Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 14, 2011

The Importance of Witnesses and their Testimony

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 23:12-22.

“12  When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

13  There were more than forty who formed this plot.

14  They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.

15  Now therefore, you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation;  and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place.”

16  But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul.
 
17  Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Lead this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him.”
 
18  So he took him and led him to the commander and *said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you.”
 
19  The commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, “What is it that you have to report to me?”
 
20  And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him.
 
21  So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him;  and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you.”
 
22  So the commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.”  Acts 23:12-22.
 
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Notice that Paul’s sister did not go to Paul to report the conspiracy, but rather, the son of Paul’s sister did so.
 
Notice that Paul did not go to the centurion to report the conspiracy, but rather, the son of Paul’s sister did so.
 
Notice that the centurion did not go to the commander to report the conspiracy, but rather, the son of Paul’s sister did so.
 
From today’s Scripture, we learn more about the importance of witnesses and their testimony.  Direct testimony from the person who witnessed something is more reliable than hearsay.  It is also important that the witnesses testimony is true, complete, and accurate.
 
It is amazing to read how much and how hard Scripture pounds the table commending truthful and trustworthy witnesses and condemning false and deceitful witnesses.
 
“1  O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
2  He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.”  Psalm 15:1-2.
 
 
“16  There are six things which the LORD hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
17  Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
18  A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19  A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.”  Proverbs 6:16-19.  
 
 
Proverbs 14:5
“A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness utters lies.”
 

Proverbs 14:25
“A truthful witness saves lives, But he who utters lies is treacherous.”

Proverbs 19:5
“A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will not escape.”

Proverbs 19:9
“A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will perish.”

Proverbs 19:28
“A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.”

Proverbs 21:28
“A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.”

Proverbs 24:28
“Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips.

Proverbs 25:18
Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.”

Matthew 15:19
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.”

We are called to be witnesses.  “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;  and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

Let us be truthful.  Let us be trustworthy. 

Do not tell someone else’s story.  Do not elaborate or “puff up” your own testimony. 

Psalm 141:3
“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;  Keep watch over the door of my lips.”

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