Do You Solemnly Swear...

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

I read this as a general condemnation of lying.  I still think that is true but as I looked into the meaning and uses of “false” (8267) “witness” (5707) I found that there are at least two approaches to this problem.  The other word I found for this was usually translated “lie” or “liar” (3576).  It is a more basic, straightforward word and is wrong.  The term in this verse has more of an idea of lying in court or under oath.

Either way it is deception and violates the holiness that we are to live.  We cannot hide behind the legal backdoor and say we were not under oath or we had our fingers crossed.  That may be okay for a child of Hell but it is not acceptable for a follower of the Most High God.

So?  Basic honesty is to be a part of our character.  Don’t accept the excuses of our culture or make up your own.