Do Not Bear False Witness — Exodus 20:16
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor”
— Exodus 20:16, NIV
This commandment teaches that what we say about other people must be true, because every person’s good name matters to God.
Many people know this verse in its older wording: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” It is one of the Ten Commandments. The word “testimony” brings to mind a courtroom, where one false witness could ruin an innocent person.
Most of us will never stand in a witness box, but we speak about others every day. A rumor passed on, a story told with a twist, a half-truth shared online, or a silence when someone is wrongly blamed can all bear false witness. Words like these can damage a reputation in minutes. Like feathers scattered in the wind, they are almost impossible to gather back.
Notice the word “neighbor.” This commandment is about the people around us: coworkers, family, friends and those we disagree with. A friend loves at all times, and part of that love is protecting someone’s name when they are not in the room.
Jesus Himself suffered false testimony. At His trial, many testified falsely against Him (Mark 14:56). He knows the pain of being misrepresented, and He stands close to everyone who has been lied about.
This commandment does not ask us to hide the truth when real wrong has been done. Speaking honestly about harm can protect others. What it forbids is twisting the facts to hurt someone, to win an argument or to make ourselves look better. Scripture warns that reckless words pierce like a sword, and it calls each of us to “speak truthfully” to our neighbor (Ephesians 4:25).
Today, before you speak about someone who is not present, make sure your words are true, fair and something you would say in front of them. If you have passed on something false, take one step to set the record straight.
Lord, You are the God of truth. Guard my tongue, help me speak honestly about others, and teach me to protect my neighbor’s good name. Amen.
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