Seven Things God Hates

Chapter 7

A False Witness That Speaketh Lies

Because of the indiscretion of William Jefferson Clinton, former president of the United States of America, world attention for a time became focused on the issue of lying and false testimony. Never in recent years had such acts been so hotly argued, debated, and discussed. Legal experts, moral activists, and the politically motivated either climbed on the bandwagon of denunciation or the bandwagon of acceptance. Some said, “It’s not a big deal,” while others found the president’s behavior reprehensible. Everyone had an opinion about what constitutes sex, what is truth, and what should be done to the holder of the highest office in the free world.

Man’s opinion, however, doesn’t really matter. It didn’t really matter then and still doesn’t matter today because centuries ago the issue was settled with the ninth commandment of the Decalogue, which states, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” (Exodus 20:16).

The God of truth condemns false testimony and lying. Accordingly, His disgust of a “false witness that speaketh lies” is number six among the things God hates (Proverbs 6:19a).

We have already commented on a “lying tongue,” the second element in this series. Here, however, we examine a particular aspect under which lying is regarded. Bearing false witness refers more so to lying in a court of law while under oath.

Also known as perjury, lying under oath subsequently erodes the effectiveness of a society’s judicial system. Therefore, to assure each individual fair treatment and an honest trial, our laws are designed to deal harshly with those who lie under oath. Truthfulness is commanded by God and required by just men.

Lying is the willful perversion of the truth with the intent to deceive. It is one of the more destructive sins of the tongue whether in or out of the courtroom, board room, or bedroom. An individual may lie boldly, evasively, silently, or hypocritically. In other words, a lie can be said or unsaid. By some standards, truth politely avoided is a lie. A person can keep quiet and still lie. And a life lived as a charade is also a lie.

Lying is destructive and deadly because it undermines the social fabric of the community and nation. It also reveals a hatred for God and man.

Lying, as we have learned, is satanically inspired. Its inventor is the devil, the father of lies. Satan and his demons work to sow lies among men, and anyone who bears false witness, speaks lies, or practices deceit is also in his employ.

While speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus said, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him” (John 8:44). Therefore, every lie is satanically inspired. Again, it originates with the devil in the cavern of the heart.

As a result, the heart is the birthplace of lying and other abominations: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (Matthew 15:19). It is out of the abundance of the heart that the tongue, “an unruly evil full of deadly poison,” speaks (Matthew 12:34; James 3:8). It is out of the heart that lying lips get their directives.

Nowadays, truth is no longer regarded as the bedrock of society. Expediency is the order of the day. You see, if bearing false witness and speaking lies promotes one’s agenda, then so be it. If approaching truth subjectively and relatively will gain for some the desires of their heart, then so be it.

For most, integrity in speech has long since become an ancient art—a lost practice. And like so many things pertaining to God and godliness, truthful speech is now a cheap commodity. Telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is viewed as optional. The mantra “what is truth for you may not be truth for me” rings loudly in public discourse. In the world of business, in the political arena, even in our churches, and personal lives, honesty and truthfulness have become of little or no importance. The act of placing one’s hand on the Bible and swearing to tell the truth but instead lying is seen as “no big deal.” Once upon a time, a man’s word was his bond, and a handshake sufficed because it was held as a sacred trust.