True or False

DEVOTION

PROVERB

TRUE OR FALSE

Prov 19:5

5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free.

NIV  

Certainly this false witness has bearing in the court of law. It would seem that would not be an issue for most people as we would think we all would swear to tell the truth, nothing but the truth and the whole truth. But the fact is it might also apply to our daily conversations when they turn to gossip. It is interesting gossip is defined as casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true. In essence, when we gossip we are bearing false witness about another person. Usually we are retelling a story without being witness to the actually event or supposed conduct of another person. It comes down to the overused, but very profound statement: if we are not part of the problem or the solution, then we do not need to know about it, it is none of our business. The lie however, is not about other people but of ourselves. These are the words which we tend to use in order to defend our actions or behavior in order to not seem as bad as we are. Lies can also be used to portray us as better then we really are. The prophet Jeremiah spoke regarding these two issues, false witness and lies.

Jer 9:4-6

4 "Beware of your friends; do not trust your brothers. For every brother is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer. 5 Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning. 6 You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the LORD.

NIV

It would seem none of us can quantitatively say we have never told a lie. If we think we have never lied, we call God a liar. We have all taught our tongues to lie. Again, either for the purpose of refusing to accept fault or to appear as if we think more highly of ourselves then we should. How often have we heard, “A little white lie isn't bad”? Is there such a thing? Then we might as well put levels on all sin. Some sin is acceptable others are not. It might be doubtful we will ever be free of sin, which includes lies. Of course we should make every effort to be truthful in all matters. We are told as far as it depends on us, we are to live in peace with all men. This would mean not to gossip or tell lies which disrupts this living in peace with them. Surely when we are found out about either there are consequences which cause difficulty in our relationships. So let us be about the truth in all matters.