In Proverbs 6:16-19 “a false witness” is listed as one of the six things God hates. One of the Ten Commandments is “you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16) It should be against the conscience of every Christian who is to “walk honestly.” (Romans 13:13)

Obviously, not all live up to this standard. What attitude should we have and what should we say? When we experience this it is always good first to look at ourselves and to evaluate to what extent it might be true. Sometimes there’s a small part that might be true. We should make apologies for our part and correct ourselves.

Since God hates a false witness He will correct the matter, either in this life or the next. The accuser is not developing a very good character. Have faith in God. Be patient. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay says the Lord” (Romans 12:19) and “true and righteous are his judgments (which is not true of our own)” (Revelation 19:2)

We can make an attempt to unemotionally and factually state our case. Our Lord did this when he was arrested and falsely accused. “The high priest asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his teaching. Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world … and in secret spoke I nothing. Why do you ask me? … when he had said this, one of the officers struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Answer you the high priest so?   Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smite me?” (John 18:19-23)

The high priest wanted to see if Jesus had a “hidden agenda”. Was there something worthy of a criminal charge? When he was hit by the guard Jesus asked (putting it in modern terms) “What did I do wrong? I don’t deserve to be hit.” Jesus left it at that. He didn’t push his case or tell them that God was going to punish them for what they were doing.

There’s a tendency to want to retaliate. Christians don’t do that. “Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay says the Lord… Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12: 19, 21)

David also had false accusations. He learned to be careful with his words and be humble before God. Psa 39:1-4 “I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from (what seems) good; And my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me; While I was musing the fire burned: Then spake I with my tongue: Jehovah, make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me know how frail I am. “