What does the Bible say about bearing false witness?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible forbids false witness as a serious sin against God and neighbor, calling His people to speak truthfully, justly, and lovingly. Exodus 20:16 expressly prohibits false testimony, while Exodus 23:1 warns against spreading false reports. Proverbs 6:16-19 and 19:5, 9 show that lying lips and deceitful witnesses are hateful to the Lord and will not escape judgment. Jesus includes false witness among sins that defile and harm others in Matthew 19:18. Because God is true and the devil is the father of lies, believers are to put away falsehood and speak truth with one another, as Ephesians 4:25 teaches. In Christ, truthful speech reflects repentance, faith, and love.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 19:5 6 votes
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
- Proverbs 6:16-19 6 votes
[16] There are six things which Yahweh hates; Yes, seven which are an abomination to him: [17] Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood; [18] A heart that devises wicked schemes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, [19] A false witness who utters lies, And he who sows discord among brothers.
- Exodus 20:16 6 votes
"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
- Proverbs 19:9 4 votes
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
- Matthew 19:18 3 votes
He said to him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder.' 'You shall not commit adultery.' 'You shall not steal.' 'You shall not offer false testimony.'
- Ephesians 4:25 3 votes
Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members one of another.
- John 8:44 3 votes
You are of your Father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.
- Exodus 23:1 2 votes
"You shall not spread a false report. Don't join your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness.
- Revelation 21:8 2 votes
But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
- 1 John 2:4 2 votes
One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him.
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