes

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...

Matthew 18:8 ESV / 19 helpful votes

And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.

Ezekiel 44:10 ESV / 19 helpful votes

But the Levites who went far from me, going astray from me after their idols when Israel went astray, shall bear their punishment.

2 Timothy 3:7 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

Matthew 18:13 ESV / 18 helpful votes

And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.

Matthew 18:12 ESV / 18 helpful votes

What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?

Ezekiel 44:15 ESV / 18 helpful votes

“But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept the charge of my sanctuary when the people of Israel went astray from me, shall come near to me to minister to me. And they shall stand before me to offer me the fat and the blood, declares the Lord God.

Ezekiel 14:11 ESV / 18 helpful votes

That the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, nor defile themselves anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be my people and I may be their God, declares the Lord God.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV / 17 helpful votes

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV / 17 helpful votes

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Matthew 18:3 ESV / 17 helpful votes

And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Revelation 3:20 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

2 Peter 2:1-3 ESV / 16 helpful votes

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? ...

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Romans 1:1-32 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ...

John 10:1 ESV / 16 helpful votes

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.

1 John 2:18 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

2 Timothy 3:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes

While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV / 15 helpful votes

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Acts 28:22 ESV / 15 helpful votes

But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

Revelation 22:18 ESV / 14 helpful votes

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,

1 Peter 2:20 ESV / 14 helpful votes

For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

James 2:26 ESV / 14 helpful votes

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Colossians 4:1-18 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ...

Colossians 2:1-23 ESV / 14 helpful votes

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. ...

Matthew 18:14 ESV / 14 helpful votes

So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

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