Ninth Commandment – No False Witness Against Neighbors

Ninth Commandment – No False Witness Against Neighbors

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

 

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GOD told Moses and the children of Israel not to bear false witness against their neighbors.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be addressing a mindset of gaining power by lying about someone.
• GOD specifically used “false witness” that counters the “true witness” that is needed.
• JESUS would face false witnesses who would be instrumental in HIS death.

 

The very thing GOD commanded against would be used to kill JESUS. False witness is an untruth about what a person saw or experienced. While it is a lie, it holds a different meaning to GOD. A false witness sentences an innocent person to judgement.

 

If I lied and said “I didn’t break that window” when I broke the window, I am the one who will face the consequence of my lie. BUT GOD was pointing out that a witness to something means there is a situation that needs a judge and the outcome needs witnesses who will provide a testimony that the judge can use for a sentence.

 

A false witness could cause an innocent person to bear judgment. Some powerful people have used false witnesses to bring down a leader so they themselves, can remain in power or gain it. GOD does not like false anything.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS command to not bear false witness?
• Have you lied about what you actually saw or who was actually involved?
• Have you asked yourself if GOD will gain anything by your false witness about something or someone?

Approved

Approved

2 Peter 1: ¹⁶ We have not depended on made-up stories in making known to you the mighty coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. With our own eyes we saw his greatness. ¹⁷ We were there when he was given honor and glory by God the Father, when the voice came to him from the Supreme Glory, saying, “This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased!” ¹⁸ We ourselves heard this voice coming from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.

 

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“How will I know the person I am meeting?” I asked. The response was a description of the person followed by “he will be looking for you.” When I arrived, I could see a few people who could possibly fit the description, but he saw me looking and waved, as if to say “It’s me!”

 

• I needed to know the right person I was meeting.
• I needed a clear description of the one I was looking for.
• I needed someone to tell me “this is the one you are looking for.”

 

Peter, in his first letter, praises the people who sought after JESUS without ever seeing HIM. But in this letter he describes JESUS as the ONE everyone is looking for. He goes into detail about seeing JESUS and hearing GOD’s approval. He may have said this because he knew about false prophets who claimed to be the Messiah.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS is the only being who GOD approved in front of many witnesses.
• GOD revealed JESUS to many people so there would not be any confusion as to who to follow.
• Witnesses were at the scene to help other people know who to follow.

 

Knowing who to follow is hard these days. I mean, anyone with a camera and a mouth can develop a relative truth to gain followers. This action requires no verification and feels good to the individual when the “like” or “subscribe” button is pressed. BUT GOD did something different with JESUS.

 

HE approved JESUS in front of many witnesses, letting everyone know who to follow. HE approved what JESUS did so false prophets would be revealed and the truth be shown. I am glad JESUS was revealed and I give HIM all the glory!

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer go to great lengths to explain being a witness to JESUS?
• Have you ever been an eyewitness to something that needed clarification?
• Will you increase your faith in JESUS by believing HE is the ONE you need to follow without any doubt today?

Don’t Worry, It’s Witnessed

Don’t Worry, It’s Witnessed

1 Timothy 3: ¹⁴ As I write this letter to you, I hope to come and see you soon. ¹⁵ But if I delay, this letter will let you know how we should conduct ourselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. ¹⁶ No one can deny how great is the secret of our religion:

 

He appeared in human form,
    was shown to be right by the Spirit,
    and was seen by angels.
He was preached among the nations,
    was believed in throughout the world,
    and was taken up to heaven.

 

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Running into the group, I felt I needed to explain what I saw. “We saw it too” were the words given to me as if to say, “Don’t worry about trying to convince us.”

 

• I thought I was going to have to prove what I saw.
• I got myself ready to try to explain something that people would not believe.
• I was relieved other people saw what I saw so there could be no denial of the truth.

 

Paul gives some assurance to Timothy that he would try his best to come there but if he couldn’t, this letter is all he needed. Paul also attempted to rest Timothy’s mind by letting him know that people, angels and GOD HIMSELF gave witness to JESUS who was taken up to heaven in front of many.

 

My Observations

• JESUS appeared as a human to many people.
• JESUS was announced as “right” by the SPIRIT.
• JESUS was and is preached  throughout the world so I do not have to worry about proving it.

 

There is no need to “prove” GOD or what JESUS did for humanity. I mean, three were enough witnesses who saw HIS miracles, spoke about what happened and watched HIM be taken up to heaven. HIS words were powerful and permeates the soul to this very day.

 

No one can deny that “love one another” is the cure for all ills. Unfortunately, humans have a difficult time doing so. I am glad JESUS took care of that too. HE forgave me for all my sins and raises me up with HIM.

 

Challenge

• Who do you think the writer is speaking about?
• Have you ever seen something that was amazing and hard to explain, yet had witnesses?
• Will you rest assured that JESUS died for your sins and is now alive, forgiving you for all your sins, past present and future, today?

Whoever

Whoever

Acts 10: ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. ⁴⁰ Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, ⁴¹ not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. ⁴² And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

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When the meeting ended early, I walked out with a growling stomach. I noticed a table full of delightful food just sitting out. “Go ahead, have some” said a person standing next to the table. There was too much food for the meeting attendants next door to the meeting I left, so whoever wanted food could have it.

• Many times I have been the benefactor of open generosity.
• Many times I have been the recipient of a gift I did not expect.
• Many times I have been the person in need and somehow got my need met.

Peter explains the many witnesses of JESUS, him included. He talks about JESUS being murdered by those who were supposed to be HIS followers. Peter also explains how JESUS was raised from the dead, shown to specific witnesses and gave the commandment to preach about HIM.

• GOD wants me to speak about JESUS to everyone.
• GOD wants me to give HIS gift away freely to anyone who will receive it.
• GOD wants me to tell people they can have forgiveness if they would just believe in JESUS.

JESUS proved HE was and is the Messiah. HE was the one the prophets wrote about and made a way for anyone who wants their sins forgiven to be saved. HE only wants belief in HIM as the Savior of mankind. This free gift is available to “whoever” believes in HIM. I am grateful JESUS did not exclude me.

• Are you in need of forgiveness?
• Have you lost your hope?
• Will you believe that JESUS is GOD, became a human, was murdered and raised from the dead and is now alive ready to have a relationship with you, today?

Shared Recollections

Shared Recollections

Acts:1: The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, ² until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, ³ to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

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“Did you hear that?” one friend said to me. “Yes” I replied nervously as we kept going deeper into the house. Suddenly we heard “Boo!” and I jumped and ran out of the house. When I crossed the street, I looked back only to see pranksters laughing. My friend and I were dared to go into the “haunted house” which turned out to be an unlocked dilapidated abandoned house.

• I remember sharing this story with those friends.
• I remember sharing details of other situations we went through together.
• I remember being corrected because I had only some of the details while others had different pieces.

The writer begins the letter talking about JESUS. The recollection includes vital information that could be verified by others. It also mentions that many saw JESUS for forty days after HE was resurrected.

• JESUS says to me “Gather together” so when HE does amazing things, I can see it with others.
• JESUS says to me “Where two or more are gathered together in MY name, there I AM.”
• JESUS says to me “I chose you before the foundations of the world to be MY witness.”

Anyone can recall things by themselves, but this only brings glory to that one person. BUT GOD wants to show HIMSELF to many. HE wants at least two people to agree about what GOD is doing and will do. This way there is no room for manipulation.

GOD already does amazing things. HE does not need anyone making up wild stories about HIM to make themselves look good. HE wants me to seek the truth each day and share HIS blessings with others. I am grateful GOD gave “us” this day our daily bread.

• Do you feel tempted to be alone?
• Do you feel so ashamed that you want to be by yourself?
• Will you accept the calling to be with people so GOD can be glorified through all who are gathered in HIS name?

Not Alone

Not Alone

John 8: ¹³ The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”

¹⁴ Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. ¹⁶ And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. ¹⁷ It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true.¹⁸ I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

¹⁹ Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”

Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

²⁰ These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.

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Sitting in a room full of people, I felt alone. Everyone knew each other and no one knew me. I walked around for a while but that became tiresome. I decided to miss the evening festivities and dined in my room, alone.

• There were many times I felt alone.
• There were many times when I was around lots of people and still felt alone.
• There were many times when I had one viewpoint and the majority had another, so I felt alone.

JESUS was challenged by the church leaders stating “HE is bragging about HIMSELF and making up the story.” JESUS, being GOD, answered them back, letting them know how much they did not know about HIM. “You only see with the flesh and not the SPIRIT” JESUS implies. Then HE said “I AM not alone.”

• GOD wants me to live my life for HIS purpose.
• GOD wants me to stand firm even when it is not popular.
• GOD wants me to believe HE is with me and to help others do the same.

In the days of humans explaining away GOD, it seems quite illogical to believe in this higher being who controls everything. I mean there are explanations for human behavior, weather, volcano eruptions and why a building should remain standing. BUT GOD confounds those who think they are “wise.”

GOD laughs at those who think HE is not involved with everything and wants me to believe HE is. HE sends me to gather those who are in need of HIS love. HE lets me know I am not alone as HE sends me out with HIS purpose. I am grateful HE is with me always!

• Do you feel alone?
• Do you have a view of the love of GOD when no one around you speaks of HIM at all?
• Will you keep trusting in GOD and know HE loves you and is with you today?