Swearing falsely, or bearing false witness, is a sin that is explicitly condemned in the Bible. It is considered a violation of the Ninth Commandment, which states, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity in the eyes of God.

The Bible consistently warns that those who engage in swearing falsely will face divine judgment. In Zechariah 5:3-4, the prophet describes a vision of a flying scroll, which represents the curse that goes out over the whole land: "Then he said to me, 'This is the curse that is going out over the face of all the land, for everyone who steals will be cut off according to what is written on one side, and everyone who swears falsely will be cut off according to what is written on the other side. I will send it out,' declares the LORD of Hosts, 'and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of him who swears falsely by My name. It will remain inside his house and consume it, with its timber and stones.'" This passage illustrates the severe consequences that await those who swear falsely, emphasizing that God's judgment will penetrate even the most private spaces of their lives.

The Psalms also speak to the fate of the wicked who engage in deceitful practices. Psalm 101:7 states, "No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who tells lies shall stand in my presence." This verse highlights the exclusion of liars from the presence of God, indicating that swearing falsely is incompatible with a relationship with the Divine.

In the New Testament, Jesus reiterates the importance of truthfulness in His teachings. In Matthew 5:33-37, He addresses the issue of oaths, urging His followers to speak plainly and truthfully: "Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.' But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' Anything more comes from the evil one." Jesus' teaching emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity, warning that anything beyond simple truthfulness is rooted in evil.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of falsehood in his epistles. In Colossians 3:9-10, he instructs believers, "Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." This passage encourages Christians to abandon deceitful behavior as part of their transformation into the likeness of Christ.

The Bible's consistent message is that swearing falsely is a serious offense that incurs God's judgment. The wicked, who persist in deceit and falsehood, are warned of the dire consequences that await them. Through both the Old and New Testaments, Scripture calls for a life of truthfulness and integrity, reflecting the character of God Himself.Malachi 3:5
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, said the LORD of hosts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ...
... esteem his name as venerable in honour of lifeless statues, and in order to the
worship of wicked spirits. ... Avoid swearing falsely, and swearing often, and ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv on the management of.htm

The Heinous Sin of Profane Cursing and Swearing
... take his name in vain," or to swear falsely by his ... profaned and scoffed at by
unrighteous and wicked men ... his holy name, by profane cursing and swearing, and at ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of profane.htm

The Third Commandment
... That which makes swearing yet more heinous, is, that when men have resolved upon
any wicked action, they ... shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 3 the third commandment.htm

Psalm LXXXIX.
... swear: [4140] lest by the habit of swearing, since a ... Would then God promise, or swear
thus falsely? ... foxes." [4207] For the Scripture calls wicked, crafty, and ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxix.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... the name of God, and that neither falsely nor rashly ... under the mosaical law; and
not also swearing by the ... Hence wicked men shall be more terrified, and good men ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

Article xii (V): of Repentance.
... They falsely assert that the Sacrament itself confers grace ex ... death of the wicked,
but that the wicked turn from ... that we may believe the one swearing, and be ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 15 article xii v .htm

A vindication of Gospel Truths Opened,
... righteous partake of the same plagues with the wicked? ... upon those that have already,
or shall hereafter, stand ... and also many things there falsely reported of me ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a vindication of gospel truths.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... To curse another, and to swear vainly and falsely, are sins ... and in little time died
raving, cursing, and swearing. ... them: she also used the same wicked words on ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... fearing nothing, being fully, yet falsely, persuaded of ... Like wicked Haman, that dreamed
of greater honour ... whole life, in whoring, swearing, playing, coveting ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

Prayers Answered
... He kept a tavern, and used to delight in swearing at a ... from the court arm in arm
with the wicked associate whom he had bribed to swear falsely on his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/prayers answered.htm

Is it wrong to swear to God? | GotQuestions.org

In what ways is being a Christian difficult? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about verbal abuse? | GotQuestions.org

Swearing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus