Compare Proverbs 19:9 with Exodus 20:16 on bearing false witness. The Verses Side by Side • Exodus 20:16: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” • Proverbs 19:9: “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish.” One Command, Two Angles • Exodus gives the direct command—do not speak falsely about anyone. • Proverbs echoes the command in wisdom form—false testimony brings inevitable judgment. • Together they show that God’s moral law (Exodus) and God’s practical wisdom (Proverbs) agree seamlessly. Divine Consistency in Moral Law • Truthfulness flows from God’s own nature (Numbers 23:19; John 14:6). • Every false witness attacks the character of the God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). • The Ninth Commandment is not culture-bound; Proverbs shows it still carries weight in daily life. Consequences of False Witness • Immediate: credibility destroyed, relationships fractured (Proverbs 25:18). • Societal: courts, contracts, and communities crumble when lies prevail (Leviticus 19:11-12). • Eternal: “all liars—their place will be in the lake that burns with fire” (Revelation 21:8). The Heart Behind the Tongue • Lying lips reveal a deceitful heart (Jeremiah 17:9). • God hates “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who breathes out lies” (Proverbs 6:16-19). • Transformation begins within—“out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Living Truthfully Today • Speak truth even when it costs (Ephesians 4:25). • Verify facts before repeating them (Proverbs 18:13). • Defend those maligned by false reports (Isaiah 10:1-2). • Train children in honest speech early (Proverbs 22:6). • Cultivate integrity so testimony aligns with deeds (Psalm 15:1-2). Summary Snapshot Exodus 20:16 issues the timeless command; Proverbs 19:9 underscores its inescapable consequences. Both passages affirm that God prizes truth, judges deceit, and calls His people to reflect His character by bearing honest witness in every sphere of life. |
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