"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." Exodus 20:16
As long as the devil is loose and sinful men refuse to repent, there will be false reports, yet God promised that He will eternally judge all who participate in such an abomination.
Recently, I met and spoke at length with a man who was falsely accused of a crime he never committed. This man spent 27 years in prison for a crime he never committed. Based on DNA evidence, this man was freed. Now that DNA evidence can be submitted, many are being exonerated and freed from prison. The government then has to pay them for false conviction and incarceration and yet we must wonder how great damage has been done to that falsely accused man or woman. Many of us wonder how many people sit in prison today who have also been falsely accused and convicted.
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Exodus 20:16
Bearing false witness or participating with others in such carries with it great judgment. No disciple of Jesus should ever associate with a tale bearer or bearer of tales – that which is not proven.
There’s biblical evidence of yet another kind of DNA believers should be aware of.
DNA – Do not Associate!
False reports are filed daily in this sinful world. Ungodly, greedy people file reports against the rich in order to get a financial settlement. Others file false reports for a variety of other sinful reasons. Personally, although I don’t even pay much attention anymore, I seriously doubt a lot of the reports filed by women against famous, rich athletes.
Among the body of Christ are tares our LORD told us. Many times, out of sheer jealousy/envy, some file false reports. They do this to hurt the person their iniquitous heart despises due to their own soul-damning envy.
Today, among the righteous, some have been falsely accused and suffer for that misrepresentation. We must beware not to ever participate in this dissembling work of the one who is the very accuser of the brethren (Proverbs 26:20; Revelation 12:10).
“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness (do not participate). 2Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest (pervert) judgment:” Exodus 23:1-2
Justice against another person is never to be perverted. The disciple of Christ is never to participate in a “false report” in any form or fashion. If we do, God sees us as “an unrighteous witness” or one who bears false witness. A “report” can be drafted by ANYone about ANYone else and say ANYthing that originator wants to convey.
What is to be considered a “false report”? A false report would be a report we don’t have actual witnesses to.
“This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” 2 Corinthians 13:1
Hearsay is one thing and an actual witness is another. The next time someone brings you a report about another, ask them if THEY actually witnessed what they are reporting.
Though there must be “two or three WITNESSES” for us to buy into a “report,” we must also beware that wolves have always conspired together and run in packs and work against Christ and His servants (Ezekiel 22:25-27). Our LORD himself, king David, and Paul the apostle had “MANY false witnesses” rise up against them (Psalms 35:11; Matthew 26:60; Acts 6:13). All who truly serve Christ will have false witnesses rise up against them (Philippians 1:29). Jesus promised those who truly followed and obeyed Him would be severely persecuted and spoken evil of (1 Peter 4:1). He says that the enemy’s children will will say “all manner of evil against” them (Matthew 5:10-12). So, why should we be surprised if we or another brother or sister is slandered? (1 Peter 4:12-14)
Beware of the enemy’s desire to discredit the witness of our LORD. He “walketh about seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Soon Satan and his false witnesses shall be forever vanquished from among the righteous, irrevocably slammed down deep into the bowels of eternal damnation.
Just WHO does the Bible say participates in false reports? Read this verse carefully:
“A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.” Proverbs 17:4
In this very matter of giving ear to and furthering a “false report” we don’t personally have knowledge of or where there are not 2-3 actual witnesses, the Bible here says: “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.”
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him … A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16, 19
Biblical Prescription to Remove Strife
How are we instructed to stop strife, tale bearing, false reports, and the abomination of sowing discord among the brethren?
Proverbs 26
“20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”
According to verse 20 in the passage above, the only way to get rid of strife is to get rid of the person or persons who have originated it and anyone circulating it and furthering its evil cause.
“where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” (Proverbs 26:20
Psalms 50
“2The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
4Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
5God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
6The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him.”
Here’s is the LORD’s pronouncement of His eternal judgment impending upon those who would misuse the tongue He gave them. Such venomous iniquity originates in the hearts of men. Jesus says that “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34)
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