Lying against your neighbor

Like all other sins, lying comes in all sorts of ways, and is harmful to the person that it is aimed at as well as the person doing the lying. It is a sin, no matter how you try to disguise or justify it. We are to protect our neighbors good name and protect him from false accusations.
First of all, who is our neighbor?
Luke10:25-37 On one occassion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do your read it?" He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind', and , 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "You have answered correctly", Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on is own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the inn keeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "the one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him. "Go and do likewise."


Ex.20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor

Prov. 19:5 A false witness WILL NOT GO UNPUNISHED, and he who pours out lies WILL NOT GO FREE.
Eph. 4:25 Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Prov.11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
Matt. 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.
James 4:11 Brother, do not slander one another.

So what should we do?
Prov.31:8-9 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
1Cor.13:7 (Love) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1Peter 4:8 Love covers over a mutlitude of sins.