A trustworthy witness will not lie,
but a false witness utters lies.

Proverbs 14:5

We’ve discussed the disaster of our legal system thanks to the epidemic of everyone lying and being deceitful in court room situations. But a trustworthy witness is not only needed in legal proceedings, but also in everyday, ordinary life. A civil society simply cannot and will not function when falsehood becomes the accepted norm and is essentially encouraged. And clearly our western culture is very close to jumping right off the cliff of civil society into the pit of depravity and chaos.

We need to dig down into why all the lies? Why is uttering lies seen as a skill set? Why is it seen as a strength to be able to spin the truth just in the way needed to win a sale, or win the big game or win a political race? Why is a person congratulated when their lie wins them a million dollars in a lawsuit? 

The phrasing in our key verse for today is interesting. It doesn’t say, ‘a lying witness utters lies.’ It says, ‘a false witness utters lies.’ 

It also doesn’t say, ‘a non-lying person will not lie.’ It says, ‘a trustworthy person will not lie.’ 

I think these nuances are important. And I think looking at some other t translations will be helpful.

Words describing the first person are trustworthy, honest, faithful. Words describing the second person are false and dishonest. It isn’t just that the second person speaks lies out of his or her mouth. It is that this person is false…is dishonest in their very nature so they will naturally lie.

And it isn’t that the first person does not speak lies. It is that because their very nature is faithful, honest and trustworthy; they simply will not tell a lie. It is not in their nature to do so, and they won’t. Only through Jesus Christ can this be the nature of a human being.

The second person’s way of speaking the lies is quite telling. (pun intended) This person doesn’t just say a lie. No! The lies pour out of them. The lies are on their very breath. The lies are uttered: they are blown, they are blasted out, they are puffed out. 

What a picture this brings to mind! A lying politician’s or snake oil salesman’s words aren’t just spoken; they are poured out; they are flying out on their very breath; they are being blasted everywhere! And, boy, do they do a lot of damage and require a lot of clean up; if anyone is even willing to do that messy job!

Why is our modern society on the brink of not being a civil society? It is simple! As a culture; as a nation…we have kicked God and His Truth out onto the curb and told Him in no uncertain terms that He and His Truth are not wanted anywhere near any facet of humanity. We have told the God of the Universe that He is obsolete and that we are enlightened and don’t need Him anymore. 

So, as a culture…as a nation…we are all false witnesses at our very core; in our heart of hearts. We can’t do anything else but pour out lies because we have no idea what The Truth is. We kicked Him out and He is allowing us to live with the consequences of that daily and ongoing decision to exclude Him form the human race and their dealings. 

Romans 1:21-22

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

Romans 1:25

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.