Overview
Perjury is the act of deliberately testifying falsely under oath or breaking a sworn covenant. Scripture treats this gravely because it misuses God's name, corrupts justice, and reflects a heart of deceit. God desires truth and abhors false witness in all contexts.
Key Scriptures
"You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:12, ESV).
"Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. This is evident when the law speaks against... perjurers" (1 Timothy 1:9-10, ESV).
"Those who swear by the name of the Lord and invoke the God of Israel, but not in truth or in righteousness" face judgment (Isaiah 48:1, NIV).
Application
Christians must speak truth consistently, whether under oath or in ordinary conversation, recognizing that all our words are ultimately before God.