The Wrong Tool Is an Accident Waiting to Happen

(Proverbs 25:18 KJV)  A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

This is a curious statement to me.  It states the obvious that has been part of basic morality since the Ten Commandments were handed down:  Thou shalt not bear “false” (8267) {end} “witness” (5707). 

So the point must be the comparisons.  Three items are listed:  a “maul” (club NASB) (4650), a sword and an arrow.  All three of these are tools that have their place.  The club and arrow can be used as weapons or tools.  The sword can be used defensively or offensively.  They are not evil in themselves but in how they are used.

We are also evil or righteous, depending on how we are used.  Our words are evil or righteous depending on how they are used.  Our actions.... 

Witnessing can also have different meanings.  One is to lie about the neighbor.  The other would be to give him a false idea about Jesus by the way we live.

So?  Practice the obvious.  Speak truth.  Practice the less obvious.  Live truth.