Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:16.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16.
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“A trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness utters lies.” Proverbs 14:5.
“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.
“A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who tells lies will not escape.” Proverbs 19:5.
But, there is more to avoiding being a false witness, then just avoiding testifying falsely against someone in a court of law. For example, one can be a false witness by flattery which are lies.
“They speak falsehood to one another;
With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.” Psalm 12:2.
“There is nothing reliable in what they say;
Their inward part is destruction itself.
Their throat is an open grave;
They flatter with their tongue.” Psalm 5:9.
“A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.” Proverbs 26:28.
Q. 112. What is required in the ninth commandment?
A. That I bear false witness against no man, nor falsify any man’s words; that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer; that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly or unheard; but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit as the proper works of the devil, unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God; likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly, and confess it; also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able, the honor and good character of my neighbor. Heidelberg Catechism.
Love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;”. 1 Corinthians 13:6.
“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 6:14-16.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 