SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                 1053

“False Witness”

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)

Many of our elected officials, Congressmen and Senators alike, achieved a new behavioral low point during the recent confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh. For many, their agenda was clear – he was not to be confirmed and when they could not fault the integrity of his work as a judge, they attacked him personally. False witnesses emerged and he was treated as guilty, being convicted in the court of the media and public opinion without due process.

Justice Kavanaugh is not ashamed of his Christian faith so how he was treated should not come as a surprise. Jesus was clear that His servants are not above their Master and that they would be treated the same by those of the world.  It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. (Matthew 10:25)

Throughout history, false witnesses have been used to further an evil agenda.

King David often prayed for help against false witnesses. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. (Psalm 27:12; 109:2-3)

Jezebel arranged it so that Ahab could get Naboth’s property which he had refused to sell to the King. … And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. (1 Kings 21:13)

Stephen was stoned to death because of his faith on the testimony of false witnesses. …and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, (Acts 6:13)

Jesus was also the victim of an evil agenda using false witnesses. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. (Mark 14:55-56)

If you openly profess your faith in Christ and let your light – the light of Christ in you – shine in the darkness of this world then you are subject to being falsely accused by those with an agenda to silence your testimony. Live a life of integrity, walking in faith in the power and presence of Jesus. Don’t give the world stones to throw. …having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:16)

The midterm elections are upon us. Exercise your power and God-given privilege to overcome evil by voting your Christian values. Get out and vote! Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)