Does the Bible say anything about cheating in school?
Cheating in school is not directly addressed in the Bible, but cheating clearly disregards God's desire for us to be people of integrity and honesty.
Cheating in school is misrepresenting what you have learned or what you know, and that is dishonest, a lie. Lying is a sin (Leviticus 19:11; Proverbs 12:22). When we lie, we injure our character and reputation (Proverbs 10:9). We are called to glorify God and walk according to His ways as lights to the world (1 Corinthians 3:16; Philippians 2:15; Ephesians 5:8).
Christians are to resist temptations (Matthew 26:41; 1 Corinthians 10:13) and live life as new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we succumb to the temptation to cheat, we create a false view of who we are; it identifies us as cheaters, and taints others' view of Christians, therefore of Christ.
Cheating in school may appear to offer a shortcut to learning the information, but eventually the lack of actually learning the information will be revealed. When we avoid cheating, we represent what we have learned honestly. When we are honest, we represent God well and God will honor that.
Proverbs 6:16–18 lists things God hates. Lying is among them. "There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers."
Every lie is a lie, no matter how big or small. Cheating at school is lying to others, and to yourself, about what you have learned. Do your best without cheating, learn from your mistakes and incorrect answers, and show others an honest character.
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