How does Proverbs 6:17 connect with the commandment against bearing false witness? Opening The Text “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood …” “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Shared Emphasis On Truth • Both passages deal directly with speech that twists reality. • In Proverbs, “a lying tongue” stands among sins God expressly hates. • In the Ten Commandments, false testimony is forbidden in courtroom language but also in everyday relationships. • Together they reveal a single principle: the God who is truth (John 14:6) demands truthful words from His people. Why God Treats False Witness So Seriously • Lies attack God’s character, since Titus 1:2 says He “cannot lie.” • False witness destroys community trust; Proverbs 12:19 reminds that “truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” • Deceit harms the innocent. Even slight exaggerations can warp justice, and the Lord “watches over the paths of justice” (Proverbs 2:8). • Satan is “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Whenever we shade the truth, we echo his nature rather than Christ’s. Connecting The Passages Point-By-Point • Same offense, two settings – Proverbs 6 addresses everyday speech; Exodus 20 focuses on legal testimony. – Both settings reveal no context excuses deception. • Same moral weight – The commandment positions truthfulness beside prohibitions of murder and adultery, showing its gravity. – Proverbs couples lying with shedding innocent blood, stressing equal seriousness. • Same relational direction – Exodus specifies “neighbor.” – Proverbs’ list assumes harm toward others. – Truth telling therefore serves both love of God and love of neighbor (Matthew 22:37–39). Practical Outworking Today • Speak plainly; avoid exaggeration, half-truths, or flattery that masks intent. • Refuse gossip and rumors; Proverbs 18:8 warns such words “go down into the inmost parts.” • In business, give accurate numbers and honest advertising; Leviticus 19:35–36 commands honest scales. • On social media, verify before sharing; Exodus 23:1 cautions against spreading false reports. • When you fail, confess quickly (1 John 1:9) and make restitution if others were harmed. New-Covenant Power To Walk In Truth • At salvation believers “put off the old self” and “put on the new” (Ephesians 4:22–25); the Spirit enables truthful living. • Jesus, the embodiment of truth, sets the pattern: “No deceit was found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). • Revelation 21:8 warns that unrepentant liars share the fate of all unbelievers, underscoring the eternal importance of truthful speech. • By abiding in Christ and yielding to the Spirit, believers show the world a God who “desires truth in the inmost being” (Psalm 51:6). Summary Snapshot Proverbs 6:17 and Exodus 20:16 stand shoulder-to-shoulder, declaring that God hates lies and forbids false testimony. Truthful speech mirrors His nature, safeguards justice, and loves neighbor. Through the finished work of Christ and the indwelling Spirit, believers can reject every lying tongue and live out the commandment with integrity and joy. |
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