In this era of moral decline, the sin of bearing false witness pervades every level of society, contributing to the rapid fall of our nation. Lying, once unthinkable, has become so commonplace that it is expected and accepted as a way of life. From individuals telling little white lies to deceitful practices in media, business, and politics, the betrayal of truth is rampant. High-pressure salesmen, marketing companies, and politicians promise much but deliver nothing, while ordinary citizens engage in dishonesty for personal gain or to hide their flaws. God clearly condemns lying, ranking a lying tongue and a false witness among the gravest offenses. In contrast, one who speaks truth from the heart, even to their own detriment, will dwell in God's presence. Consider the source of lying—satan the devil, who introduced deceit to cause confusion, division, and rebellion, aiming to destroy all that God builds. When we lie, even in small ways, we imitate his nature, often to gain an advantage or protect our pride, creating false impressions by shading or omitting the truth. As God's people, we must guard against this pervasive evil, striving to speak truth with one another to foster trust and unity. While we are not obligated to reveal all or answer every question, we must discern whether withholding information stems from a selfish desire to deceive. In a deceived and deceiving culture, it is challenging to imagine a time when only truth will prevail, yet as lights in this world, we represent that godly society. Therefore, we must prioritize truthfulness, repudiating the ways of satan and bearing the image of God before the world.

The ninth commandment, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor, safeguards our bond with God, for by upholding and speaking the truth, we align ourselves with Him. God is truth, and those who speak truth from the heart dwell with Him. Speaking truth also demonstrates love for our fellow man, while lies, whether blatant or subtle, breed separation and distrust. Truth, though sometimes painful initially, ultimately fosters unity and trust. Bearing false witness is defined as lying, whereas a faithful witness provides accurate testimony, recounting events and information as they occurred, not as they might benefit him. Such a person consistently speaks the complete truth. Under the Old Covenant, a false witness faced the same penalty intended for the accused, a measure that highlights God's disdain for lying, viewing it as an abomination. The father of liars is satan, who lies from the core of his character and influences this world with deception. In contrast, God cannot lie, as truth is fundamental to His nature. Denying that Jesus is the Christ is a form of lying, as is claiming to know Christ while disregarding His commandments. Professing love for God while harboring hatred for others also constitutes a lie, whether expressed through words or actions. The wrath of God falls upon those who suppress the truth, as the wicked do so to avoid admitting their wrongdoing, believing it easier to lie than to live God's way. Yet, in lying, they become enslaved to sin and to satan, the father of lies. The habit of lying emerges early in the wicked, from childhood, becoming deeply rooted unless overcome through repentance. Liars will not always be permitted to deceive, and a dire fate awaits them, as they will face final death and be excluded from the New Jerusalem. Lying yields penalties, poor health, death, corruption, and suffering. While a thief steals replaceable goods, a slanderer can irreparably damage self-esteem and reputation. A Christian's attitude must be to reject lies entirely, striving to eliminate all falsehood from their character as part of conversion, thus conforming to the image of Christ. In the future, upon Israel's repentance, they will bear the responsibility of purging deceit from their midst, inspired by the redeemed 144,000 who are without fault or deceit in their mouths. God will never allow liars into His Family or the New Jerusalem.

Brethren, it is a truth confirmed by God's Word that satan has used lies so effectively that mankind cannot discern between spiritual truths and falsehoods, hindering their ability to live by faith in God and His purpose. They are at the mercy of whatever they are told, unless they possess experience to distinguish truth from deception. Public lying, often termed as fake news, is rampant in media, driven by corrupted character and desires for fame and fortune, coupled with prejudicial opinions lacking a strong moral foundation. This deceit, originating in family settings and reinforced by liberal-progressivism in educational systems, shapes public opinion and influences how Americans vote, victimizing us through the god of this world's systems. A biblical example of such deceit is seen in the actions of Jezebel in I Kings 21:1-14, where she used false accusations, akin to fake news, to destroy the reputation of her neighbor Naboth. Through these lies, Naboth was unjustly accused, publicly stoned, and killed, allowing his property to be seized by her husband, King Ahab. This demonstrates that the practice of spreading falsehoods to ruin others is as ancient as the hills.

In the ongoing battle against the erosion of this nation's founding principles, a grave concern arises with the manipulation of truth through false witness, as seen in recent events. The confirmation hearings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh, now Justice Kavanaugh, revealed a disturbing trend where accusations without substantiation were wielded as weapons. Three women, Christine Blazey Ford, Deborah Ramirez, and Julie Swetnick, accused him of sexual assault from decades past, yet their claims lacked corroborating details or evidence. Ford could not recall critical specifics of the alleged incident, Ramirez expressed uncertainty about Kavanaugh's involvement, and Swetnick's accusations were unsupported by any witnesses. These accusations, driven by political figures, were presented with a demand for belief based solely on their gravity, disregarding the need for proof. This approach starkly contrasts with the sacred principle of American justice—innocent until proven guilty—which requires the accuser to bear the burden of proof. This principle, rooted in biblical justice, emphasizes the necessity of multiple truthful witnesses to establish a matter, as seen in various Scriptures. In biblical times, the integrity of witnesses was paramount, and false testimony bore severe consequences, including receiving the punishment intended for the accused if found guilty. The trial of Jesus Himself exemplified this, where false witnesses failed to establish a case under God's law, yet the principle was ignored. The Kavanaugh hearings flipped this foundational standard, placing the burden on the accused to prove innocence, a dangerous precedent that undermines the integrity of American jurisprudence. Despite his confirmation, the lack of evidence did not prevent widespread belief in his guilt among many, fueled by politically motivated accusations. This incident highlights a perilous shift, threatening the respect for justice and the principle of truth in our society.