False Witness
Text: Exodus 20:16
Introduction:
- Hitler: “The broad mass
of a nation...will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small
one.”
·
Strictly speaking, this command was originally focused
against perjuring one’s self in a judicial trial. Deut. 19: 16-20 talks about
what should be done to a false witness who lies in a courtroom.
·
A false witness is a liar. Saying that which isn’t
true. Listen to a few statements found in the Scripture concerning those who
lie:
(Prov 12:22a) “Lying lips are abomination to the lord...”
(Ps. 101:7) “He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that
telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.”
(Prov. 6:16-19) “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an
abomination unto him: {17} a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed
innocent blood, {18} an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be
swift in running to mischief, {19} a false witness that speaketh lies, and he
that soweth discord among brethren.”
I. An Examination of Lying
A.
Its origin
1.
The devil is the Father of lies
a)
Many times we blame the devil for all sorts of things that he
is not directly responsible.
b)
(John 8:44) “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of
your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in
the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he
speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
2.
Jesus is the origin of truth
B.
Its Recipients (1 John 1:6-10)
1.
We lie to others (v. 6)
2.
We lie to ourselves (v. 8)
a)
“O what a tangled web
we weave; when first we practice to deceive.” - Sir Walter Scott
b)
We have trouble distinguishing between the lies and reality
3.
We lie to God (v. 10)
a)
Many have convinced themselves that they will be just fine
Ex. Bob Knight interview. ‘If you died tomorrow
would you be satisfied’ His answer, ‘As I am standing in that line to
enter...there would be a lot of people behind me.’
b)
Many people believe and live a lie, but God will not accept
sincerity of heart
C.
Its Consequences
1.
It hurts the liar
a)
(Ps. 52:2) “Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor,
working deceitfully.”
b)
(Ps. 55:21) “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter,
but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn
swords.”
c)
(Prov. 16:27-28)
damage is done
d)
(Prov. 18:6-8) lies
cause wounds
e)
(James 3:5) “Even so the tongue is a little member, and
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
2.
It hurts those being lied about
3.
Judgment
a)
President Nixon went out in disgrace because of lying
b)
The Watergate tapes reveal his advice to those involved
(1)
“Stonewall...” or withhold the truth
(2)
“Lie like hell”
II. Types of Lying
A.
Slander: malicious lie with an intent to do harm
(Ps.101:5) “Whoso privily slandereth his
neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart
will not I suffer.”
B.
Talebearer: telling something without checking the facts in
the matter
1.
“They say...” “Someone said...” “I heard that...”
2.
Gossip and rumor cause great hurt
(Prov. 18:8) “The words of a talebearer are as
wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
3.
Prov. 12:13-14
talebearer, even in telling the truth, causes damage
4.
Prov. 17:9 If you
repeat a matter, you are doing damage
C.
Flattery: words spoken to manipulate others
(Prov.26:28) “A lying tongue hateth those that are
afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”
(Prov.
20:19) Flattery and talebearing are bad
D.
Insinuation
E.
Dishonesty
F.
Half-truths
G.
Gossip
III. Overcoming A Lying Tongue
A.
Make honesty a priority in every area of life
B.
Do not allow children to lie
C.
Elevate the truth
1.
Love the Truth
a)
Just as the lie is of the devil, Truth is of God
b)
Jesus said, “I am the Truth...”
c)
Paul spoke of those who do not love the truth (2 Th. 2:10)
2.
Learn the Truth
a)
We need to be committed to the truth
b)
Before the truth can set us free we must know it
c)
Jesus tells us that we can know the truth through His Word
3.
Live the Truth
D.
Don’t listen to lies, gossip
1.
Prov. 17:4 a wicked person listens to lies
2.
Gossip is like tossing feathers in the wind. You can never undo all that you have said.
E.
Follow the Scriptural Admonitions about the tongue
1.
Prov. 6:16-17
2.
Prov. 4:24: Put away
3.
Prov.6:17 One of the
things the Lord hates
4.
Prov.10:18-21 liar is a
fool, so is the slanderer
5.
Prov.12:17-19 compares lying and truth
6.
Prov.12:22 lying lips are an abomination
7.
Prov.14:5 faithful witness will not lie
8.
Prov.17:7 lying lips do not fit a ruler
9.
Prov.19:5 The liar will be punished
IV. Peripheral
Issues with lying
A.
Are there “Acceptable” lies?
1.
To save the life of another
a)
In this instance, a greater good takes precedence over a
lesser good
b)
Illus. Rahab, midwives
2.
White lies
a)
Problem
“The problem with calling lies ‘white’ is that you cannot
possibly always be sure that it is indeed, ‘white,’ minuscule, or
harmless. Don’t imagine that you are
able to calculate for sure which lie would be harmless. Even if you feel certain that there wouldn’t
be any harm, we may seriously underestimate and not anticipate all the
ramifications of that seemingly little lie with the limited vision we mortals
have. Down the road and around the bend
in people and in time, that seemingly little lie might cause much unhappiness
or injustice.”
b)
Learn to deal tactfully with situations
(1)
Find something to praise without telling a lie
(2)
Learn to deflect the conversation
B.
Other Issues
1.
Being too open
a)
How open should a leader be with his own concerns and fears?
b)
How open should a parent be about their past mistakes and
indiscretions when talking to their kids?
c)
Finding a balance between being “genuine” or “too open” or
“too closed” can be difficult.
2.
Telling truths that should not be told
3.
Privacy versus the need to know
a)
At what point do we or must we “rat” on someone else?
b)
What situations do we conceal information?