A False Witness

Exodus 20:16 KJVS

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Have you ever been falsely accused of doing something you know you didn’t do? Yeah, if you haven’t then let me tell you, it sucks. Especially when you have people swearing up and down they saw it or chiming in, adding their two cents. Do you know what a false accusation can do to someone’s career or life? And what is the judgement of one that accuses someone falsely? Well, let’s dig into a false witness.

Sirach 26:5 KJVA

There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.

Someone at first may not think much of a false witness. Someone just lying. Well, think about it. How often do you hear about matters, even on a court level, of people being not only accused but convicted of various crimes? Such as rape, murder, etc. Only to find out fifteen to thirty years later they were really innocent? It was all a lie. Everything mentioned in the verse above has a core that can be linked to a false witness. Which is usually the person making the false accusations; hence, slandering someone’s name and reputation in the process. And depending on the allegations, you can incite anger in the people and they just want judgement. Throw him (or even her) under the jail. Without first, even questioning the validity of the claims.

Psalm 35:11 KJVS

False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

When false witnesses rise up and decide to slander someone and ultimately destroy their life, they can bring up things you never heard before. You finding out, you are a prime suspect in something you know nothing about. They talking about, “yeah this dude raped two girls an eight year old and a five year old (based on a true story I read) and must be stopped.” Meanwhile you like, “I hope you find the guy.” And they like, “You are the guy! It’s over for you buddy. You’re gonna rot in jail.” For some, it won’t set in and hit you until you are on the other side. And it’s worse when it’s people you know or that know of you accusing you.

Psalm 35:11-17 KJVS

False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. [12] They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. [13] But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. [14] I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. [15] But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: [16] With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. [17] Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

You have to understand that some people, even though they smile in your face and make it seem as if all is well, when the opportunity presents itself will be some of the first to sell you out and bring up accusations against you. And when you are going through these allegations on a small level or a large, they will be there smiling and clapping and rejoicing at your suffering, feeling as if justice is being served and your getting what you deserve. All of a sudden more people come out the woodworks talking about, “Mm hmm, I knew it. Something wasn’t right about that brother, I just felt like something was off. He didn’t seem like a man of God to me.” “Man that’s messed up, how could you bro.” All because someone accused you of being abusive. True story, I have experienced it. First hand. People will accuse you and then ride the wave on the backs of others. “Well, it gotta be true if she said it. Why would she lie?” Meanwhile you are in a state of confusion, awe and shock. As to where this is all coming from, how could people that have known you for years, all of a sudden just believe you are verbally and physically abusive. And some suspected it for a long time, yet that didn’t stop them from using you as a resource or help when they needed it, although they felt this way. No proof, just one sister who committed adultery making claims on social media. And even people who are supposed to be righteous just eat it up. The very people you helped when they needed support, even some very recently and now they won’t even listen to your side of the story, they got it all figured out; that’s painful. Especially, when the root was all this came to light after your ex wife committed adultery. Now she wants to destroy you after she messed up, so she has a valid reason to justify why she committed adultery. So people say, “look see it makes sense why she left him for another man, I would have left too.” But in the wake of the hashtag “me too” movement, a woman can easily accuse a man of something, say she saw it all or experienced it and the world can eat it up as truth. Without ever suspecting it’s all a slander based off of ill motives.

Deuteronomy 19:15 KJVS

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

This is why we have laws that cover things of this nature. One witness isn’t enough. Our people love to rally behind something if they feel justified in doing so. “I seen the whole thing!” When they have seen no-thing! But they FEEL this person is guilty. They want this person to be guilty or to defend the other person they admire or love more. Yet the law lets us know you need two to three witnesses to put someone to death. Or hold any charge to them, if sufficient evidence isn’t found or they themselves don’t admit guilt. And yes, the person being accused can count as a witness against themselves.

Deuteronomy 19:16-21 KJVS

If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; [17] Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; [18] And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; [19] Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. [20] And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you. [21] And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

IF, that’s the key. Because it isn’t always the situation, sometimes someone really is guilty, other times they are truly innocent. But if a false witness does decide to make a case and testify against someone something false, that they or someone they know of made up, both parties must be brought before the judge, jury and executioner. No accusing and running away. The judges must do their best to make diligent inquisition to find out who is lying and who is telling the truth. And if it be found that the person who is the witness is lying then the liar is to receive the very judgement they felt that person should receive or that person would have received for the crime. To prevent further evil form spreading both from that person and whoever else may possibly think about doing the same thing.

Proverbs 6:16-19,22 KJVS

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: [17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, [19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. [22] When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

Need it be you or someone you know; it can be good to know that the Most High God hates the beginning and ending of matters like this. Usually all of these things are steps in a larger situation, it’s just about how far does it go before it ends. You need a heart that devises evil imaginations and thoughts. Now you’re quick to spread mischief. You start using a lying tongue to make up lies and bear false witness to sow discord among people. Now you feel justified and have a proud look. And can get you and others in a place to execute judgement to shed innocent blood. And not all these matters make it to court. Many are handled on the street. People accuse you or others and decide to take the matters into their own hands. They now feel justified in shooting you or threatening to shoot you and kill you or getting others to do it based off a lie. Again, true story I have experienced it. But you have to maintain faith in the Most High God and that he will see you through as long as you stay righteous and do your part. And what was evil will turn to good. And some of those same people that threatened to shoot you or jump you can apologize and have a change of heart and I have experienced it.

Matthew 15:19-20 KJVS

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: [20] These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

The mind is where all of these things start. People begin to imagine ways they feel they can get even or how they can make someone else suffer. Even if the crime doesn’t fit the bill. He stepped on my shoe, I wanna kill him. But it was an accident. Nope don’t matter, you should have been more careful, its just principal now. The mind can justify anything it wants to be right, especially if you find someone to co-sign it for you and agree with you.

Matthew 26:59-62 KJVS

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; [60] But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, [61] And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. [62] And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

Christ was falsely accused to be put to death. But it was prophesied that it would happen, one way or another. But when these things happen; and know in due season they will, find a way to rejoice in it.

1 Peter 4:13 KJV

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

You are also partaking in Christ’s sufferings when you are falsely accused. And even if you may lose your life, when Christs returns you will be glorified, just as he is and will have joy as he will have joy. Just endure until the end.

Mark 14:55-56 KJVS

And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. [56] For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

Sometimes the key in finding out a false witness is to listen to each ones story independently and get an understanding. You will find many of times that when examining the details the stories don’t line up. The story is like Swiss cheese; full of holes.

Proverbs 6:14-15 KJVS

Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. [15] Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

Evil is in some peoples hearts. If they don’t repent or change certain things about themselves, they will get worse with time and just as with Cain and Able, you become the enemy just for trying to correct and help your brother (or sister). And where love should be, now they hate you for it. But know for a certainty that there is a God and he sees all and that vengeance belongs to him.

Proverbs 19:5 KJVS

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.