What is the meaning of Proverbs 21:28? The danger of “a lying witness” • “A lying witness” is someone who knowingly twists facts, whether in court, conversation, or daily dealings. • Scripture treats false testimony as a direct assault on God’s character of truth (Exodus 20:16; John 8:44). • Proverbs repeatedly warns that lying corrodes relationships and society (Proverbs 6:16-19; 19:5). • When we’re tempted to shade the truth, the verse calls us to examine our hearts: Are we reflecting the God of truth or the father of lies? Crumbling consequences: “will perish” • The word picture is stark—falsehood has an expiration date. – Proverbs 19:9 underscores the same end: “A false witness will not go unpunished.” – Psalm 52:5 shows God personally acting against deceit. • Perishing can unfold in several arenas: – Reputation: once trust is lost, opportunities dry up. – Legal or social fallout: lies unravel and bring judgment (Deuteronomy 19:18-19). – Eternal destiny: Revelation 21:8 places all liars outside the New Jerusalem. • God’s justice may seem delayed, but it is never denied; the lie-propped life collapses. The man who “listens to truth” • “Listens” suggests humble receptivity, not mere auditory hearing (James 1:19-21). • Truth, in biblical terms, is both God’s Word and the reality it unveils (John 17:17). • Hallmarks of a truth-listener: – Teachable spirit (Proverbs 15:31-32). – Willingness to be corrected (Proverbs 12:1). – Desire to align words and actions with Scripture (Psalm 119:11). • Such a person builds on rock, not sand (Matthew 7:24-25). “Will speak forever” — an enduring voice • Truth gives words staying power. Proverbs 12:19 echoes, “Truthful lips endure forever.” • Practical outflow: – Influence: honest counsel is sought long after rumors fade (Proverbs 25:11-12). – Legacy: children, churches, and communities remember the steady voice of integrity (Psalm 145:4). • Ultimately, God’s people will declare His praise for eternity (Revelation 19:1-3), proving that those anchored in truth really do “speak forever.” summary Proverbs 21:28 draws a sharp line: deceit ends in ruin, while truth-embracing believers gain an everlasting platform. God vindicates honesty, both now and in eternity, urging us to forsake every lie and let our words mirror His unchanging truth. |
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