Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness

The Lord does not take lightly bearing false witness.  In fact, it is one of the 10 Commandments.

Exodus 20:16

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."

Proverbs is full of scriptures warning of bearing false witness and lying.  Here are a few:

Proverbs 19:5

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

Proverbs 12:13-20

13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. 

Proverbs 14:5-10

5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. 

The Lord doesn't mince words when it comes to bearing false witness. Moses explains in Deuteronomy the punishments affixed for those who bear false witness.

Deuteronomy 19:16-21

16 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. 

And finally in Scripture other than the Old Testament we turn to The Book of Mormon.  The prophet Nephi, the son of Helaman, explains why people commit such iniquities as bearing false witness etc.

Helaman 7:20-21

20 O, how could you have forgotten your God in the very day that he has delivered you?

21 But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of iniquity.

Even though that scripture was written shortly before Christ was born (23-21 B.C.) it exactly describes what is going on today.

People bear false witness (and commit all manner of iniquity) to get gain.  Riches, fame, political gain.  Sound familiar to what's going on right now?

It's disgusting what people will do to others -- ruining their lives, families, careers -- by bearing false witness for political gain, fame, and/or riches.

All I have to say is, "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape." (Proverbs 19:5)

That's my two cents.