False Witness

For Thursday, September 13, 2007
Proverbs 25:18

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

Note God's standard of justice. To slander another person is equal to striking him with a weapon. To lie with the intent to damage a neighbor is an act of violence. Think about this the next time you are tempted to "exaggerate" the truth or fail to tell the whole truth.

Like the effect of a weapon, the damage lingers and may be permanent. The lie spreads and the neighbor's reputation cannot be reclaimed. Or if it is, the damage against his well-being has already been made.

Consider the term "false witness." It infers that you are a witness, and as such to be trusted. This is not passing on gossip. It is making a claim that you witnessed the deed or the evidence. How much more then will you be held accountable before God.

"But he lied about me!" All the more reason not to resort to the same tactic and thus lend credence to his slander. All the more reason to carefully speak the truth, even speak the truth in love to the honor of Christ whom you represent. Remember that God sees and knows perfectly all that takes place, even the motives of the heart. It is for him to justify. Our responsibility is to be a "true witness" for the cause of Christ.