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We continue reviewing the Royal Law from the perspective of how we communicate. Previously, we considered gossips and slanderers but today, we focus on liars and those who give false witness against others.
Proverbs 6:16-19 - There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
For a long time, I wondered why the Lord took the time to distinguish between someone with a lying tongue (A.K.A. a liar) and a false witness who pours out lies and is therefore, also a liar. Fortunately, the Lord clarified the distinction. A liar tells untruths - big and small. However, a false witness is a type of liar whose words hold weight and can negatively impact someone else. Imagine, for instance, a witness lying against somebody in court. The consequence could be severe.
The fact God highlighted different types of liars should catch our attention. The Bible goes on to spotlight other types of liars and what becomes of them. Proverbs 19:5 - A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free. Lying was such a big deal, the Lord included it in the Ten Commandments. Deuteronomy 5:20 - You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. Further, He instructed in Leviticus 19:11 - “’Do not steal. “’Do not lie. “’Do not deceive one another. Notice that deception is also a form of lying to the Lord, though many consider it better than telling an outright lie. However, where there is deception, there is often a lie in waiting. Ananias and Sapphira were deceptive and said what they likely thought was a tiny lie. They each died on the spot (Acts 5:1-11).
On some level, most know that lying is wrong. However, many do not realize how intensely God hates the act. As a result, telling 'white' lies is thought to be inconsequential. Far too many craft large webs of untruths thinking the end justifies the means. And there are those skilled in deception who wield it as a weapon. In each of these cases, the liars sadly ignore God's word and thereby use their mouths and fingers to fall into the category of those God hates and has promised to destroy (Psalm 5:6).
As self-professing believers we must be aware of the need to be truthful as it gains us access to the Lord (Psalm 15:1-5). We must also treat others as we want to be treated. Ask yourself, did you ever enjoy being falsely accused? Did it make you happy to learn that an untruth was spreading about you? If any part of you can identify with those questions, then please think long and hard before sharing an untruth. Never give false witness against someone. And do all you can to not be deceptive. Sure, there are times when you can't share information even when a straightforward question was posed. In such cases, the solution is not to lie. Instead, rely on God for the wisdom to answer - or not answer - without deception and lies. This will require being intentional and prayerful to receive such grace in advance.
Unfortunately, all of us have told an untruth but praise the Lord, He offers us forgiveness when we sincerely repent. King David is an example of someone who was deceptive and lied in the way he killed Uriah (2 Samuel 11). Thankfully, he humbled himself before the Lord and was washed clean of his sins. You and I have an opportunity to do the same and receive God's mercy today. May our Heavenly Father forgive us and help us remain mindful of what He desires. May He teach us how to communicate in a manner that honors Him in obedience and express the love we receive from Him to others, IJMN, Amen.
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On Friday, we looked at the Royal Law, which commands us to love others as we love ourselves and thereby treat them the way we want to be treated. Today, we learn how to apply the Royal Law in the way we communicate about others. Specifically, God's instruction to neither gossip nor slander.
To better understand gossip, consider Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Although this verse does not mention gossip, it gives direction on the attitude we must have about what we say. This scripture calls us to be intentional, and not mindless, in how we use our words. Our speech must build others up and not tear them down. The words we share should benefit those who listen. Sure, we all want to say something funny, but at whose expense?
Gossip does not take any of this into consideration. It is unwholesome talk which destroys the subject of the communication. It is hurtful and something none of us would want shared about ourselves, talk less blasted across the forms of media we now use to express our every idea and opinion. Imagine if you were the topic of discussion. Would you still want people to keep talking? Ask yourself, would the person you're communicating about be hurt to hear what is said about them? Would you be hurt if the tables were turned?
In many cases, the communication may seem harmless - a juicy tidbit casually shared to entertain. Unbeknownst to most, that morsel destroys the speaker and the listener as well. Proverbs 17:4 - Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander (NLT). All it takes to be a wrongdoer in this case is to listen to, and not even share, gossip. Plus, if the listener becomes a wrongdoer, what does that make the speaker?
Every human is fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image (Psalm 139:14, Genesis 1:27). This should challenge us to tread carefully when we say or listen to things about people. Particularly, things that aren't nice. And we must keep this in mind because there are times when we will unfortunately have to share something unpleasant about someone. Before you do, ask yourself what your intention is in expressing what you're about to say. This will require you to slow down and think before speaking. It is scriptural to do so for the Bible warns us to guard our hearts for out of it comes everything (Proverbs 4:23). And, Jesus said in Matthew 15:18, that the words that come out of our mouths were first formed in our hearts. See why we have to be mindful about what's in our hearts? When we fail to do so, we may say the things that God does not want us to say about others and even ourselves.
Besides, we are warned that everyone will reap what they sow (Galatians 6:7). Let us be careful to not reap problems for ourselves through evil communication for such gets people into trouble (1 Corinthians 15:33). Gossip is deemed slanderous in Leviticus 19:16 and the Lord's pronouncement for slanderers is that they will be silenced (Psalm 101:5). I don't think the Lord means they will be made mute. Do you? Further, slanderers are not allowed to stand in the presence of God (Psalm 15:1-3). If your prayers aren't being answered, could gossip and slander be acting as a hindrance? And finally, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 tells us slanderers will not make heaven.
It is not everyone who can instantly turn from ungodly behavior but the key is to be intentional. Call on the Lord to help you. Take decisive steps to limit your interaction with gossips and gossip. When you mess up, confess, repent and get back on track for as long as it takes until you no longer crave that which destroys. The Lord will help each of us to treat others with the love of Christ through our speech, IJMN, Amen.
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