Deut 5:20 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

At time, individuals on this forum wrongly accuses their brothers (or sisters). The degree can be a small implication to a blunt straight accusation. It can happen at some rare occasion or be for some individual a habitual behavior. This often lead to a deflection of the discussion at hand and many other destructive consequences.

These accusations are often false. But in a case that we do have a true witness against our brother, they are biblical principles, measure, and steps to take that the Lord have put in place in the goal to win a brother back to the truth and to bring justice when wrong has been done to another.

Mouth of 2-3 Witness to Convict a Brother of Sin

AV Dt 19:15 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."

The fact that a single witness cannot convict anyone of sin is designed as a safeguard against false accusation. More than one piece of evidence must be found, or more than one person must witness an act in order to convict a sinner.

This law is the foundation for the entire Bible under both covenants. Jesus used it in Mat 18:15-18. aul used it in 2 Cor. 13:1 and applied it again in 1 Tim. 5:19 in his instruction to Church leaders:

AV 1Ti 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

It was forbidden to believe an accusation without corroborating evidence as a double witness. Paul agreed with the law that no man could be convicted of sin apart from two or three witnesses.

A Dispute to be brought to the Church Leaders (Earthly Court)

There are procedures for any man who have an accusation against its brother describes in

Deut 19:16. “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:… (verse continues below)

The person making an accusation may think he is right, and of course the brother accused thinks he is wrong. Regardless whose right or wrong, verse 17 says the matter needs to be brought in front of the Lord who are represented by the Leaders of the Church.

This is a biblical court and the two disputing men are said to be standing before God. The two men who took oaths were presenting a formal statement of truth to the Highest Court. They are calling upon God to bear witness to the truth of their statement. Thus, they subjected themselves to God for judgment for any falsehood in their statement or any malice in their hearts.

If it turns out to be a false statements, this would profaned the name of God, as Lev. 19:12 says, because it presumed that God Himself would confirm a lie.

AV Lv 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.

Bearing false witness or accusations is closely related to the 3rd Commandment "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (Deut. 5:11).

The Penalty of Falsely accusing a Brother

We continue with Deut 16 that the Church Leaders found the witness bearing a false accusation against a brother. Then let’s read what the Lord commands us to do.

Deut 16:18 “…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.”

This means if the witness falsely accuses a brother of stealing a sheep(any property), owes two, or four sheep (Ex 22:1,4). Or in the case he falsely accuses a brother to commit adultery which the result is a death penalty imposed on the innocent men, the the false witness must be sentenced to death.

The Lord will always thoroughly examine first the accuser. If He is found to be false, He will judge him with the same measure he has judge his brother. This law is to put away the evil of false accusation among our midst. No pity shall is to be given to the false accuser for this is a serious offence to both the Lord and his brother.

Summary

A. To properly bring an accusation against a Brother you need 2 to 3 witness

B. If the Brother disagree with the accuser, the case should be brought to the Lord (Church Leaders) who will make a thourough examination

C. If the accuser is found bearing false witness against His brother, he should receive the penalty intended on the accused brother.

Jesus refers to this law and commends us not to judge or condemn our brother but instead forgive. If we do, the same measure we judge others, will be used against us. Luke 6:37, 38 “…For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

D. Bringing an accusation against a brother is no light matter. This is a serious matter and should be weight carefully and within the proper instructed manner the Lord has given us in Mat 18:15-18 a)talk to the brother one on one, b) bring 2-3 witness, c)bring him to Church Leaders. All of these careful steps is in the goal to win your brother back.

E. To me this tells me that bringing an accusation against a brother whether true or false is not something to do in a habitual frivolous manner in a public forum.