Sheker: Speak Truth
This week we’re continuing our journey through the Ten Commandments in our series, “Old Laws for a New Life.” Tonight, we come to the ninth commandment. Let’s read it together from Exodus 20:16:
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
The Importance of Truth
At first glance, this, again, might seem more straightforward to understand. Don’t lie. Don’t bear false witness. Don’t give a false testimony. Got it. On to number 10 and then I can finally start reading my bible again. But as we’ve discovered in every single week of this series, these commandments have layers of meaning that go far deeper than the simplicity that they seem to have on the surface.
Take a courtroom for example. The tension in the room during a trial is palpable. A person’s fate hangs in the balance. A witness takes the stand, raises their right hand, and swears to tell “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” In that moment, everything depends on whether or not that witness will honor the oath they just made. Will they speak the truth? Or will they bear false witness? Or imagine that you’re having coffee with a friend, and they start sharing some juicy gossip about someone you both know. You’re pretty sure what they’re saying isn’t entirely accurate, but you nod along anyway. Or maybe you’re scrolling through social media one night, and you see a post that just absolutely confirms your political beliefs, and right away you hit “sure” without looking into validity of that post at all. Or how about that moment when you’re describing your accomplishments on your resume, and you’re tempted to embellish just a little.
Just as the sixth commandment, "You shall not murder," extends beyond physical violence to the anger in our hearts, and the seventh commandment, "You shall not commit adultery," reaches beyond physical acts to encompass the purity of our thoughts and the faithfulness of our hearts, and as we learned last week, the eighth commandment, "You shall not steal," goes far beyond taking physical possessions to include stealing time, credit, and dignity - this ninth commandment has profound implications for how we live our lives and relate to others. Think about it - when was the last time that you shared something on social media without any idea of it being true? When was the last time you passed along a piece of gossip that you weren’t completely sure about? When was the last time you stayed silent when someone else’s reputation was being unfairly attacked? When was the last time you shaded the truth just a little bit to make yourself look better? When was the last time you told a “white lie” to avoid an uncomfortable situation?
The truth is (pun intended), we live in a culture that often has a pretty complicated relationship with truth. We talk about “alternative facts.” We justify little lies as “being polite” or “sparing someone’s feelings.” We live in what some have called a “post-truth” era, where feelings and personal perspectives often seem to carry more weight than objective facts.
But here’s what makes this commandment so crucial for us today: truth isn’t just about facts and accuracy. It’s about trust. It’s about relationships. It’s the very fabric that holds human society together. When we bear false witness - whether in a courtroom or in causal conversation - we’re not just breaking a rule in a list that we’ve had for thousands of years. We’re breaking trust. We’re damaging relationships. Or to put it bluntly: we’re contributing to the erosion of truth in our culture. And this commandment calls us to something higher. It challenges us to be people of truth in a world that often seems indifferent to truth. It invites us to reflect God’s character - the God who is called “The God of Truth” in Isaiah 65:16, and whose Son declared Himself to be “the way, the truth, and the life” in John 14:6.
So today, we’re going to explore this commandment in depth. We’ll look at a few things:
What it meant in its original context
How Jesus expanded our understanding of it
How it applies to our lives today
And most importantly, how the gospel empowers us to become people of truth.
The Language of Truth
Let’s start by looking at the Hebrew words used in this commandment. Like we’ve done throughout this series, understanding the original language can give us huge insights into the meaning and intent of these verses.
The phrase translated as “false witness” combines two Hebrew words: עֵד (ʿēḏ) meaning "witness" and שָׁקֶר (šāqer) meaning "falsehood" or “deception.” This combination is pretty significant for the meaning of the verse, because it isn’t just about lying in general (it certainly covers that), but it is specifically about bearing witness, about testifying, about making declarations about reality that impact others. Let’s break down each word:
First, עֵד (ʿēḏ) - "witness." This word appears over 270 times in the Old Testament, and it carries significant legal weight. A witness in ancient Israel wasn't just someone who saw something happen. They were someone who stood up and testified, someone who put their reputation and often their life on the line in doing so. When someone served as an עֵד, they were taking on a pretty sacred responsibility. Their words could mean life or death for the accused. Think about this: in Proverbs 14:25, we read:
“A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.”
The parallel here in this verse is stark. A true witness has the power to save life. A false witness has the power to destroy it. This is why the role of witness was taken so seriously in ancient Israel, and should be taken just as seriously today.
Second, we have שָׁקֶר (šāqer) - "falsehood." This word is fascinating. Unlike other Hebrew words that might describe an error or a mistake, שָׁקֶר carries the idea of conscious, intentional deception. It's not about being mistaken - it's about being misleading. John Walton, in his Bible Background Commentary, notes that this word often carries connotations of treachery and betrayal. It's about breaking trust, not just getting facts wrong.
So the combination of these words: עֵד שָׁקֶר (ʿēḏ šāqer) - "false witness" - creates a particularly heinous offense in biblical thought and theology. Because it's not just lying; it's betraying a sacred trust. It's not just being inaccurate; it's being treacherous. And doing so intentionally. But there’s more to the language here: throughout the Old Testament, שָׁקֶר (šāqer) is often contrasted with another Hebrew word: אֱמֶת (ʾĕmet) - "truth." And this is where things get really interesting. אֱמֶת (ʾĕmet), “truth,” doesn't just mean factual accuracy. It carries the idea of faithfulness, reliability, and steadfastness. When God reveals Himself to Moses in Exodus 34:6, he says:
“The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,”
“…abounding in חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת" (ḥeseḏ 'ĕmeṯ). He's declaring not just that He tells the truth, but that He is fundamentally trustworthy and faithful. The word comes from a root word that means “to be firm, to be reliable.” Truth, in Hebrew thought, isn’t just about getting the facts right - it’s about being someone that others can rely on. And this understanding lays a great foundation for how we view this commandment. It’s not just telling us “don’t lie".” It’s calling us to be trustworthy people, people whose words can be relied on, people who reflect God’s on faithfulness in how we speak and act.
The Context of the Ninth Commandment
Let’s dive a little deeper into the historical and cultural context of this commandment. In the ancient Near East, and particularly in Israel, the legal system operated very differently from our modern courts today. There was no DNA evidence, no video surveillance watching every single step you take, no forensic science. Justice hinged almost entirely on witness testimony. Think about how vulnerable that made the system. In a world where witnesses were everything, false testimony wasn’t just perjury like we would call it today. It was so much more than just, “Oops! You lied on the witness stand. Here’s a little bit of jail time for that.” No, it was an assault on justice itself. This is partly why God established such specific requirements for testimony in Israel’s legal system. Look at Deuteronomy 19:15 with me:
“A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.”
This was a safeguard against false testimony. God knew how easily one person could lie, so what did He do? He required multiple witnesses. But He didn’t stop there - look at what follows in verses 16-19:
“If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.”
This is pretty remarkable for a few reasons:
The Severity of the Punishment: God institutes what legal scholars call lex talionis - the law of retaliation. Whatever punishment the false witness intended for the innocent person would fall on their own head. If the falsely accused someone of a capital crime, they would face execution for lying about it. If they falsely accused someone of theft, they would face the penalties for theft.
The Divine Connection: Notice where the parties appear - “before the LORD.” False witness wasn’t just seen as a crime against the person being accused. It was a crime against truth. It was a crime against God Himself. The courtroom wasn’t just a place of human justice; it was a sacred space where God’s truth was to be upheld.
The Community Impact: The verses say “So you shall purge the evil from your midst.” False witness wasn’t just seen as just an individual sin, either. It was viewed as a cancer that needed to be cut out of the community before it could spread.
Here’s a Biblical example of how this played out. In the story of Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kings 21), we see the devastating consequences of false witness.
First, let’s set the stage with the key players. King Ahab ruled over the northern kingdom of Israel. To give some background, Israel and Judah were once a united kingdom under King David (2 Samuel 5:1-5). But after David’s grandson Rehoboam became king, the kingdom split—Israel to the north and Judah to the south (1 Kings 12:16-20). Ahab was a later king of Israel, known for his wealth and power, but also for his moral compromises (1 Kings 16:30-33). Next, we have Naboth, an ordinary Israelite who owned a vineyard passed down through his family. This vineyard held deep meaning for Naboth, as it was his ancestral inheritance (1 Kings 21:3). In Israelite culture, land inheritance was highly valued and traditionally kept within the family as part of God’s promise to Israel (Numbers 36:7). The final key player is Queen Jezebel, Ahab’s wife. Jezebel came from the neighboring kingdom of Sidon and worshiped the Canaanite gods Baal and Asherah (1 Kings 16:31-32). Her devotion to these gods, along with her support of hundreds of their prophets (1 Kings 18:19), often clashed with Israel’s worship of Yahweh. She even ordered the killing of Yahweh’s prophets, which led many, like Obadiah, to hide them in fear (1 Kings 18:4). Known for her ruthless nature, Jezebel’s influence on Ahab contributed to some of his moral compromises and Israel’s religious conflict during their reign.
Now, back to the story.
King Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard, which was located near his palace in Jezreel. Seeing its value, Ahab approached Naboth with an offer to buy the vineyard or exchange it for a better one. However, Naboth wasn’t interested in that, whatsoever, and refused, explaining that the vineyard was his ancestral inheritance, something that was sacred and meant to stay within his family (1 Kings 21:2-3). According to Israelite law, land was considered a gift from God, and selling inherited land was discouraged (Leviticus 25:23-28). Frustrated and upset by Naboth’s refusal to sell or trade the vineyard, Ahab returned back to his palace and sulked, refusing to even eat (a temper tantrum that would rival the likes of any toddler). When Jezebel saw him in this state, she talked to him, questioned him, and Ahab told her about Naboth’s refusal to sell the vineyard (1 Kings 21:4-6). So Jezebel, who was used to absolute royal power in her homeland of Sidon, dismissed Ahab’s concerns and assured him that she would get the vineyard for him.
Takin matters into her own hands, Jezebel devised a scheme. She wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and leaders in Naboth’s city. In these letters, Jezebel ordered them to proclaim a fast, as if something terrible had happened, and to seat Naboth in a place of honor among the people. Then, she instructed them to arrange for two “worthless men” (false witnesses) to accuse Naboth of blaspheming both God and the king - which was a crime that was punishable by death under Israelite law (1 Kings 21:8-10).
The elders and nobles followed Jezebel’s orders exactly.
The declared a fast, seated Naboth in a prominent place, and brought in two false witnesses who accused him of cursing both God and the king. With these accusations, Naboth was condemned and stoned to death outside the city (1 Kings 21:11-13). After his execution, Jezebel told Ahab to take possession of the vineyard, since Naboth was no longer alive to claim it. Ahab seized the opportunity and took possession of the vineyard (1 Kings 21:15-16).
But the story didn’t end there.
God sent the prophet Elijah to confront Ahab about his actions. Elijah delivered a message of judgment from God, condemning Ahab and Jezebel for their roles in Naboth’s death. He told Ahab that just as Naboth was killed unjustly, Ahab’s own bloodline would face destruction. Furthermore, Elijah prophesied that Jezebel would die in disgrace, with her body left unburied and eaten by dogs (1 Kings 21:17-24).
This story illustrates everything that’s wrong with false witness:
It was motived by greed and envy.
It used the forms of justice to perpetrate injustice.
It resulted in the death of an innocent man.
It corrupted the entire community.
It brought God’s judgment on those who were responsible.
But there’s another aspect of this commandment’s context that we need to understand as well. In ancient Israel, your reputation - your “name” - was everything. It was your legacy, your family’s future, you place in the community. When someone bore false witness against you, they weren’t just lying about you, they were attacking your very identity and your family’s future. This is why the Proverbs take slander and false witness so seriously, saying:
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold.”
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
The tongue - particularly in bearing witness - had the power to build up or destroy, to give life or bring death. This wasn't and isn’t a hyperbole. In a society built on relationships and reputation, false witness could destroy lives as surely as physical violence. But let's go even deeper. The Hebrew concept of witness wasn't limited to legal testimony. The word עֵד (ʿēḏ) was also used in a broader sense of bearing witness to truth itself. Israel as a nation was called to be God's witness to the world:
““You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor shall there be any after me.”
This gives us wonderful insight into why false witness was so serious. When God’s people bore false witness, they weren’t just lying - they were failing in their fundamental calling to be witnesses to God’s truth in the world.
The Heart of Truth
But Jesus, as He does with all the commandments, takes us beyond the external act and right to the heart of the matter. Remember how in the Sermon on the Mount, He showed us that murder begins with anger and adultery begins with lust? He does something similar with false witness by showing us that our words reveal our hearts. Let’s look at Matthew 12:33-37:
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
This is a pretty stunning passage that reveals several truths about truth-telling.
1. Words Reveal Reality of Our Hearts
Jesus uses the metaphor of a tree and its fruit. Just as you can tell what kind of tree it is by its fruit, you can tell what’s in someone’s heart by their words. If we consistently are bearing a false witness, it certainly reveals something deeply wrong in our hearts.
2. Words Are Connected to our Hearts
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” This phrase alone gives me pause. That’s a huge phrase, isn’t it? The Greek word here for “abundance” is περισσεύματος (perisseumatos) which means “that which fills and overflows.” It’s like a cup that’s so full that it spills over. Whatever fills our hearts will eventually come out in our words.
3. Eternal Significance
This teaching gets to the heart of why we bear false witness. Let me suggest several heart issues that lead to false witness - the first being fear. Often, we lie or bear false witness because we’re afraid. Afraid of consequences, rejection, looking bad, conflict, losing control, you name it. This is why one of the most common phrases people use when caught lying is, “I was afraid that…(fill in the blank).” The next heart issue is pride. Pride leads us into false witness in multiple ways: exaggerating our achievements, minimizing our faults, taking credit for others’ work, making ourselves look better than we are, or refusing to admit when we’re wrong. Next, envy. Envy can drive us to bear false witness through spreading rumors about others, diminishing others’ achievements, misrepresenting others’ motives, creating false narratives about others, or refusing to acknowledge someone else’s gifts and talents. Which can then lead to malice. Sometimes we bear false witness simply because we want to harm others. This can be in the form of deliberate character assassination, spreading harmful gossip, twisting someone’s words, intentionally misrepresenting situations.
In fact, James gives us insight into how serious this really is. In James 3:5-6, he writes:
“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.”
Notice the imagery here - fire. A small flame can destroy an entire forest. Likewise, false witness can destroy:
A person’s reputation
A family’s unity
A church’s harmony
A community’s trust
A lifetime of work
And here’s where it gets really challenging. Jesus calls Satan “the father of lies” in John 8:44. When we engage in falsehood, we’re aligning ourselves with the enemy’s nature rather than God’s. But when we speak truth in love, we reflect God’s character. This is why Paul, in Ephesians 4:15-16, connects truth-telling with love and growth in Christ, saying:
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
Notice that phrase, “speaking the truth in love,” (ἀληθεύοντες δὲ ἐν ἀγάπῃ - aletheuontes de en agape). Truth without love can be harsh and destructive. And love without truth can be enabling. But truth in love? That’s what’s transformative. That’s what builds up the body of Christ, cultures, societies, and the world.
But there’s hope. Just as Jesus showed us that the heart is the source of false witness, He also shows us that heart transformation is possible through Him. In John 8:31-32, He says:
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””
The word “abide” here in this verse is the Greek word “μείνητε” (meinete) which means to stay or dwell. It’s about making our home in Christ’s Word. As we do this, we experience a couple of things:
We know the truth - not just intellectually, but experientially
We are set free - from the fear, pride, envy, and malice that drives us to false witness.
Modern Forms of False Witness
As Jesus teaches us, the transformation in our hearts is essential to living in truth and avoiding the traps of bearing false witness. But what does that look like for us, today? So let’s get uncomfortably practical. Because in the age that we live, let’s call it the “digital age,” bearing false witness has taken on forms that Moses and the Israelites could never have imagined. Yet the underlying principles - and the damage to truth, trust, and community, remain the same.
Social Media Deception
Let’s start with perhaps the most pervasive modern form of false witness - social media. We live in an age where information can be shared globally in seconds. If used appropriately that’s a wonderful power that we have. But, to quote Uncle Ben from Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Let me give you a real-world example:
Imagine you see a post about a politician. It confirms everything you already believed about them. It’s outrageous they said or did that! It’s shocking! Your finger hovers over the share button. After all, people need to know about this, right? But wait - is it true? Do you know that it’s true? Bearing false witness with a single click is quite the risk. And the scope of this problem is staggering. Because studies show that false information spreads on social media six times faster than true information. Why? Because we tend to share what confirms our biases, what provokes emotional responses, what fits our preferred narratives - regardless of whether it’s true or not.
Professional Dishonesty
The workplace is another major arena for false witness. Because remember, bearing false witness isn’t just about lying, it’s about any false representation. Dishonesty can manifest in subtle by really impactful ways. Take resumes, for example: some people stretch the truth by inflating job titles, exaggerating responsibilities, making up accomplishments, covering up employment gaps, or misrepresenting their education. Then there’s how we communicate at work. Maybe we’ve seen (or been tempted ourselves) to take credit for someone else’s work, blame others when things go wrong, make excuses for missing deadlines, hide mistakes, or promise results we know we can’t actually deliver. Even performance reviews can get twisted. People sometimes give unfair evaluations, downplay someone else’s hard work, exaggerate issues, or pretend their personal opinions are objective facts. Sometimes, reviews even get used as a way to settle personal scores. These actions might seem harmless or easy to justify in the moment, but over time, they chip away at trust and create a toxic environment for everyone.
At a previous company I was with, the CEO had a habit of changing my reported hours on projects, increasing them to bill clients more. It wasn’t much, just a little bit here and there. Rounding up from time to time. Not a big deal right? Until my boss saw only the inflated hours and began reprimanding me for going over budget, unaware that my timesheets had been altered. To protect myself, I started scanning and saving copies of my original timesheets as proof of my actual hours. When I had enough evidence, I confronted the situation and made it clear that I would quit immediately if this manipulation wasn’t rectified. It was a tough stance to take, but it ultimately stopped the dishonest practice right in its place. This experience shows how professional dishonesty, even when hidden within company processes, can unfairly damage reputations and put employees in difficult situations—sometimes forcing them to stand up for the truth to protect their integrity.
Relational Deception
False witness is all too common in our personal relationships, often in ways that seem subtle but are ultimately destructive. Gossip and slander, for example, can involve spreading rumors without verifying the facts, adding extra details to stories, assuming others' motives, sharing only parts of the truth, or simply passing along hearsay. Then there are the so-called "white lies"—small falsehoods like making up excuses to avoid events, pretending to like things we don’t, offering insincere compliments, making promises we don’t intend to keep, or hiding our true feelings. Manipulation is another form, where partial truths are used to sway people, creating false impressions, pitting people against each other, selectively using information, or subtly misrepresenting situations. Each of these behaviors can harm trust and deepen divides in relationships, even when they’re disguised as minor or harmless actions.
The common thread in all these modern forms of false witness is that they're often more subtle than outright lies. They're about shaping perceptions, controlling narratives, and managing impressions. But they're no less serious in God's eyes than false testimony in a courtroom.
The Cost of False Witness
Okay, so let’s talk about consequences. Hard consequences. Real consequences. Eternal consequences. And let me be clear - when we talk about the cost of falsehood, we're not just talking about getting caught in a lie.
The Spiritual Cost
First comes the spiritual cost, and this one runs deeper than we often realize. When we engage in false witness, something inside us starts to break. Our conscience becomes calloused, our spiritual sensitivity dulls, and our relationship with God suffers. Consider the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. This husband and wife sold a piece of property and claimed to donate the full amount to the apostles, but secretly held back part of the money for themselves. Their lie wasn’t primarily about the money itself—they hadn’t stolen anything. Peter makes this clear when he says, “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal?” Their sin was in bearing false witness, giving a deceptive impression about their generosity to appear more pious than they were. The consequence was severe: both Ananias and Sapphira died as a result of their deception.
Why such a severe response? Because their false witness wasn't just about deceiving the community - Peter says they "lied to the Holy Spirit." Every time we bear false witness, we're not just lying to people; we're opposing the Spirit of Truth Himself.
The spiritual cost of false witness manifests in several ways. First, our fellowship with God suffers—we lose the joy of our salvation, prayer becomes difficult, Scripture feels distant, worship feels hollow, and our spiritual growth seems to stall. Our spiritual discernment is also damaged; whene become less sensitive to truth, our conscience grows dull, and we find it easier to justify other sins. As a result, we lose clarity in hearing God’s voice, and our spiritual vision can quickly become clouded. Finally, our witness is compromised; our testimony loses credibility, our influence and spiritual authority weaken, our ability to minister is diminished. Reflecting on years of ministry now, I’ve noticed that people living in patterns of deception rarely experience deep spiritual growth—the two are mutually exclusive. Why? Because God is truth, and we can’t walk closely with Him while walking in falsehood.
You can’t walk in truth while walking in deception.
The Relational Cost
The relational cost of false witness is significant. Once trust is broken, rebuilding it is incredibly challenging. When we discover someone has lied, it leads to feelings of hurt, betrayal, and doubt about everything else they’ve told us—this is what we impose on others when we bear false witness. The immediate damage is felt in broken trust, lost respect, compromised intimacy, guarded communication, and relationships that become more superficial. Over the long term, past interactions are questioned, future trust becomes difficult, relationships require constant verification, spontaneity and openness are lost, and healing demands significant time and effort. False witness also has ripple effects, impacting others around us: mutual friends may feel forced to take sides, community trust erodes, future relationships are approached with skepticism, and patterns of suspicion can develop. These relational impacts show that even seemingly small misrepresentations can create lasting harm to trust and connection.
The Community Cost
The cost of false witness extends beyond individuals to entire communities. When false witness becomes common, truth becomes relative, and facts feel optional, the very fabric of society starts to break down. The institutional damage is clear: trust in leadership erodes, social institutions weaken, civil discourse breaks down, justice systems falter, and community bonds fragment. Culturally, truth loses its value, cynicism grows, skepticism becomes the default, and social cohesion starts to crumble. We’ve certainly seen this in our own media - either side of political aisle. And the implications for the future are equally concerning: the next generation grows up distrustful, social capital diminishes, cooperation becomes harder, progress stalls, and society becomes increasingly polarized.
This is why the ancient Israelite law took false witness so seriously—they understood that a society cannot function without trust, and trust cannot thrive where false witness is allowed to take root.
The Exception that Proves the Rule
So now we need to address one of the most challenging aspects of this commandment: are there ever situations where bearing false witness might be justified? This isn’t a theoretical question. Throughout history, people have faced situations where telling the truth could lead to horrible consequences. Let’s look at some biblical examples:
The Hebrew Midwives (Exodus 1:15-21): When Pharaoh commanded them to kill Hebrew baby boys, they lied about why they weren’t doing it. And remarkably, the Bible tells us “God dealt well with the midwives.”
Rahab (Joshua 2:1-7): She lied to protect the Israelite spies, and she’s later commended for her faith in Hebrews 11:31.
David and Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21:1-9): David lied to the priest to protect himself from Saul, though the consequences of this deception prove to be tragic.
Craig S. Keener, in his article “Is Lying Ever Right?”, makes an observation about these cases. He says:
“Very rarely, but in the present passage the Hebrew midwives lied to protect their lives, and God blessed their ruse designed to protect the Hebrew babies...
...These examples do not justify falsehood and dishonesty in our basic, everyday dealings with others.”
So what principles can we draw from these examples?
Principle 1: Life Preservation
In every single biblical example where deception seems to be approved, it’s always in the context of preserving innocent life from unjust violence. The midwives were preventing infanticide. Rahab was protecting spies from death. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that preserving life takes precedence over other considerations.
Principle 2: Resistance to Evil
These cases often involve resisting systemic evil or tyranny. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer argued during the Nazi regime, telling the truth to those who would use it for evil purposes might itself be a form of evil. He wrote:
“The truth is that which serves life.”
Principle 3: Limited Scope
Notice, also, that these exceptions are extremely limited.
Never for personal gain
Never to avoid consequences of our actions
Never to enhance our reputation
Never to harm others
Never as a general practice
Principle 4: Greater Truth
In each case, the deception served a greater truth. The midwives’ lie served the truth that human life is sacred. Rahab’s deception served the truth that God’s purposes should be advanced.
The ten Boom Family
During World War II, the ten Boom family in Holland hid Jews from the Nazis. When asked if they were harboring Jews, they had to decide: tell the truth and ensure death for innocent people, or deceive and preserve life? Corrie ten Boom later wrote about her sister Betsie’s struggle with this. “Could it be right to lie?” Betsie wondered. They concluded that hiding the truth from those who would use it for evil was actually serving the cause of truth in a deeper way.
But here’s what’s crucial to understand - these rare exceptions actually prove the rule. The fact that we have to work so hard to justify deception in extreme circumstances shows how strong the general prohibition against false witness actually is.
Think of it like this: The fact that we might justify speeding to get someone to the hospital during a medical emergency doesn’t mean the speed limit isn’t important. In fact, it proves how serious we take it - we only break it in genuine emergencies (right?). Moreover, these exceptions come with their own moral weight as well. Even when deception might be justified, it still carries a cost with it:
To our conscience
To our own sense of integrity
To our relationship with truth
To our witness to others
This is why we must be extremely careful about claiming exceptions. If we’re too quick to justify deception, we risk
Compromising our commitment to truth
Damaging our character
Weakening our witness
Contributing to moral relativism
Remember, deception is fundamentally aligned with Satan’s nature, not God’s. Even when it might be justified in extreme circumstances, it should never be our comfortable default.
The Gospel and Truth
Now let’s turn specifically to the gospel. Like all of the commandments we’ve studied so far in this series, this one ultimately points us to our need for Christ and finds its fulfillment in Him.
The Problem: Our Natural State
First, we need to acknowledge an uncomfortable truth: we are all, by nature, breakers of this commandment. As the Psalmist declares:
"The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies." (Psalm 58:3)
And again in Psalm 116:11:
"I said in my alarm, 'All mankind are liars.'"
This isn't just about occasional dishonesty. It's about a fundamental orientation away from truth. Since the Garden of Eden, when Satan asked "Did God really say...?", humanity has been in a complicated relationship with truth.
Christ as Truth Incarnate
But into this world of deception and falsehood, Jesus came as the embodiment of truth. John 1:14 tells us:
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Notice the pairing - grace and truth. Not truth alone, which could be harsh and condemning, but truth wrapped in grace. Jesus isn't just someone who spoke truth; He is truth incarnate. He declared:
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
This is revolutionary. Truth isn't just a concept or a set of facts - it's a Person. And our relationship with truth is fundamentally about our relationship with Jesus.
The Cross; Truth’s Triumph Over Lies
The crucifixion of Jesus represents the ultimate collision between truth and falsehood. Consider what happened:
False witnesses were brought against Him (Matthew 26:59-61)
Truth was dismissed as irrelevant (John 18:38)
The Truth was condemned by lies
The Author of Life was sentenced to death
But in this seeming defeat, truth triumphed. Here's how:
1. Exposure of Falsehood The cross exposed the lies we tell:
The lie that we are righteous on our own
The lie that we can save ourselves
The lie that we don't need God
The lie that we are in control
2. Demonstration of Truth The cross demonstrated God's truth about:
The seriousness of sin
The depth of His love
The cost of redemption
The way of salvation
3. Victory Through Seeming Defeat What looked like truth's defeat was actually its greatest triumph:
Evil was exposed
Death was defeated
Sin was conquered
Truth prevailed
The Spirit of Truth
But the gospel doesn't just show us truth - it gives us the power to live in truth. Jesus promised:
"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13)
This is crucial because we can't become people of truth through mere willpower. We need the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. This transformation takes place in several ways. First, there’s the conviction of truth: the Spirit shows us our sin, reveals God’s truth, guides our conscience, illuminates Scripture, and leads us to repentance. Then comes the power for truth, as the Spirit equips us with courage to speak honestly, wisdom to discern when and how to speak, strength to resist deception, grace to admit when we’re wrong, and love to communicate truth graciously. Finally, through the Spirit’s work, we begin to develop the fruit of truth—integrity in our speech, authenticity in relationships, honesty in our dealings, truthfulness in our witness, and faithfulness in our testimony.
Grace and Restoration
The gospel shows us how to deal with our failures to keep this commandment. When we have borne false witness—and we all have—the gospel offers a path to restoration. It begins with confession, as we’re reminded that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Confession is followed by repentance, which means more than feeling sorry; it’s an intentional turning from falsehood to truth. Then there is restitution, making right, where possible, the damage our false witness has caused. Finally, renewal takes place as we are transformed into people who increasingly reflect Christ’s truthfulness.
Living as People of Truth
So how do we live this out? How do we become people of truth in a “post-truth” world? Here’s some steps I put together for us.
Guard Your Heart
False witness starts in the heart, as Jesus emphasized when He said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." This means our first step must be a careful examination of our hearts. To guard your heart, consider practicing daily self-examination by asking questions like: Where am I tempted to shade the truth? What fears drive me toward deception? Do I feel pressure to misrepresent reality? Am I holding onto any patterns of dishonesty, and which relationships need more honesty? Regular prayer is another way to guard the heart; take David’s words from Psalm 139:23-24 as a guide: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Additionally, meditating on Scripture—particularly passages about God’s truthfulness, integrity, the consequences of deception, the power of honest speech, and the freedom that truth brings—can reinforce a truthful heart.
Practice Truth in Small Things
Big lies rarely happen suddenly; they’re usually the outcome of small, daily compromises. Developing a habit of truthfulness starts with small, daily choices. In conversations, aim to be accurate, avoid exaggeration, give proper credit, admit when you don’t know something, and correct any misstatements. In relationships, truth-telling involves keeping commitments, being on time, following through on promises, being honest about your feelings, and admitting mistakes. In the workplace, practicing truthfulness means keeping accurate records, reporting time honestly, giving credit where due, being truthful in evaluations, and maintaining clear documentation. Each of these small actions reinforces a habit of integrity that builds up over time.
Develop Truth-Telling Habits
For lasting change, developing specific truth-telling habits is essential. One effective habit is the Pause Habit: before speaking or sharing, take a moment to ask yourself, “Is this true? Is it verified? Is it necessary? Is it helpful? Is it kind?” The Verification Habit also helps with truthfulness, especially when dealing with information. This means checking sources, verifying claims, seeking multiple perspectives, considering context, and confirming facts before sharing. Finally, there’s the Correction Habit for when we speak falsely—admitting it quickly, correcting it clearly, apologizing sincerely, making restitution if necessary, and learning from the mistake. These habits gradually reinforce a lifestyle grounded in truth.
Build Accountability
Growing in truthfulness often requires accountability from others. One way to build this is by finding “truth partners”—honest friends who can offer constructive criticism, provide feedback, listen to struggles, and celebrate progress. Additionally, creating structures for accountability is helpful, like regular check-ins with mentors, maintaining transparency in key relationships, having clear communication channels, and establishing systems for verification and correction. With accountability, we have a support system that helps us stay committed to truthfulness.
Speak Truth in Love
Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:15 to “speak the truth in love” offer a model for balancing honesty with grace. This means being honest but kind, direct yet gentle, clear while compassionate, and constructive in our truthfulness. When speaking the truth, consider the timing and method, choosing the right moment, the best setting, the appropriate medium, and being mindful of the recipient’s state and the potential impact of your words. Speaking truth in love ensures that our honesty is not only truthful but also caring and considerate.
Protect Others’ Reputations
Living truthfully also means safeguarding the truth about others. This involves stopping gossip, refusing to participate, challenging false statements, defending those who are absent, redirecting negative conversations, and speaking well of others. Protecting others' reputations also means actively promoting truth—sharing accurate information, correcting misconceptions, highlighting real achievements, giving credit where due, and supporting honest communication. By valuing others’ reputations, we contribute to a culture of respect and integrity.
Use Social Media Wisely
In the digital age, truthfulness extends to our online presence. Before posting on social media, ask yourself: Is this verified? Am I sure it’s true? What’s my motivation? How might this affect others? Does this post promote truth? Regular practices on social media can also reinforce integrity, like fact-checking before sharing, using reliable sources, promptly correcting mistakes, being transparent about edits, and thinking carefully before commenting. Using social media wisely helps ensure that we’re not only upholding truth but also contributing positively in online communities.
The Pursuit is Worth It
At the end of the day, being people of truth isn’t easy. It’s really not. We live in a world where little white lies often seem like the path of least resistance, don’t we? Where bending the truth just a bit might make life more comfortable. Being truthful takes guts. It takes staying alert to those moments when we’re tempted to shade things just a little. And it means regularly checking our hearts, asking ourselves hard questions about our motives and our words.
But here’s the thing - we’re not in it alone. Because we can’t be. This isn’t about just gritting our teeth and trying harder to be honest. We need God’s help. That’s the point of all of these Ten Commandments. We need God’s help. We need His Spirit to shine a light in our hearts, to nudge us when we’re drifting from truth, and to give us strength when telling the truth might cost us something.
Is it worth it? Absolutely.
First, when we choose to be people of truth, we’re actually reflecting who God is. God isn’t just truthful - He is truth. As His children, we get to show the world what that looks like in our every day lives.
Second, being truthful builds the kind of trust in relationships that you just can’t get any other way. When people know they can bank on your word, it changes everything. Your relationships become stronger, deeper, more real. They can weather storms better because there’s a foundation of trust.
Third, living truthfully brings an amazing kind of freedom. Living with lies is exhausting. Always remembering what you told to whom, always worried about being found out. No thanks. Not for me. But truth? Truth lets you breathe. It lets you be real. No more hiding, no more pretending, no more fear of being exposed.
Plus, when we live truthfully, we’re actually helping build God’s kingdom. Every time we choose truth over lies, every time we speak the truth in love, every time we humbly admit when we’re wrong - we’re showing people what God is like. In a world that’s desperate for something real, for something they can count on, our commitment to truth speaks volumes.
So here’s our invitation from God - to step out of the exhausting game of half-truths and deception, and into the freedom of living in truth. To let His Spirit shape us into people whose words can be trusted, whose lives ring true. This isn’t just about being good people - it’s about showing the world who God is.