The Sanctity of Justice and Truth Exodus 20:16 The Ten Commandments Part Nine "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

An Epidemic Problem Never before in our history has the level of trust been lower – In government – In business/financial matters – In legal affairs – In relationships/families Even our most-trusted institutions have come under the cloud of mistrust – Medical practitioners & institutions – “Faith-based” institutions and ministers

In “Postmodern” America truth is often seen as relative and situational rather than absolute We require “iron-clad” contracts and then retain highly-paid attorneys to break them “No-fault divorce” is rampant as are “pre- nuptual agreements” to protect our personal assets – Pioneered by the Bolsheviks after the Russian Revolution (1917) Prior to this marital conflicts were dealt with in the Church, synagogue, etc.

The Context of the Commandment Exodus 20:16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” – The immediate focus of the commandment is that people be treated justly at court – It also prohibits slandering a person in the community – Note that the Justice System at the time of the commandments was quite different than today’s – disputes were handled by the priests/elders – Note also that the need to define and enforce a just legal system was evident early in man’s history

Two Primary Issues Incorruptible Justice – The innocent must be protected – The guilty must be held accountable Uncompromising Truth – We are to always accurately represent the character of God in our world Speaking and living out the Truth – We are to uphold the Standard of Truth in every arena and in every aspect of life

“Give Me Justice!” In the Justice System of Israel there were three interlinked elements 1.The Law 2.The Judge(s) 3.The Witnesses God gave the Law as the perfect standard for men’s conduct Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The Judges of Israel varied – Sometimes they were priests or prophets – Sometimes they were the “elders” of a village or community – After the Conquest and before the Kings there were particular political and legal leaders called “Judges” – Eventually the King fulfilled this role – Deut. 1:16-17; Deut. 16:18 God levied special condemnation against corrupt judges – Deut. 16:19-20; Deut. 24:17 – 1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22-25

Deut. 16:19 "You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous. 20 "Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” Deut. 24:17 "You shall not pervert the justice due an alien or an orphan, nor take a widow's garment in pledge.”

About those Witnesses Truthful testimony is essential for a just trial – Prov. 19:28 A lying witness makes fun of the court system, and criminals think crime is really delicious. [CEV] Just trials are essential for righteousness to prevail in any nation – Prov. 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people. False testimony is a barrier between man and God – Psalm 15

Psalm 15:1 A Psalm of David. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? 2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. 3 He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

False testimony is a violation of the rights of the falsely accused – Prov. 11:9 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered. – Prov. 25:18 The Law clarifies what a false witness includes – Lying in court – Slander – Lev. 19:16 – Spreading rumors – Exod. 23:1 – Withholding testimony – Lev. 5:1; Prov. 29:24

Evil causes of false testimony – Prejudice – Exod. 23:6 "You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute.” – Peer pressure – Exod. 23:2 – Hatred/animosity - Lev. 19:18 – Bribery – Exod. 23:8 Safeguards against false witnesses – More than one witness – Deut. 19:15-21 Matt. 18:15-17 – A false witness must suffer the same punishment as the unjustly convicted! Deut. 19:16-20

Deut. 19:15 "A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed. 16 "If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing, 17 then both the men who have the dispute shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days.

18 "The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, 19 then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you. 20 "The rest will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such an evil thing among you.

Unwavering Truth Lying exposes our natural heritage – Satan is the source of all lies - John 8:44, 55

John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies… 55 and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word.

Unwavering Truth Lying exposes our natural heritage – Satan is the source of all lies - John 8:44, 55 – Rom. 1:25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen Lying originates in our heart – Matt. 12:34 "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” – Matt. 15:18-19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.”

Speaking the Truth reveals our new nature – Psalm 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. – Eph 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, … 25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. We need an undivided heart! – Psalm 86:11 Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.

The Source of Truth Truth is a Person, not a set of facts – John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth… 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. – John 14:6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

The Source of Truth Truth will reveal our relationship with God – John 14:16 "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” – 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; – 1 John 2:4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

– The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth within us John 15:26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,” John 16:13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

God’s Word is the revelation of Truth – Psalm 119:142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth. – John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” The Character of Truth is essential for engaging in Spiritual Warfare – Eph. 6:14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Thinking and Living the Christ-life The first requirement for thinking like Christ: – Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. – 3 John 3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.