Do Not Bear False Witness

Destructive Tales

Exodus 20:16 NKJV

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Exodus Commentary

False testimony” (עֵד שָׁקֶר) lay at the heart of deceitfulness through the serpent in Eden (cf. Gen 3:1–4; Rev 12:9; 20:2). The serpent told a lie, a lie that misrepresented the Creator, his creation, and his words—in fact, God’s reality. This false witness, once believed, brought forth death for Eve and for Adam and crumbled creation. God bore the truth in the garden of Eden. Eve accepted Satan’s ploy and delivered a false testimony of reality to Adam, who also believed it. Death was indeed the result, as God had warned them. The goal of Yahweh’s words was to deliver life, not death (cf. Gen 2:16–17; Deut 32:47). In this law the hired or bribed “false witness” is primarily in mind, often featured in a legal case, stemming from a litigious social setting. A false witness corrupts not only himself and slays the innocent, but disables the entire jurisprudence system by misrepresenting reality, the truth. Justice becomes impossible, and in fact mocked

God Hates Lies

Proverbs 6:16–19 NKJV

These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Guard Your Heart and Mouth

Do Not believe everything your hear or are told

Without the matter being investigated properly.

There is a Godly way to find the truth!

Today we have the Spirit of God in us to lead us into all the truth.

Do not be lead by your flesh or your own mind.

Deuteronomy 19:15–20 NLT

“You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. “If a malicious witness comes forward and accuses someone of a crime, then both the accuser and accused must appear before the Lord by coming to the priests and judges in office at that time. The judges must investigate the case thoroughly. If the accuser has brought false charges against his fellow Israelite, you must impose on the accuser the sentence he intended for the other person. In this way, you will purge such evil from among you. Then the rest of the people will hear about it and be afraid to do such an evil thing.

1st There must be more than one witness.

2nd It must be verified by God’s authority on the earth.

3rd A sentence must be pronounced.

So what should we do?

1st Don’t be the False Witness.

Leviticus 19:16 NLT

“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. “Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.

Make a determination that from your mouth only what builds and edifies will come out. Use it to bring life not death.

Psalm 101:5 NKJV

Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure.

Don’t do it in Secret.

So many times we tell ourselves that we won’t tell anyone but in secret behind doors we start slandering people.

False Witnesses were used against Jesus

Matthew 26:59–60 NLT

Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward

The Truth is Still The Truth

Culture and the world has not changed the truth. We do not get a free pass on this topic just because we think the world is so evil

Colossians 3:9 NKJV

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

If you are being falsely accused for God’s sake you are Blessed!

Matthew 5:11 NKJV

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

Let’s us take time to examine ourselves today!

Is there anything in us today that needs to change?

Is there anything in us today that shouldn’t be there?

Let’s get it right and be a light in this world!