Being falsely accused for something is always frustrating, but remember Jesus, Job, and Moses were all accused wrongly. Sometimes it happens from someone wrongly presuming something and other times it’s out of jealousy and hatred. Stay calm, do not repay evil, defend your case by speaking the truth, and continue to walk with integrity and honorably.
False witness is a statement that one party offers as evidence in a legal proceeding while knowing that it is not true. False witness is any statement or report, written or verbal, signed or not, made under oath or affirmation or otherwise required to be made under penalty of law or applicable code of professional responsibility, whether material or not and regardless of its admissibility, that the party knows to be false.
The Bible, a timeless source of moral and ethical guidance, addresses the significance of truthful testimony and the consequences of bearing false witness. In this blog post, we explore selected Bible verses that shed light on the importance of honesty, integrity, and the impact of false testimony on individuals and society.
Truth and Consequences: Bible Verses about False Witness
- Exodus 20:16 (NIV):
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” The Ninth Commandment, found in the book of Exodus, unequivocally prohibits the act of bearing false witness. This commandment establishes the foundation for a just and harmonious society by emphasizing the importance of truth in our interactions with others. - Proverbs 14:5 (NIV):
“An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.” This proverb contrasts the reliability of an honest witness with the deceitful nature of one who bears false testimony. It underscores the destructive consequences of spreading falsehoods and highlights the value of honesty in interpersonal relationships. - Proverbs 19:5 (NIV):
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.” This verse from Proverbs emphasizes the inevitable consequences that await those who engage in bearing false witness. It serves as a reminder that truth is not only a moral imperative but also carries repercussions in the divine order. - Proverbs 25:18 (NIV):
“Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.” This vivid metaphor emphasizes the harm caused by false testimony. Just as physical weapons can cause tangible damage, false witness inflicts harm on a person’s reputation, relationships, and well-being. - Matthew 19:18 (NIV):
“Jesus replied, ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony.'” In the context of Jesus’ teachings, false testimony is explicitly mentioned as one of the actions to avoid. This reinforces the idea that honesty is an integral aspect of living a righteous and virtuous life. - Colossians 3:9 (NIV):
“Do not lie to each other since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the transformation that occurs in believers’ lives. This transformation includes a commitment to truthfulness and a departure from the deceitful practices of the past.
Bible Verses About False Witness
What does the Bible say?
1. Exodus 20:16 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
2. Exodus 23:1 “You must not pass along false rumors. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand.
3. Deuteronomy 5:20 Do not give dishonest testimony against your neighbor.
4. Proverbs 3:30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
Blessed
5. Matthew 5:10-11 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
6. 1 Peter 4:14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Bible Examples
7. Psalm 35:19-20 Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
8. Psalm 70:3 Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”
9. Luke 3:14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
Reminders
10. Isaiah 54:17 But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!
11. Proverbs 11:9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
Trials
12. James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
13. James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Do not repay evil
14. 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
15. Proverbs 24:29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.”
Stay Calm
16. Exodus 14:14 The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
17. Proverbs 14:29 Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
18. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
19. 1 Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
20. 1 Peter 2:19 For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment.
Speak the truth: The truth defeats lies
21. Proverbs 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
22. Zechariah 8:16 But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.
23. 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.
Seek God’s help
24. Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
25. Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Bible Verses aboutFalse Christians
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 273 helpful votes
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as
apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel
of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as
servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Titus 1:16 ESV / 221 helpful votes
They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are
detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Matthew 7:21-23 ESV / 195 helpful votes
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that
day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and
cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then
will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of
lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:15 ESV / 172 helpful votes
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly
are ravenous wolves.
2 Timothy 3:5 ESV / 147 helpful votes
Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such
people.
1 John 4:1 ESV / 139 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.
2 Timothy 3:1-17 ESV / 137 helpful votes
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of
difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud,
arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless,
unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid
such people. …
Matthew 7:1-29 ESV / 107 helpful votes
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you
will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do
you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that
is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck
out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first
take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the
speck out of your brother’s eye. …
John 8:44 ESV / 97 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 has nothing to do with 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.
John 13:35 ESV / 91 helpful votes
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for
one another.”
Matthew 15:8 ESV / 85 helpful votes
“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 ESV / 84 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? …
2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 83 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.
Matthew 24:24 ESV / 77 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.
Revelation 21:8 ESV / 73 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.”
James 1:26 ESV / 73 helpful votes
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives
his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 64 helpful votes
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and
create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid
them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,
and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Revelation 22:18-19 ESV / 61 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, and if
anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take
away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in
this book.
Jeremiah 14:14 ESV / 57 helpful votes
And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my
name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are
prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of
their own minds.
Isaiah 29:13 ESV / 53 helpful votes
And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor
me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is
a commandment taught by men,
2 Peter 1:21 ESV / 51 helpful votes
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God
as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV / 50 helpful votes
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or
do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless
indeed you fail to meet the test!
Acts 20:29-31 ESV / 50 helpful votes
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not
sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking
twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert,
remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish
everyone with tears.
John 14:6 ESV / 50 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.
Luke 6:26 ESV / 49 helpful votes
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to
the false prophets.
Matthew 24:1-51 ESV / 48 helpful votes
Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point
out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all
these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone
upon another that will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives,
the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things
be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And
Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in
my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. …
2 Peter 2:1-3 ESV / 46 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.
Luke 6:46 ESV / 46 helpful votes
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
Mark 13:22 ESV / 44 helpful votes
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and
wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
Matthew 13:1-58 ESV / 44 helpful votes
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great
crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the
whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables,
saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the
path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground,
where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they
had no depth of soil, …
Proverbs 10:9 ESV / 44 helpful votes
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked
will be found out.
Deuteronomy 18:20 ESV / 44 helpful votes
But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not
commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same
prophet shall die.’
1 Timothy 6:4-5 ESV / 43 helpful votes
He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy
craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy,
dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who
are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a
means of gain.
Mark 6:11 ESV / 43 helpful votes
And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when
you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against
them.”
2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 42 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.
James 4:17 ESV / 40 helpful votes
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is
sin.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 ESV / 40 helpful votes
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and
exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people
will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate
for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from
listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
Ephesians 5:12 ESV / 39 helpful votes
For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
2 Peter 2:1-22 ESV / 38 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
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; …
Bible Verses aboutFalse Friends
1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV
/ 73 helpful votes
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 40 helpful votes
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
1 John 4:1 ESV / 27 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.
Matthew 5:30 ESV / 26 helpful votes
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For
it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go
into hell.
Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 26 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He
makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He
restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You
prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head
with oil; my cup overflows. …
John 15:13 ESV / 25 helpful votes
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his
friends.
Bible Verses aboutFalse Love
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV
/ 39 helpful votes
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a
noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand
all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove
mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I
deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is
patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It
does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; …
Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 38 helpful votes
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and
create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid
them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,
and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
1 John 4:7-8 ESV / 22 helpful votes
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves
has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God,
because God is love.
1 John 4:8 ESV / 19 helpful votes
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
John 3:16 ESV / 19 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.
1 John 4:1-21 ESV / 12 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. By
this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ
has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus
is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was
coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and
have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the
world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the
world listens to them. …
John 5:28-29 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs
will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection
of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
2 John 1:11 ESV / 9 helpful votes
For whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
1 John 4:1 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
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.
Conclusion:
The Bible’s teachings on false witness underscore the importance of truth in maintaining just, loving, and harmonious relationships. As we reflect on these verses, let us be reminded of the ethical responsibility to speak truthfully and the profound impact our words can have on individuals and the fabric of society. In a world often fraught with deception, embracing the wisdom of these biblical verses can guide us toward a path of integrity and righteousness.