There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: …a false witness who pours out lies. Proverbs 6:19

So what is so different about this verse from two verses before it? Both are lies, but this one seems to be lies against someone who is innocent of wrongdoing. The LORD detests lies and lying against someone you know is innocent. Part of it relates to motive. Why would you tell lies about someone? To get ahead? To gain favor in someone else’s eyes? To destroy the person’s reputation?

Look at those in Scripture who were the victims of false witnesses: Joseph, Peter, Paul, and Jesus himself. Even if the person is 100% innocent, lying about the person will plant a tiny seed of doubt even if has been determined to be 100% false. Still, the doubt lingers.

Today, many Christians are experiencing these types of false witnesses. Look at the Communist government in China, and previous to that in Soviet Russia. You hear of Christian Pastors being thrown into jail for subversion and crimes against the State. Many are beaten until they “confess” crimes they probably haven’t committed. Their accusers never have to prove a thing, the mere mention of the alleged crime is enough to destory someone’s reputation. Taken to its extreme, the person may end up losing his life for not confessing, and may lose it because he confessed.

Pray today for the persecuted Church around the world. China is one of many countries where Christians are regularly picked up and questioned. Cuba, India, Indonesia, Sudan, Vietnam, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria, Uzbekistan, North Korea, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, U.A.E., Turkey, and other nations face similar persecution. Choose a country out of that list, read up about them, then pray accordingly.