Walk Of Life – Day 19, April 2021 – Thoughts From The Book Of Proverbs – DON’T s
DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies shall perish. – Proverbs 19:9
Why is truth-telling so important? As always in Christian ethics, the answer is fundamentally theological. God is “the God of truth” (Isa. 65:16). Truthfulness is an essential attribute of God and His Word (John 4:23–24; 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 17:17; 2 Tim. 2:15; Titus 1:2; 1 John 4:6; 5:6). In contrast, telling lies reflects the character of Satan and those who follow him (John 8:44; 1 Tim. 1:10; 1 John 2:22; Rev. 21:8). Since we are created in the image of God, designed to reflect His character, we should speak the truth just as God speaks the truth.
Frequently people say untrue things about others. Marriages are broken up because of false rumors that someone has spread. Reputations of honest and honorable people are damaged. A Christian might not be involved in drug addiction, drunkenness, fornication, adultery, or homosexuality, but a Christian may be big on slander and backbiting. I can think of no practice–other than deep-seated hatred and lack of forgiveness–that will so quickly cut off the blessing and power of God in a Christian’s life.
Obedience to the ninth commandment frees us from the fear, insecurity, doubt, torment, and eventual condemnation that are the fruits of deceit. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Ex. 20:16) is the ninth of the Ten Commandments given to Moses to govern and bless the children of Israel. But its place on the list does not mean it is less consequential than other commandments. Peace, happiness, security, trust, and tranquility are in jeopardy when this commandment is ignored.
Breaking this commandment may be as subtle as teaching our children, by negative example, that shading the truth just a bit is acceptable if there is no chance of getting caught. But its consequences may be as dangerous as the punishment of an individual for crimes he or she did not commit. In any case, bearing false witness—of which lying is just one aspect—erodes the souls of individuals and snips away at the cords of common trust that must bind any society together if it is to survive.
At church, at work place, at our neighborhood, saying something falsely against others is something we should shun. May we be controlled by the spirit of God to speak good and truth about others.
