You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Suppressing the Truth

Ro 1:18-19
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

These verses are speaking specifically of those who deny God's own testimony to Himself, to those who claim there is no God. The complaint issued against them is precisely that they know the truth, yet refuse to speak it. They see God's handiwork all around them, but refuse to declare His glory. This refusing to speak the truth, especially when it may benefit the life of another, is a sin in God's eyes. It is lying. At the same time, we should be very clear as to what cases are being discussed here.

Every witness that gives testimony in our courts is required to swear not only that their testimony is true, but also that it is complete. It is just as evil to hold back true testimony that could save our neighbor from condemnation as it is to lie, and thereby cause him to be thought guilty. The commandment itself, in this regard, is particularly focused on legal proceedings. God is not only Love, He is Truth and He is Justice. In Him, there is no injustice. As His children, we ought to reflect His nature. There should be no injustice in us. There must be no favoritism when we are called to serve in the pursuit of justice, when we are called to help settle disputes.

Zep 3:5 The LORD is righteous within her; He will do no injustice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail. But the unjust knows no shame.

The passage from Romans in some ways reflects this courtroom, inasmuch as we have a bad habit of trying to put God in the stand to testify. In our unbelief, we felt like He had good reason to defend His ways to us. Paul points out in no uncertain terms that when we do this, we are lying from the start, for we are ignoring the evidence He has placed before our eyes every day of our lives. The truth is right there, but we choose to ignore it.

Gossip

Yet, there are cases where this same issue of treating our neighbors rightly requires that we silence our tongues. The majority of gossip is probably quite true. It remains wrong, however, and it remains wrong by the combination of this commandment, and the overarching law of love. Proverbs 20:19 warns us not to associate with gossips, for it will lead us to reveal secrets, to break trust, to destroy our own integrity.

It is interesting to note that Paul almost always qualifies gossip with the term 'malicious.' There is no such thing as innocent gossip. If our intentions were innocent, we wouldn't be bringing the matter up. There is a law that rules in this situation. It is that very law that John said was both old and new.

1 Jn 2:7-8
7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

1 Pe 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Pr 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.

As much as we may think ourselves innocent in our discussions of goings on in other peoples' lives, we aren't. Gossip is an expression of hatred. It cannot be anything else. Gossip is never truly an attempt to fix the situation, no matter what we may tell ourselves. Gossip is always an attempt to aggravate the error, to make the sin worse.

Pr 6:16-19
16 There are six things which the LORD hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19 A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.

Isn't it interesting that of these seven things the LORD hates, three of them are involved with this commandment! Isn't it telling that The lies of a false witness are tied together with spreading strife, with gossiping!

Resentment

Lev 19:18 'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.

There's the expansion, the deeper significance. Resentment is a powerful poison, one which can easily rot our souls to the point that we are willing to lie to bring hurt to the resented one. This is why Satan is such an awful adversary. His resentment of God is so strong that he'll do or say anything - true, false, or otherwise - to discredit God in the minds of those he can reach. If we allow resentment to gain hold on our thoughts, we too will find ourselves all too willing to do or say anything to discredit those we resent. We will cheerfully offer up every bit of malicious gossip we come by to cast shadows on their name. It will not be long at all before we are willing to cast aside all concern for truth in our pursuit of vengeance. But vengeance is not ours to pursue.

Forgiveness

This is why the theme of forgiveness runs strong through Scripture. Forgiveness is the great medicine that can keep us from coming to the point of acting as children of the devil. Forgiveness is not simply saying, "I forgive you." We're talking about heartfelt forgiveness. We tend to get caught up in words, as though they had the power. This is especially true for parents, as we try to train our children in proper behavior. It seems, at times, as though we've gotten so used to the simplified explanation that we must give to our youngsters, that we forget the truth behind the simplifications.

Forgiveness and the repentance that allows forgiveness - both have to be more than mere words and phrases. "I'm sorry" doesn't count for much when the heart's not behind it. "I forgive you" doesn't do a thing if the resentment still burns within. "In Jesus' name" doesn't hold any power if the soul proclaiming that name isn't sold out to Him. It didn't work for Sceva's sons. It doesn't work for those around us whose tongues are fast and free with profanities.

1 Co 13:7 If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him. (TLB)

God help us to grasp hold of Your love, to internalize Your love, and realize - truly realize - Your power in our lives. Help us to be as Paul was, fearless in knowing Your love and Your great worth. Help us to be as forgiving as Stephen, so that no resentment may come upon us. Help our witness to be true in both small things and great. Help our witness to Your greatness to be both true and openly displayed, to Your glory.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

From Calvin's Institutes