What other Scriptures emphasize the importance of truth and justice in decision-making? Setting the Scene Deuteronomy 19:18: “The judges are to make a thorough investigation, and if the witness is a false witness and has falsely accused his brother …” God insists that every decision be driven by truth—no shortcuts, no favoritism, no room for lies. Scripture keeps circling back to that same standard. Truth Is Non-Negotiable • Exodus 23:1: “You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.” • Proverbs 12:17: “He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.” • Proverbs 14:25: “A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.” • Ephesians 4:25: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” • Colossians 3:9: “Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices.” Truth telling isn’t merely moral etiquette; it is covenant faithfulness. A lie fractures community and dishonors the God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Justice Is the Heartbeat of God • Leviticus 19:15: “You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.” • Proverbs 17:15: “Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.” • Proverbs 21:3: “Doing what is righteous and just is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.” • Isaiah 1:17: “Learn to do right; seek justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the widow’s case.” • Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” God’s people cannot claim worship while ignoring justice. Right sacrifices without right judgments ring hollow. Guardrails for Leaders and Courts • Numbers 35:30: “Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.” • Deuteronomy 16:19: “Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.” • Zechariah 7:9-10: “Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor.” Multiple witnesses, freedom from bribery, and special care for the vulnerable keep decisions aligned with God’s character. Jesus and the Apostolic Pattern • Matthew 5:37: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.” • Matthew 23:23: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin but have neglected the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.” • John 7:24: “Stop judging by appearances, but judge with righteous judgment.” • James 3:17: “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere.” Jesus zeros in on integrity at the heart level; the apostles echo it, reminding believers that truth and justice are gospel fruits. Takeaways for Today • Every sphere—home, church, workplace—calls for thorough investigation before conclusions. • Truth protects the innocent and restrains the wicked; lies turn both upside down. • God’s reputation is tied to our judgments. When we handle truth and justice well, we mirror His holiness to a watching world. |
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