False accusation, a deliberate act of charging someone with an offense or wrongdoing without evidence or based on deceit, is a theme addressed throughout the Bible. Scripture consistently condemns this practice, emphasizing the importance of truth, justice, and integrity.

Old Testament References

1. Exodus 20:16 · "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." This commandment underscores the gravity of truthfulness in testimony, forming a foundational principle for justice in the community.

2. Deuteronomy 19:16-19 · This passage provides a legal framework for dealing with false witnesses: "If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD before the priests and the judges who are in office at that time. The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. You must purge the evil from among you." This law highlights the seriousness of false accusations and the need for thorough investigation and justice.

3. Proverbs 19:5 · "A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape." This proverb warns of the inevitable consequences for those who engage in false testimony.

4. Psalm 27:12 · "Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence." Here, David pleads for deliverance from those who falsely accuse him, illustrating the distress and danger such accusations can cause.

New Testament References

1. Matthew 26:59-60 · "The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward." This account of Jesus' trial demonstrates the use of false accusations as a tool for injustice and highlights the innocence of Christ amidst deceit.

2. Acts 6:11-13 · "Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, 'We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.' So they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They presented false witnesses who said, 'This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.'" Stephen, the first Christian martyr, faced false accusations, reflecting the early church's struggles against deceit and persecution.

3. 1 Peter 3:16 · "Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you will be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ." Peter encourages believers to maintain integrity, trusting that their righteous conduct will ultimately vindicate them against false accusations.

Theological Implications

False accusations are not merely personal offenses but are seen as violations against God's order of truth and justice. The Bible calls for believers to uphold truth and integrity, reflecting God's character. The scriptures provide both a warning against engaging in false accusations and a promise of divine justice for those who suffer under them. The consistent biblical narrative affirms that God is a defender of the innocent and a righteous judge who will ultimately vindicate the falsely accused.Exodus 23:1,7
You shall not raise a false report: put not your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 19:16
You shall not go up and down as a talebearer among your people: neither shall you stand against the blood of your neighbor; I am the LORD.
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Psalm 41:5-9
My enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
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Matthew 5:11
Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
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Luke 3:14
And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said to them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
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2 Timothy 3:3
Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
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1 Peter 4:14
If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests on you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Nave's Topical Index

part ii.
... idols, Peter deposed him in a general council of ... which his crimes deserve, the unerring
Scriptures assure us ... who played the chief part in this false accusation. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part ii 2.htm

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... From this general reasoning concerning the death and ... been easy to retort the accusation;
for who ... Religion is artfully loaded with false imputations, because it ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xix paul and silas.htm

Anti-Unionistic Attitude.
... Should any one raise the accusation that it ... of our Church against all false teachings;
and ... the unionistic synods that constituted the General Synod, opposition ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/anti-unionistic attitude.htm

General Index.
... Advent message, proclamation of, timely, 351-354. general proclamation of, 355-374. ...
accusation against, 458. ... Theories, false, a snare of Satan, 520-525. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.htm

Psalm LXXII.
... False accusation is his business ... sons, and the like: therefore having humbled the
false-accuser, He ... is now passing, but the Church Herself in general hath been ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxii.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... still deny that Christ is foretold in the Scriptures. ... believes Persian heresies about
a false Christ. ... Faustus, instead of the vague general accusation which he ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

Letter Lxxxii. (AD 405. )
... ago published this restriction of the general affirmation. ... Christians this much more
damaging accusation, that either ... as palpably most absurd and false: it is ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxxii a d 405.htm

What Think Ye of Christ?
... the world to save sinners in general; whereas, their ... Search the scriptures, as the
Bereans did, and see ... any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/what think ye of christ.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God ...
... from departing to their lovers, to false gods; for ... in this place spoken in a general
manner concerning ... for this malignity were, Joseph's accusation, by which ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 9 on the righteousness.htm

General Index to Socrates' Ecclesiastical History.
... Deserter, a Persian, his false report, and the burning ... 717]22, [718]26, [719]123;
general, proposed by ... 890]25; quoted, [891]26; denies accusation by Eustathius ...
/.../general index to socrates ecclesiastical.htm

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