The ninth commandment, found in Exodus 20 v 16 states
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
What is immediately interesting is that the command is set in the context of community. Don’t lie about your neighbor, rather than simply ‘Don’t lie’. Are we to believe that lying in other contexts is acceptable? Clearly not!!
There is a principle at work here. Isaiah 30 v 18
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Isaiah knew this fundamental truth about God. Any perversion or distortion of this is to undermine the very character of God.
It is impossible to lie without effecting someone else. Consider this for a moment.
For many telling lies becomes a way of life, simply a way to get out of trouble or prompt action in others. Lies fall into the more general category of unrighteousness, which also flies in the face of God’s revealed righteousness.
Lies are often spoken to hide our sins or mistakes, yet to mask one wrong with another is simply nonsensical.
The enemy is described in John 8 v 44 as ‘the father of lies’. To reject honestly is to embrace not only lies but the one from whom all lies proceed.
Solomon knew the great value of honesty.
A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.
Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
Paul helps us to apply all this into the context of life together.
speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Honesty and love go hand in hand. Together the Kingdom of God advances.