Justice and Truthfulness

Most of us learned from our parents the importance of telling the truth.

Early on I discovered my father would not tolerate lying. When I "fessed up" and told the truth about my wrongdoing, I found him strangely charitable; but whenever I lied I discovered this same man could be most uncharitable. Dad hated lying. He was not going to have it (especially from his son). Later I would learn that my dad and God shared a common view in regard to telling the truth.

In our courts of law the carriage or miscarriage of justice depends in large measure on the truthfulness of the witnesses. So a witness takes the stand under solemn oath "to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth." Perjury is the sin specifically condemned by the ninth commandment: "You shall not bear false witn4ss against your neighbor." Lying in court makes a mockery of justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity" (Proverbs 19:28). And again, "A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is a betrayer" (Proverbs 14:25).

In the administration of justice there must be truth and impartiality. "These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good. He who says to the wicked, 'You are innocent,' will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations; but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will be upon them" (Proverbs 24:23-25).

For judges, and juries, there is a solemn warning, "He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD" (Proverbs 17:15).

John Gibson

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