What does "false testimony" mean in the context of Exodus 20:16? The Ninth Commandment at a Glance Exodus 20:16 — “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” The statement is brief yet comprehensive. It forbids every form of lying that harms another person, whether in formal court or casual conversation. Defining “False Testimony” • Deliberate misrepresentation of facts • Inventing accusations or charges • Omitting necessary details so the truth is twisted • Repeating rumors as though verified • Any speech or written statement that damages a neighbor’s reputation through untruth Legal Setting in Ancient Israel • Courtroom integrity undergirded the covenant community. • Deuteronomy 19:15-21 required at least two witnesses and imposed on a proven false witness the very penalty intended for the accused. • Perjury therefore threatened social stability and invited divine judgment. Wider Everyday Implications • Slander (Psalm 101:5) • Gossip and rumor-milling (Leviticus 19:16) • Flattery that masks deceit (Proverbs 26:28) • Exaggeration or selective facts in business dealings (Proverbs 11:1) • Digital age distortions—posts, texts, emails—carry the same moral weight. Linked Scriptures • God “is not a man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19). • “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD” (Proverbs 12:22). • Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth” (John 14:6). • The devil “is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). • Believers are told to “speak truth each one to his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). Practical Takeaways for Today • Verify information before sharing. • If uncertain, remain silent rather than risk misinformation. • Confess and correct any untruth spoken. • Uphold truthfulness in contracts, résumés, tax forms, and social media. • Defend those unjustly maligned, reflecting Christ’s justice and love. Reflecting God’s Character of Truth The command guards human relationships and mirrors the nature of the God who cannot lie. By refusing false testimony, believers display His righteousness, preserve community trust, and bear witness to the gospel of truth. |
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