What other scriptures emphasize the importance of truthfulness in communication? The Anchor Verse “He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.” (Proverbs 12:17) A Scriptural Tapestry of Truthful Speech • Exodus 20:16 — “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” • Leviticus 19:11 — “You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another.” • Psalm 15:1-2 — “…he who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart.” • Psalm 34:13 — “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.” • Proverbs 12:19 — “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” • Proverbs 14:5 — “An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.” • Zechariah 8:16 — “These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another…” • Matthew 5:37 — “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.” • John 8:44 — “…the devil… does not stand in the truth… for he is a liar and the father of lies.” • 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.” • 1 Peter 3:10 — “…keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.” • Revelation 21:8 — “…all liars will be consigned to the lake that burns with fire and sulfur…” • Revelation 22:15 — “Outside are the dogs… and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Why Truth Matters • Truth aligns us with God’s character (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2). • Lies trace back to the enemy (John 8:44). • Honesty preserves relationships and builds trust (Ephesians 4:25). • Eternal consequences ride on truthfulness (Revelation 21:8). Living It Out • Let words be mirror-clean: ask before speaking, “Is this factual and fair?” • Own mistakes quickly; half-truths are full lies in disguise. • Refuse gossip—second-hand unverified claims sever reputations. • Model candor in family life; children learn theology by listening to dinner-table talk. • At work, speak with transparent integrity even when it costs; God honors those who fear Him more than fallout. |
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