A False Witness Who Pours Out Lies

Proverbs 6:16-19

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:

1.  Haughty eyes

2.  A lying tongue

3.  Hands that shed innocent blood

4.  A heart that devises wicked schemes

5.  Feet that are quick to rush into evil

6.  A false witness who pours out lies

7.  A person who stirs up conflict in the community

In the Little Rascals TV show, those of us who are over 50 remember Spanky. He was a short, chubby little guy who was the leader of a gang of boys. Alfalfa was the taller, skinny, nerdy guy with a ladies’ man complex who had a tendency to lie to get his way, and when he didn’t get his way, up went the fists. I remember Spanky catching Alfalfa in a lie to get closer to Darla, the cute love interest. Spanky would say, “I know you’re lying; guilt is written all over your face.” Alfalfa would then turn to the mirror to inspect his face. Spanky would catch Alfalfa all the time.

We don’t act in a TV show in life, and guilt is never written all over our faces, but lying is a real thing. In court, if you testify, you put your hand on the Bible, raise your right hand, and swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you, God. Repeating this is supposed to strengthen your commitment to the truth and tamp down the desire to lie in court. We all know that it does little to make the truth always come out, but it is a good reminder that lying is a real thing, and when someone is facing jail time or the chair, you would hope that only the truth is spoken.

In John 8:31-32, Jesus is speaking to the people who believe in Him. He says, “So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them], then you are truly My disciples. And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].’” (AMP). If knowing the Lord and obeying His teachings frees us from the penalty of sin, then lying is like throwing yourself in a jail cell and throwing away the keys. Lying traps you in the lie, and the more you lie, the more you get into trouble. Magnify this until it becomes a habit, until you “pour out lies” all day long.

The Amplified version says this: “A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths].” Yes, saying half the truth is still a lie. The false witness has to lie and be good at it so others will believe him. I have watched marriages fall apart because of lies. The husband or wife does something they shouldn’t have done and lies to cover it up. Years later, it is so much of a habit that it becomes your identity, an identity that is webbed with lies that cover nearly everything. Sometimes things cannot be repaired.

Today, stop lying. Stop being a false witness. Tell the truth in love and grace. This is not a badge to go around telling everyone the “truth,” but rather a challenge, a challenge to be done with telling lies to cover up things you have done. Come clean. Rest in the open arms of Jesus, who promises not to condemn you but to show you that you don’t have to live with the shame anymore. I wish we could all talk to the woman caught in the act of adultery. Jesus said, “Those who have not sinned, cast the first stone.” One by one, they all left. Jesus looked at the woman and asked, “Where are your accusers?” Then He said, “Go and sin no more.” No lie here, just the open arms of Jesus saying to you, come and rest from all the cover-up. Let Me heal your broken heart, strengthen your faith, and set you free.

Prayer: Father, I pray that we stop lying. I pray that we stay on the truth side of things, no matter how hard it is, knowing that You will never leave us or forsake us. In Jesus’ name, amen.