Re:Verse passage –Exodus 20:16 (day two)
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Words matter. You may say that I am in the business of words. Each week I pore over texts that we will sing in the coming services. What do they say about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit? Are they calling us to action? Do I affirm the theology of these words. It is amazing how a turn of a phrase can compromise clear understanding of the Gospel. Words matter.
You may not pore over poetry, lyrics, or anthems like I do, but your source of verbal communication is the words you speak. You have the power to build up or tear down by what you say. To edify or rebuke. Bearing false witness speaks to us on how we use our words beyond telling the truth. We must not lie, that is not in dispute, but we must also find ways to affirm who Jesus is through the words we use. When talking to or about someone take a moment to reflect on how what you are about to say will resound in Jesus’ ears. Is it worth it? Generally, no.
Perhaps we should remember the old saying. “Preach the Gospel. When necessary, use words.”
One of your points reminded me of a favorite poetic excerpt, Aaron:
‘Tis not enough, your counsel still be true;
Blunt truths more mischief than nice falsehoods do;
Men must be taught as if you taught them not;
And things unknown proposed as things forgot.
Without good breeding, truth is disapprov’d;
That only makes superior sense belov’d.
Alexander Pope took a different tack on it, but the title of this week’s lesson is “Speaking the Truth in Love.” Speaking the truth is easy; it’s doing it in love that we often miss the mark.
As always, thanks for your thoughtful analysis.