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Tip 8 “False Witness”
You probably have noticed that these concepts God shares with us are not difficult to understand … but the key is to apply them to your life.
I pray God has been giving you opportunities to apply these “tips” on a daily basis.
This week we’re going back to the Ten Commandments for another tip.
God says …
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:16 (ESV)
Don’t bear false witness.
Simple.
Telling the truth about people and events apparently is a big deal to God, and there are some rather severe penalties for those who choose to tell “untruths” — we used to call them “lies” — about other people.
“A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will perish.”
Proverbs 19:9 (ESV)
There was a time when being labeled a “liar” (false witness) was a terrible thing — a character flaw that lowered your standing in decent society.
But in our world today, it seems we just expect everyone to lie to us.
Even though it is acceptable to us, it apparently isn’t acceptable to God.
THE COURTROOM
It’s interesting to note how God told the people of Israel to deal with false witnesses in court proceedings.
“If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you. Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
Deuteronomy 19:16-21 (ESV)
Think about that.
If you are discovered to be a false witness, then you should suffer the punishment that the person you spoke against was at risk of receiving.
Can you imagine if that principle was applied in our world today?
How many “politicians” would no longer walk the halls of legislative power, or have lavish parties, or be able to accept gifts from lobbyists … but would find themselves pacing a small cell for decades because they gave “false testimony” about someone who was a political opponent?
How many “journalists” would lose their jobs and be out on the street looking for work because they sought to share “news” that they knew was false?
How many media personalities would never again see the light of day, let alone the light of a broadcast studio because they intentionally shared false information?
WHAT ABOUT US?
But let’s not limit this warning to the courtroom or social media because it also comes into play in our daily interactions.
In our society today, we have come to accept “lies” or “false witness” as the norm. No longer do we teach our children that one’s word is their bond. Instead we teach that if what they say is approved by “their tribe” it doesn’t matter if it’s true.
That might not be what we say but it is what we teach by example.
DON’T BLAME ME
You may say that you are not a false witness but think about it.
Have you ever shared information about an event when you really didn’t know all the facts?
Isn’t that being a false witness?
Have you ever shared information about a person — what they did, or what they said, or what they thought — when you didn’t really know all the facts?
Isn’t that being a false witness?
Perhaps someone told you something and you passed it on even though you didn’t know if what the person shared with you was true?
Isn’t that being a false witness?
Have you ever been in a group that was disparaging a person and you joined in even though you didn’t know the real facts? Why did you do it? Because everyone in the group seemed to agree and you wanted to be part of the group?
Isn’t that being a false witness?
“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.”
Exodus 23:1-3 (ESV)
This week ask the Lord to give you opportunities to be a “true witness” in all you say.
Choose to live life well.
Choose to NOT be a false witness.
Before I go I’d like to share a blessing with you from the Old Testament.
“May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (The Living Bible)
Until next time … be the reason someone smiles today!
Tip 8 “False Witness”