Truth!

For Tuesday, December 17, 2024:

Deuteronomy 5:20 NKJV, God’s words: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

This commandment teaches that we are to be truthful. In a court of law, an eyewitness is king! “I saw him pull the trigger, and watched the body fall to the ground.” That kind of damning testimony can send someone to prison for a long time! And our God wants us to speak only the truth!

This principle applies even when we aren’t on the witness stand. In everyday life let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ actually be ‘no.’ When a Christian speaks, we should assume that their word is good.

Take gossip off your things-to-do list. Sometimes gossip is spreading rumors and untruths. Other times it’s gloating over someone’s misfortune. Either way, we shouldn’t be a part of it.

The words spoken by a follower of Jesus should be truth, words like He would say!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth or Consequences

March 18, 2013 Monday Message:

As part of our 10 Commandments series, today we’ll visit #9 - "Do not bear false witness against your neighbor." Ex. 20

God doesn’t lie, and neither should you. Should you ever be called upon to testify in a court of law, you’ll be asked to place your hand on a Bible and to swear on God’s name that your testimony is true. This is not something to be taken lightly. You are using God’s good name to backup what you’re about to say. You’re putting God’s stamp of approval on your words. Don’t let Him down!

What comes out of your mouth should always be true – but – not everything that’s true needs to be said. Some things are best kept to yourself. Don’t use your words to dis somebody, to put somebody down. Leave gossip to the pagans. Use your words for kindness, or remain silent.

The concept extends into trustworthiness, honesty and truth. People of God should be known as people of good character; incorruptible.

Sidebar: Whenever I hear of another fallen TV preacher, or a scandal within a denomination, I want to scream, “Get off our side!” Unfortunately, the behavior of the fallen has discouraged many in their Christian walk, and has kept others in the agnostic abyss. Let me assure you that this is a problem with human failings, not a problem with God. God is still on the throne, and rescuing you is still #1 on Jesus’ agenda. The Bible says to not put your trust in man, who cannot save. But joyful are those who trust in the Lord. (from Ps. 146)

Next week: The grass is always greener…

Norton Lawellin

Celebrate Palm Sunday with us, March 24, 10:30am, Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF), in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. Dan Pilla recaps the Triumphal Entry.

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False Witness?

November 05, 2012 Monday Message:

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16

A false witness is a liar, a prevaricator, and if he lies about his neighbor, he probably lies about everything and can’t really be trusted at all. Of course, “deceiving your neighbor” flies in the face of “loving your neighbor as yourself.”

This well-known commandment isn’t just about courtroom testimony. In fact, it includes gossip, exaggeration, slander, and anything put forth as a truth, which is, in fact, false. Speech intended to rob a person of his good name or character is against the spirit of this law.

Suppressing the truth when the truth could benefit your neighbor is wrong, as is putting forth the truth when it can only injure someone. Not everything true needs to be said.

None of us likes being lied to, but we sometimes experience it in an imperfect world. We do not expect lies to come from the mouths of believers. It’s far worse when we’re deceived by pastors or church elders, and the Bible says that God will hold them to a higher standard.

“There are things that the Lord hates and cannot tolerate … someone who tells one lie after another." from Proverbs 6:16-19 GNT

Godliness and honesty must walk hand-in-hand. That’s what the Bible says.

Norton Lawellin

Exceptional worship and teaching last Sunday, and if you weren’t there, you missed it! This week we continue in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF,) North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, 10:30am.

NL