WEBVTT

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 Good morning, everyone. It's a joy to be with you again to worship and to be able to preach

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 God's word to you this morning. Please turn with me to Exodus 20. We've been in the Ten

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 Commandments for a while in Exodus 20. We've been in the book of Exodus for a little while.

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 And we're going to take a little break from the book for Advent, Christmas,

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 but then we'll resume in the new year. We're in Exodus 20. We're in the Ninth Commandment

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 in verse 16. I'm going to read the prologue, verses 1 to 2, and then skip forward to 16.

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 But let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word.

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 Heavenly Father, your word is truth. Your word never returns void.

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 It always accomplishes its purpose.

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 So you sent your son, Jesus, the word of God, the incarnate word,

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 to accomplish your purposes here on earth.

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 It's because of him that we now know you, relate to you as we ought to.

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 And now we want to honor him

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 in the way we bear witness

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 to our neighbors,

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 to our Lord Jesus.

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 So please teach us

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 from your word

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 how we may be

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 faithful witnesses.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 If you would stand with me, if you're able,

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 I'm going to read Exodus 20, the prologue,

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 verses 1 to 2, and then skip forward to verse 16.

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 And God spoke all these words,

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 saying,

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 I am the Lord your God

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 who brought you out of the land of Egypt,

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 out of the house of slavery.

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 You shall not bear false witness

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 against your neighbor.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 Please be seated.

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 You may be familiar with the famous

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 children's rhyme that goes like this.

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 Sticks and stones may break my bones,

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 but words shall never hurt me.

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 Those are, you know, the words of a,

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 it's a well-intended rhyme,

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 an English rhyme,

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 teaching children not to be affected

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 by name-calling and verbal bullying

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 that often happens in schools.

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 But sadly,

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 it's only wishful thinking.

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 It's well-intended,

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 but it's wishful thinking

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 because the book of Proverbs

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 compares rash words to sword thrusts.

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 And bearing false witness,

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 it calls a war club

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 or a sword

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 or a sharp arrow.

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 He says that a perverse tongue

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 can break a person's spirit.

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 Proverbs 18, 21 says,

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 death and life

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 are in the power of a tongue.

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 James 3, 6 says,

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 the tongue is a fire,

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 a world of unrighteousness.

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 The tongue is set among our members,

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 staining the whole body,

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 setting on fire the entire course of life

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 and set on fire by hell.

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 The untamed tongue is destructive,

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 like a spark that sets a forest ablaze.

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 What we say can set on fire

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 our entire life

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 and stain our entire body

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 and leave us,

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 in the end,

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 to burn in the fires of hell.

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 Revelation 21, 8 confirms that.

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 It says,

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 all liars

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 will be in the lake

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 that burns with fire and sulfur,

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 which is the second death.

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 That means words

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 may break much more than bones.

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 This is why the ninth word

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 of the Decalogue is essential.

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 You shall not bear false witness

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 against your neighbor.

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 The ninth commandment teaches us

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 that we should love our neighbors

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 by bearing true witness

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 like Jesus,

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 our faithful and true witness.

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 So we're going to first talk about

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 true witness in the court of law.

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 And then we're going to talk about

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 true witness in the court of life.

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 And then we're going to talk about

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 true witness in the court of the Lord,

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 in the heavenly court.

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 The first and most obvious application

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 of the ninth commandment

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 is bearing true witness

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 in the court of law.

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 In the U.S.

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 and in many other countries,

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 witnesses in a court case

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 have to take an oath.

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 They say,

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 I do solemnly and sincerely

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 and truly declare

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 and affirm

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 that the evidence

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 I shall give

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 shall be the truth,

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 the whole truth,

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 and nothing but the truth.

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 That oath rules out

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 various ways people can

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 wheedle their way out

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 of telling the truth.

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 They must tell the plain,

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 unvarnished truth,

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 and they must tell

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 the whole truth.

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 Because a half-truth

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 told as if it were

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 the whole truth

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 is a whole lie.

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 And often,

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 more persuasive

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 than a whole lie.

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 And they must tell

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 nothing but the truth

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 because we can tell the truth

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 and yet couch it

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 in all kinds of irrelevant,

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 speculative,

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 and leading information

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 that will undermine

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 the very truth

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 that we're telling.

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 Satan is the first liar

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 and he's the father of lies.

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 And he lied to Adam and Eve

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 in Genesis 3-1

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 by saying,

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 did God actually say

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 you shall not eat

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 of any tree in the garden?

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 To which Eve replied,

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 no,

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 only the fruit of the tree

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 that is in the midst

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 of the garden.

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 Satan knew well

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 what Eve's answer would be.

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 Satan knew the right answer.

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 He knew that only

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 one particular tree,

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 the tree of knowledge

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 of good and evil

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 in the middle of the garden

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 was forbidden.

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 But by framing the question

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 this way,

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 did God actually say

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 you shall not eat

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 of any tree in the garden?

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 He had already slandered

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 God's character.

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 He had already sown

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 seeds of doubt

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 in Eve's mind.

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 Suspicion.

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 He did not tell

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 nothing but the truth.

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 He told the truth

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 and some other misleading

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 things as well.

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 Also in Genesis 3-4-5,

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 the serpent tempted Eve

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 to eat the forbidden fruit

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 saying,

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 you will not surely die

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 for God knows

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 that when you eat of it

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 your eyes will be opened

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 and you will be like God

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 knowing good and evil.

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 This is a half-truth

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 because it was true.

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 Adam and Eve

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 took of the fruit

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 and ate it

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 and their eyes were opened.

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 They knew good and evil

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 like God does.

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 But he also lied

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 because he said

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 you will not die.

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 And they will die.

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 They did die.

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 A half-truth

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 sold as a whole truth.

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 And this first lie

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 had deadly consequences.

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 It literally introduced

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 death to humanity,

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 alienated them from God

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 and it put the tree of life

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 in the middle of the garden

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 out of reach

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 because it can only be found

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 in communion with God.

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 So much rides on bearing

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 true witness

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 in the court of law.

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 In 900 BC

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 in what is now

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 modern day Israel

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 in Israel

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 there was a man

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 who owned a vineyard.

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 Unfortunately for this man

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 his vineyard was coveted

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 by the then king

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 of his country.

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 And the king

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 at first tried to do

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 the right thing

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 and he went to this man

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 and offered to buy

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 the vineyard at full price

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 and he'd like to turn it

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 into his vegetable garden

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 because his palace

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 is right next to it.

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 But the man

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 not out of spite

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 but out of principle

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 because it was

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 his ancestral land

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 passed down

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 from generation

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 after generation

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 after generation

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 politely declined

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 saying I cannot

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 sell this vineyard to you.

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 And so this king

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 was sullen

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 and like a child

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 like a spoiled brat

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 that's been refused

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 something for the first time

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 in his life

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 he stormed home

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 and was angry

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 and refused to eat.

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 And then his wicked wife

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 was like a doting mother

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 that indulges

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 her child.

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 She said to him

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 aren't you the king

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 of Israel?

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 Stop being distressed

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 over something

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 so trivial

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 and leave the matter

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 to me.

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 I will make sure

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 that this vineyard

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 is in your hands

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 soon enough.

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 So what does she do?

00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:09.420
 She uses the king's authority

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 to declare a religious

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 community gathering

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 and then she appoints

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 in the king's name

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 this man who owns

00:09:16.300 --> 00:09:16.660
 the vineyard

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 to preside over that meeting

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 and while the man

00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:20.679
 is presiding over that meeting

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 she has secretly

00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:23.759
 probably paid off

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 or incited

00:09:25.079 --> 00:09:26.379
 two false witnesses

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 to rise up

00:09:27.199 --> 00:09:27.860
 against him

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 and accuse him

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 saying you blasphemed

00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:32.860
 against God.

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 You cursed God

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 and the king.

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 And as was the custom

00:09:36.100 --> 00:09:36.600
 at the time

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 a capital crime

00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:38.339
 can be established

00:09:38.339 --> 00:09:38.919
 on the testimony

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 of two or three witnesses

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 and this man

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 innocent man

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 was dragged out

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 and stoned to death

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 that very day.

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 And the king afterward

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 greedily claimed

00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:50.379
 this prize.

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 It's really

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 shocking

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 that Jezebel

00:09:56.039 --> 00:09:58.019
 Ahab's wife

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 said

00:09:58.419 --> 00:09:59.759
 aren't you the king

00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:00.159
 of Israel?

00:10:00.680 --> 00:10:02.019
 Stop being distressed

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 over something

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 so trivial.

00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:07.960
 Her false witnesses

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 killed

00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:09.840
 Naboth.

00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:11.919
 Trivial.

00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:12.360
 Right.

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 This is the account

00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:18.060
 found in 1 Kings 21.

00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:20.320
 And we're not

00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:21.360
 exempt from this problem

00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:22.220
 in our day and age.

00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:23.940
 Innocence Project

00:10:23.940 --> 00:10:24.800
 is an organization

00:10:24.800 --> 00:10:26.519
 dedicated to exonerating

00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:27.639
 wrongfully convicted

00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:28.159
 individuals

00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:29.879
 and they have recorded

00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:32.220
 241 legal victories

00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:32.759
 to date

00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:35.399
 and 194 of their clients

00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:36.279
 were exonerated

00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:37.399
 by DNA evidence.

00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:38.879
 And if you add up

00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:39.779
 the number of years

00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:40.879
 that these wrongfully

00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:41.800
 convicted individuals

00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:42.740
 spent in jail

00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:43.459
 it adds up to

00:10:43.459 --> 00:10:46.259
 3,754 years.

00:10:47.059 --> 00:10:48.579
 That's not just a number.

00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:50.679
 That's real people

00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:51.859
 real lives

00:10:51.859 --> 00:10:52.799
 ruined.

00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:55.639
 Irreversibly

00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:56.439
 irreversibly

00:10:56.439 --> 00:10:56.859
 affected

00:10:56.859 --> 00:10:58.139
 by wrongful conviction

00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:58.899
 which

00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:00.079
 sometimes

00:11:00.079 --> 00:11:01.279
 was abetted

00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:02.659
 by false testimony.

00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:05.099
 Take the case

00:11:05.099 --> 00:11:06.099
 of Ellen Reasonover

00:11:06.099 --> 00:11:06.679
 when

00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:07.919
 19 year old

00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:08.679
 James Buckley

00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:09.620
 was shot and killed

00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:10.320
 at a gas station

00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:10.799
 in Missouri

00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:11.600
 in 1983.

00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:14.500
 Ellen Reasonover

00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:15.299
 who happened

00:11:15.299 --> 00:11:15.740
 to witness

00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:16.299
 what happened

00:11:16.299 --> 00:11:16.840
 in the aftermath

00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:17.600
 of the event

00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:18.779
 did the right thing

00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.820
 by going to the police

00:11:19.820 --> 00:11:20.580
 with information

00:11:20.580 --> 00:11:21.740
 connecting two men

00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:22.519
 to the crime.

00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:23.720
 But instead of

00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:24.779
 finding the real culprit

00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:25.560
 the authorities

00:11:25.560 --> 00:11:26.360
 considered her

00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:27.560
 their prime suspect

00:11:27.560 --> 00:11:29.120
 despite the fact

00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:29.960
 that as the

00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:30.659
 August 4th

00:11:30.659 --> 00:11:31.279
 1999

00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:32.120
 Washington Post

00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:32.500
 article

00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:33.919
 says

00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:35.019
 no witnesses

00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:36.000
 placed her

00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:36.560
 at the scene

00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:37.079
 of the murder

00:11:37.079 --> 00:11:38.199
 police

00:11:38.199 --> 00:11:39.479
 found no fingerprints

00:11:39.479 --> 00:11:40.839
 and no murder weapon

00:11:40.839 --> 00:11:41.919
 prosecutors

00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:42.819
 said her motive

00:11:42.819 --> 00:11:43.500
 was robbery

00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:44.279
 but no money

00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:44.759
 was taken

00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:45.919
 from the cash register

00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:47.379
 and about $3,000

00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:48.239
 was left

00:11:48.239 --> 00:11:49.699
 in an unlocked safe.

00:11:50.979 --> 00:11:52.279
 So how then

00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:52.979
 you might wonder

00:11:52.979 --> 00:11:53.719
 did the prosecution

00:11:53.719 --> 00:11:55.119
 convince the jury

00:11:55.119 --> 00:11:56.199
 that Reasonover

00:11:56.199 --> 00:11:56.879
 was guilty?

00:11:57.959 --> 00:11:59.059
 The article continues

00:11:59.059 --> 00:11:59.359
 quote

00:11:59.359 --> 00:12:00.539
 the jury relied

00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:02.099
 almost entirely

00:12:02.099 --> 00:12:03.500
 on the testimony

00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:04.739
 of two inmates

00:12:04.740 --> 00:12:06.220
 Rose Joliffe

00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:07.519
 and Mary Ellen Liner

00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:08.139
 both of whom

00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:08.759
 testified

00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.940
 that Reasonover

00:12:09.940 --> 00:12:11.580
 confessed to the murder

00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:12.539
 while in prison

00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:13.299
 with them

00:12:13.299 --> 00:12:14.500
 while waiting

00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.060
 for the trial

00:12:15.060 --> 00:12:15.899
 to happen.

00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:18.580
 But that was a lie.

00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:20.259
 She had never confessed

00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:21.299
 to the crime.

00:12:22.139 --> 00:12:22.940
 So her conviction

00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:24.139
 was largely based

00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:24.759
 on the testimony

00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:25.700
 of false witnesses

00:12:25.700 --> 00:12:27.480
 to prisoners

00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:28.399
 who had long

00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:29.259
 criminal records

00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:31.340
 history of drug addiction

00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:32.899
 and to people

00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:33.820
 who had been offered

00:12:33.820 --> 00:12:35.160
 a reduced sentence

00:12:35.160 --> 00:12:36.420
 or $1,000

00:12:36.420 --> 00:12:38.080
 for testifying

00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:38.980
 against Reasonover

00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:39.840
 by the prosecution

00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:41.060
 which by the way

00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:41.840
 was not told

00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:42.300
 to the jury.

00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:46.640
 She would have been

00:12:46.640 --> 00:12:47.620
 sentenced to death

00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:49.720
 if it went for one juror

00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:51.160
 who refused

00:12:51.160 --> 00:12:53.180
 to sentence her to death.

00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:54.660
 So she was spending

00:12:54.660 --> 00:12:56.879
 life in prison

00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:57.980
 without parole

00:12:57.980 --> 00:12:59.720
 and it was only

00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.840
 after 16 years

00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:01.980
 of serving prison time

00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:04.080
 that she was exonerated

00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:05.100
 of her wrongful conviction.

00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:07.300
 And she might still

00:13:07.300 --> 00:13:08.060
 be in prison today

00:13:08.060 --> 00:13:08.899
 if it weren't for the work

00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:10.139
 of Centurion Ministries,

00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:11.360
 the first ever

00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:12.360
 non-profit dedicated

00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:13.039
 to overturning

00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:13.920
 wrongful convictions

00:13:13.920 --> 00:13:14.800
 which was founded

00:13:14.800 --> 00:13:15.840
 by a Christian minister

00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:17.360
 named Jim McCloskey.

00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:19.399
 His organization

00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:20.500
 was able to dig up

00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:21.480
 a tape recording

00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:22.480
 produced from

00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:23.539
 by the prosecution

00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:25.000
 during Reasonover's

00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:25.639
 time in prison

00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:27.320
 in which she repeatedly

00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:29.899
 says that she did nothing.

00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:34.299
 According to

00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:35.279
 Innocence Project,

00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:36.799
 false jailhouse

00:13:36.799 --> 00:13:38.000
 informant testimony

00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:39.059
 plays a role

00:13:39.059 --> 00:13:40.539
 in nearly one in five

00:13:40.539 --> 00:13:42.319
 of the 367

00:13:42.319 --> 00:13:43.679
 DNA-based exoneration

00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:44.840
 cases that they examined.

00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:47.019
 That means nearly

00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:48.240
 20% of people

00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.759
 who are wrongfully convicted

00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:51.259
 at least from that

00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.000
 sample size

00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:53.340
 are wrongfully convicted

00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.000
 on the basis

00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:54.939
 of false testimony.

00:13:57.399 --> 00:13:58.659
 So the ninth word

00:13:58.659 --> 00:13:59.699
 of the Decalogue

00:13:59.699 --> 00:14:00.500
 is highly relevant

00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.100
 for us today

00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:02.120
 especially in the context

00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.439
 of ancient courts.

00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.120
 This was especially important

00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:05.819
 in ancient courts

00:14:05.819 --> 00:14:07.620
 where they could not

00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:08.399
 avail themselves

00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:10.240
 of forensic science

00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:11.519
 including fingerprint

00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.319
 examination,

00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.620
 DNA testing,

00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:15.179
 photo and video evidence.

00:14:16.219 --> 00:14:17.059
 In that context

00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:17.779
 the truthfulness

00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:18.459
 of witnesses

00:14:18.459 --> 00:14:20.559
 was absolutely vital.

00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:25.639
 That's why God

00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:27.079
 takes bearing false witness

00:14:27.079 --> 00:14:27.759
 so seriously

00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.599
 in Deuteronomy 19.19

00:14:29.599 --> 00:14:31.279
 it prescribes

00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.659
 the same punishment

00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:34.379
 that the false witness

00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.519
 wanted to bring

00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:36.939
 onto that innocent person

00:14:36.939 --> 00:14:37.819
 to be given

00:14:37.819 --> 00:14:38.959
 to the false witness.

00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:44.559
 Despite such severe

00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:45.399
 warnings and threats

00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.179
 we see that people

00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:46.759
 in the Bible

00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:48.039
 and in our times

00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:49.559
 again and again

00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:50.539
 bear false testimony.

00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:52.519
 There are many reasons

00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:53.939
 why someone might do that

00:14:53.939 --> 00:14:55.299
 in the court of law.

00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:57.339
 Exodus 23 1-8

00:14:57.339 --> 00:14:58.279
 gives us a helpful

00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:59.139
 summary of them.

00:14:59.639 --> 00:14:59.959
 It says

00:14:59.959 --> 00:15:01.620
 you shall not spread

00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:02.419
 a false report.

00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:04.099
 You shall not join hands

00:15:04.099 --> 00:15:05.000
 with the wicked man

00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:06.199
 to be a malicious witness.

00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.939
 You shall not fall in

00:15:07.939 --> 00:15:08.599
 with the many

00:15:08.599 --> 00:15:09.399
 to do evil.

00:15:09.839 --> 00:15:11.039
 Nor shall you bear witness

00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:11.779
 in a lawsuit

00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:13.179
 siding with the many

00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:15.079
 so as to pervert justice.

00:15:15.459 --> 00:15:16.959
 Nor shall you be partial

00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:18.139
 to a poor man

00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:18.800
 in his lawsuit.

00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.740
 You shall not pervert

00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.320
 the justice

00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:22.460
 due to your poor

00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:24.420
 in his lawsuit.

00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.740
 Keep far from

00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.580
 a false charge

00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:27.379
 and do not kill

00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:27.879
 the innocent

00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:28.519
 and righteous

00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.680
 for I will not

00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:30.460
 acquit the wicked.

00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:31.940
 And you shall take

00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:32.740
 no bribe

00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:33.639
 for a bribe

00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.980
 blinds the clear sighted

00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.580
 and subverts

00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:36.460
 the cause of those

00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.460
 who are in the right.

00:15:38.280 --> 00:15:38.879
 So it gives us

00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.400
 several reasons

00:15:39.400 --> 00:15:40.160
 why people bear

00:15:40.160 --> 00:15:40.800
 false testimony.

00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.240
 Some people

00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:43.100
 give false testimony

00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.920
 because they are

00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:45.100
 a malicious witness.

00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:47.440
 they have joined hands

00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:48.440
 with a wicked man.

00:15:49.540 --> 00:15:50.580
 So you're out

00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:51.320
 to get someone

00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:52.600
 maybe you have

00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.080
 a vendetta

00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:53.879
 against someone

00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.279
 and so you maliciously

00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:56.460
 give false testimony.

00:15:57.580 --> 00:15:58.340
 Or maybe you're

00:15:58.340 --> 00:15:58.940
 bearing witness

00:15:58.940 --> 00:16:00.159
 for a wicked man.

00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.060
 Maybe that wicked man

00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:01.700
 is your father

00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.240
 or son

00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:02.759
 or brother

00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.500
 or friend.

00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:05.700
 But God commends us

00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:07.399
 not to join hands

00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:08.060
 with such a man.

00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:10.279
 We also,

00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:10.680
 he says,

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.639
 must not side

00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:12.480
 with the many

00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.919
 so as to pervert justice.

00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:15.879
 Sometimes we bear

00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:16.500
 false witness

00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.840
 not out of maliciousness

00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:19.379
 but out of the fear

00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:19.799
 of man

00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:21.840
 in order to avoid

00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:23.279
 being on the wrong side

00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.240
 of popular opinion.

00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.939
 In order to side

00:16:26.939 --> 00:16:27.699
 with the many

00:16:27.699 --> 00:16:29.360
 and the spirit

00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.080
 of the times

00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:31.740
 because we don't want

00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.379
 to be criticized

00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.480
 or ostracized.

00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.399
 But he says,

00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.720
 we must not fall in

00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.299
 with the many

00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:38.120
 to do evil.

00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:40.080
 Still others

00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:41.080
 bear false witness

00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:41.920
 because they are

00:16:41.920 --> 00:16:42.400
 quote,

00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.020
 partial

00:16:43.020 --> 00:16:44.620
 to a poor man

00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:45.320
 in his lawsuit.

00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.440
 Some people

00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:48.480
 just like rooting

00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.420
 for the underdog.

00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:51.520
 But that preference

00:16:51.520 --> 00:16:52.480
 must not become

00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.480
 partiality

00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.379
 in the court of law.

00:16:55.400 --> 00:16:56.460
 With the ascendancy

00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:57.860
 of critical theory

00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:58.259
 nowadays

00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.780
 many people understand

00:16:59.780 --> 00:17:01.120
 social relationships

00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:02.180
 in terms of

00:17:02.180 --> 00:17:03.280
 hierarchy and power

00:17:03.280 --> 00:17:04.980
 through the lens

00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:05.960
 of the oppressor

00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.680
 and oppressed

00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.240
 framework.

00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:08.819
 For example,

00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:10.240
 men are the oppressors.

00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.700
 Women are the oppressed.

00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.579
 Whites are the oppressors.

00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:14.880
 Blacks are the oppressed.

00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.240
 Heterosexuals

00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.059
 are the oppressors.

00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.240
 And homosexuals

00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.180
 are the oppressed.

00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.440
 Cisgendered

00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.299
 are the oppressors.

00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.420
 Transgenders

00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:23.200
 are the oppressed.

00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:24.220
 The rich

00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.160
 are the oppressors.

00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:25.960
 The poor

00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.779
 are the oppressed.

00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:30.180
 As a result,

00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:31.579
 historically powerless

00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:33.120
 or marginalized groups

00:17:33.120 --> 00:17:34.200
 are automatically

00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:36.220
 given privileged status

00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:36.880
 due to their

00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:38.220
 lived experience

00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:38.799
 of oppression.

00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:40.460
 And their views

00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.079
 and perspectives

00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:41.960
 are privileged

00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:42.860
 over that

00:17:42.860 --> 00:17:43.720
 of the dominant group.

00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.620
 In this kind of environment

00:17:46.620 --> 00:17:47.680
 it's common for people

00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.700
 to be partial

00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:50.579
 to a poor man

00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.240
 in his lawsuit.

00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.799
 To be partial

00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:55.200
 to the oppressed class.

00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:57.720
 But we are never

00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.500
 to be partial

00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.319
 to a poor man

00:17:59.319 --> 00:17:59.700
 he says.

00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.480
 Why?

00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:03.779
 Because the poor

00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:04.539
 and powerless

00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:06.639
 still do wrong.

00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:08.379
 Because the poor

00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:09.059
 and the powerless

00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:10.220
 still sin.

00:18:11.879 --> 00:18:12.879
 And though extenuating

00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:13.639
 circumstances

00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:14.619
 might mitigate

00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.940
 they do not

00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:17.619
 negate our responsibility.

00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.460
 Of course

00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.519
 partiality often

00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.639
 goes the other way

00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:23.019
 as well.

00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:24.519
 That's why

00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:25.660
 it says in Exodus 23

00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.879
 same passage

00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:27.639
 you shall not

00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.660
 pervert the justice

00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:30.180
 due to your poor

00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:30.899
 in his lawsuit.

00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:33.420
 just because

00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:33.980
 a person

00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:34.640
 is poor

00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:36.220
 and powerless

00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.780
 does not mean

00:18:37.780 --> 00:18:38.200
 that people

00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:39.100
 can trample

00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:40.220
 on his or her rights.

00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:44.120
 Just because

00:18:44.120 --> 00:18:45.080
 they are

00:18:45.080 --> 00:18:45.860
 oppressed

00:18:45.860 --> 00:18:46.759
 or marginalized

00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.519
 or weak

00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.600
 or don't have

00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:49.000
 the money

00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.540
 to hire

00:18:49.540 --> 00:18:50.640
 the most expensive

00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.140
 lawyers

00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:52.120
 does not mean

00:18:52.120 --> 00:18:52.740
 that you can

00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.360
 deprive them

00:18:53.360 --> 00:18:53.980
 of justice.

00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.620
 Proverbs 22

00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:00.480
 22-23

00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:00.720
 says

00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.400
 do not rob

00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:01.860
 the poor

00:19:01.860 --> 00:19:02.480
 because he

00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.059
 is poor

00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:04.019
 or crush

00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.740
 the afflicted

00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.279
 at the gate

00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:06.420
 for the Lord

00:19:06.420 --> 00:19:07.220
 will plead

00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:08.079
 their cause

00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:08.620
 and rob

00:19:08.620 --> 00:19:09.140
 of life

00:19:09.140 --> 00:19:09.500
 those who

00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.120
 rob them.

00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:12.100
 The city gate

00:19:12.100 --> 00:19:12.519
 was where

00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.319
 legal proceedings

00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.259
 were carried out

00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.079
 in ancient Israel.

00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.480
 So this verse

00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.440
 specifically commands

00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:17.960
 God's people

00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:18.779
 not to crush

00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.579
 the afflicted

00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:20.039
 or rob

00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.420
 the poor

00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:21.140
 in court.

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.579
 The rich

00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:23.079
 and powerful

00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:23.600
 can use

00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:24.200
 their wealth

00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:24.819
 and influence

00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.440
 to sway

00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.259
 public opinion

00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.339
 but we

00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:27.940
 are not

00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.480
 to let them

00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.319
 deprive the poor

00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.240
 and powerless

00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.879
 of justice.

00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:32.179
 We must be

00:19:32.179 --> 00:19:32.740
 witnesses that

00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.599
 always testify

00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:34.639
 to the truth

00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.799
 and nothing

00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:36.419
 but the truth.

00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:38.519
 This is why

00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.240
 Exodus 23

00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.740
 continues

00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.240
 and you shall

00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.279
 take no bribe

00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.240
 for a bribe

00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:42.859
 blinds the

00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:43.539
 clear sighted

00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.259
 and subverts

00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.839
 the cause

00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:45.259
 of those

00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:45.659
 who are

00:19:45.659 --> 00:19:46.480
 in the right.

00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:47.819
 So here's

00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.399
 another reason

00:19:48.399 --> 00:19:49.259
 why some people

00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:49.960
 might give

00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.720
 false testimony

00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.439
 bribes

00:19:51.439 --> 00:19:53.019
 for the sake

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.839
 of selfish gain

00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:55.559
 but what good

00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:55.839
 is it

00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:56.199
 to gain

00:19:56.199 --> 00:19:56.579
 the whole

00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.099
 world

00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.059
 yet forfeit

00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:58.439
 his soul?

00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:01.319
 Christians

00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.159
 should be

00:20:02.159 --> 00:20:03.199
 unbribable.

00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.339
 By refusing

00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:06.220
 to accept

00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:06.740
 bribes

00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.599
 we declare

00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.240
 that we

00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:08.679
 love our

00:20:08.679 --> 00:20:09.039
 neighbors

00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.419
 more than

00:20:09.419 --> 00:20:09.699
 we love

00:20:09.699 --> 00:20:10.099
 ourselves.

00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.439
 We declare

00:20:11.439 --> 00:20:12.039
 that truth

00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:12.599
 matters

00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:14.000
 that justice

00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:14.559
 matters.

00:20:15.659 --> 00:20:16.339
 God cares

00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:17.039
 that the guilty

00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.720
 are condemned

00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.799
 and that the

00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.139
 innocent

00:20:19.139 --> 00:20:19.980
 are acquitted

00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:21.419
 so to that end

00:20:21.419 --> 00:20:21.980
 we must never

00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.459
 give false

00:20:22.459 --> 00:20:23.319
 testimony in court.

00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:25.599
 The corollary

00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.259
 to the command

00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.199
 not to bear

00:20:27.199 --> 00:20:27.740
 false witness

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.500
 is to bear

00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.339
 true witness

00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:29.980
 wherever we

00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.279
 can.

00:20:31.159 --> 00:20:31.839
 Leviticus 5

00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.220
 1 says

00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.679
 if anyone

00:20:32.679 --> 00:20:33.119
 sins

00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:33.519
 and that he

00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:33.959
 bears a

00:20:33.959 --> 00:20:34.359
 public

00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.000
 adoration

00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.779
 to testify

00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:36.699
 and though

00:20:36.699 --> 00:20:37.419
 he is a

00:20:37.419 --> 00:20:37.699
 witness

00:20:37.699 --> 00:20:38.240
 whether he

00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:38.740
 has seen

00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.139
 or come

00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:39.500
 to know

00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.000
 the matter

00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.699
 yet does

00:20:40.699 --> 00:20:41.559
 not speak

00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.179
 he shall

00:20:42.179 --> 00:20:43.099
 bear his

00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:43.799
 iniquity.

00:20:46.179 --> 00:20:47.019
 When you

00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:47.740
 are a witness

00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:48.639
 to something

00:20:48.639 --> 00:20:49.359
 and are

00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.119
 called upon

00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:50.819
 to testify

00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:52.740
 and your

00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.139
 testimony

00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:53.940
 can aid

00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:55.220
 in acquitting

00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.780
 the innocent

00:20:55.780 --> 00:20:56.480
 or condemning

00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:56.960
 the guilty

00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.280
 to not

00:20:58.280 --> 00:20:59.080
 bear true

00:20:59.080 --> 00:20:59.640
 witness

00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:00.300
 is sin.

00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:01.280
 It's a

00:21:01.280 --> 00:21:01.580
 violation

00:21:01.580 --> 00:21:01.960
 of the

00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.120
 ninth

00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:02.680
 commandment.

00:21:06.560 --> 00:21:07.060
 While

00:21:07.060 --> 00:21:07.580
 bearing true

00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:07.840
 witness

00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:08.160
 in the

00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:08.420
 court of

00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:08.700
 law

00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.100
 is the

00:21:09.100 --> 00:21:09.360
 immediate

00:21:09.360 --> 00:21:09.800
 context

00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:10.080
 of the

00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:10.280
 ninth

00:21:10.280 --> 00:21:10.880
 commandment

00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:11.460
 it also

00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:11.960
 teaches us

00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.220
 to bear

00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:12.520
 true

00:21:12.520 --> 00:21:12.920
 witness

00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.840
 in all

00:21:13.840 --> 00:21:14.360
 of life

00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:14.840
 in the

00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:15.180
 court of

00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:15.400
 life

00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:15.660
 you might

00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:15.920
 say.

00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:17.360
 And we

00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:17.759
 know that

00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.240
 it has a

00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:18.500
 general

00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.060
 application

00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.799
 from

00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.279
 Leviticus

00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:20.819
 19

00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.419
 1-18

00:21:21.419 --> 00:21:22.000
 which is

00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.720
 kind of

00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.319
 a summary

00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:24.440
 or an

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:25.039
 exposition

00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.679
 of the

00:21:25.679 --> 00:21:25.899
 ten

00:21:25.899 --> 00:21:26.279
 commandments.

00:21:26.899 --> 00:21:27.759
 It contains

00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.139
 all the

00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:28.319
 ten

00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:28.619
 commandments

00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.019
 Leviticus

00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.480
 19

00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.019
 and 20.

00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.519
 And this

00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:31.799
 is what

00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.059
 it has

00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:32.379
 to say

00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:32.799
 about the

00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.059
 ninth

00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.399
 commandment

00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:33.940
 specifically.

00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.119
 You shall

00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:35.599
 do no

00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.200
 injustice

00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:36.819
 in court.

00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:37.759
 You shall

00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.220
 not be

00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.639
 partial

00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:39.099
 to the

00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:39.399
 poor

00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.220
 or defer

00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.779
 to the

00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.139
 great

00:21:41.139 --> 00:21:41.940
 but in

00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.440
 righteousness

00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.059
 shall you

00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.460
 judge

00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.639
 your

00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:43.919
 neighbor.

00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.119
 You shall

00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:45.599
 not go

00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:46.139
 around as

00:21:46.139 --> 00:21:46.859
 a slanderer

00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.200
 among your

00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.740
 people and

00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.099
 you shall

00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.680
 not stand

00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.160
 up against

00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:49.660
 the life

00:21:49.660 --> 00:21:49.960
 of your

00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.220
 neighbor.

00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:51.099
 I am

00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:51.500
 the Lord.

00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:52.680
 You shall

00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.299
 not hate

00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:53.759
 your brother

00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.079
 in your

00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:54.640
 heart but

00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:55.019
 you shall

00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.440
 reason

00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:56.000
 frankly

00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.380
 with your

00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:57.620
 neighbor lest

00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.380
 you incur

00:21:58.380 --> 00:21:59.599
 sin because

00:21:59.599 --> 00:21:59.980
 of him.

00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:01.059
 You shall

00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.519
 not take

00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:02.180
 vengeance or

00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:02.519
 bear a

00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.120
 grudge against

00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:03.500
 the sons

00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:03.740
 of your

00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.180
 own people

00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:04.839
 but you

00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.440
 shall love

00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:05.839
 your neighbor

00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.519
 as yourself.

00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.480
 I am

00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:07.900
 the Lord.

00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:09.819
 So false

00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.279
 witness,

00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.559
 slandering,

00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:12.819
 reasoning

00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.880
 dishonestly with

00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:14.279
 your neighbor,

00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:15.359
 all of these

00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.220
 things constitute

00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.099
 a violation of

00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:17.480
 the ninth

00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.000
 commandment.

00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.879
 To boil it

00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:20.439
 down, in

00:22:20.439 --> 00:22:22.059
 essence, any

00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:22.839
 witnessing we

00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.459
 do concerning

00:22:23.459 --> 00:22:24.000
 our neighbor,

00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.219
 anything we

00:22:25.219 --> 00:22:25.740
 say about

00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.159
 our neighbor

00:22:26.159 --> 00:22:26.939
 that stems

00:22:26.939 --> 00:22:27.959
 from hatred

00:22:27.959 --> 00:22:28.639
 of him or

00:22:28.639 --> 00:22:29.980
 her rather

00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.939
 than love

00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.839
 of him or

00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:33.500
 her violates

00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.059
 the spirit of

00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:34.379
 the ninth

00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:34.919
 commandment.

00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:38.079
 This includes

00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:39.139
 lying, of

00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:40.219
 course, speaking

00:22:40.219 --> 00:22:41.019
 falsely of

00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.319
 another.

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.740
 Ephesians 4.25

00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.339
 says we should

00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:45.899
 put away

00:22:45.899 --> 00:22:46.539
 falsehood.

00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:46.819
 Let each

00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.139
 one of you

00:22:47.139 --> 00:22:47.960
 speak truth

00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.460
 with his

00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:48.980
 neighbor, for

00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.220
 we are

00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:49.779
 members one

00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.200
 of another.

00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.119
 Proverbs 6

00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:52.579
 says that

00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:54.420
 God abominates,

00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.319
 detests,

00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.799
 abhors a

00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.639
 lying tongue

00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:58.159
 and a false

00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:58.659
 witness who

00:22:58.659 --> 00:22:59.159
 breathes out

00:22:59.159 --> 00:22:59.539
 lies.

00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.279
 Lying in

00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:03.879
 Proverbs 6

00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:04.399
 is connected

00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:05.279
 to all kinds

00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:05.859
 of social

00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:06.759
 ills, like

00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.159
 shedding

00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:07.980
 innocent blood,

00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:08.819
 devising wicked

00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.720
 plans, running

00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.339
 to do evil,

00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.359
 sowing discord

00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:11.960
 among brothers.

00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:12.720
 And the

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.379
 reason is because

00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:13.820
 a lying

00:23:13.820 --> 00:23:15.140
 tongue is

00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:16.740
 foundationally

00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.600
 at its root

00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:18.540
 anti-social

00:23:18.540 --> 00:23:19.640
 and is

00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.360
 connected to

00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:20.900
 all these

00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:21.660
 other social

00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:22.280
 ills.

00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:24.280
 People who

00:23:24.280 --> 00:23:24.920
 lie think to

00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.660
 themselves, well,

00:23:25.780 --> 00:23:26.780
 they don't deserve

00:23:26.780 --> 00:23:27.260
 to know the

00:23:27.260 --> 00:23:27.580
 truth.

00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:28.620
 They would

00:23:28.620 --> 00:23:29.160
 misunderstand

00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.320
 the truth.

00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:31.760
 They wouldn't

00:23:31.760 --> 00:23:32.220
 know what to

00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:32.920
 do with the

00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.220
 truth.

00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:34.580
 So I'll just

00:23:34.580 --> 00:23:35.060
 keep this

00:23:35.060 --> 00:23:35.460
 truth to

00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:35.860
 myself.

00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:37.780
 A lying

00:23:37.780 --> 00:23:38.180
 tongue is

00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:38.900
 connected to

00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:40.280
 hands that

00:23:40.280 --> 00:23:40.760
 shed innocent

00:23:40.760 --> 00:23:42.040
 blood and to

00:23:42.040 --> 00:23:42.620
 a heart that

00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.239
 devises wicked

00:23:43.239 --> 00:23:43.919
 plans because

00:23:43.919 --> 00:23:44.759
 a liar is

00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.139
 willing to

00:23:45.139 --> 00:23:45.959
 sacrifice the

00:23:45.959 --> 00:23:47.179
 truth and

00:23:47.179 --> 00:23:47.699
 the interests

00:23:47.699 --> 00:23:48.039
 of other

00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.599
 people to

00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:49.299
 advance his

00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.319
 or her own

00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:50.719
 agenda.

00:23:51.939 --> 00:23:52.639
 Lying is

00:23:52.639 --> 00:23:53.199
 fundamentally

00:23:53.199 --> 00:23:54.719
 selfish because

00:23:54.719 --> 00:23:55.479
 it hides the

00:23:55.479 --> 00:23:56.019
 truth for the

00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.719
 sake of self

00:23:56.719 --> 00:23:58.079
 preservation and

00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.139
 self advancement.

00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.539
 All societies

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.399
 and relationships

00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:05.579
 are built upon

00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:07.559
 trust and lying

00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:09.719
 erodes trust so

00:24:09.719 --> 00:24:10.839
 it compromises the

00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.679
 very foundation of

00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:12.119
 society.

00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:14.679
 when you catch

00:24:14.679 --> 00:24:15.500
 someone lying and

00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.099
 I'm sure some of

00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:16.639
 you guys have done

00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.279
 this before when

00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:17.779
 you catch someone

00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:19.719
 lying even once you

00:24:19.719 --> 00:24:20.419
 start to second

00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:21.259
 guess yourself

00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.139
 whenever that person

00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:22.859
 tells you something

00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.279
 don't you?

00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.279
 Did this really

00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:25.619
 happen?

00:24:26.479 --> 00:24:27.019
 Is this really

00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.519
 true?

00:24:28.699 --> 00:24:29.799
 It cripples your

00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.639
 ability to trust

00:24:30.639 --> 00:24:31.119
 that person.

00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:34.679
 People lie in

00:24:34.679 --> 00:24:35.739
 order to gain power

00:24:35.739 --> 00:24:36.539
 and control over

00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.579
 others but ironically

00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.179
 what ends up

00:24:38.179 --> 00:24:38.919
 happening is that

00:24:38.919 --> 00:24:40.179
 they gradually lose

00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:42.000
 control and power

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.539
 because their words

00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.440
 lose credibility.

00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.060
 Truth is not

00:24:47.060 --> 00:24:47.700
 fungible.

00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.640
 It is irreplaceable

00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:51.200
 and unchangeable.

00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.700
 The ninth commandment

00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:54.759
 also prohibits

00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.880
 slander as we saw

00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:56.640
 in Leviticus 19.

00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:58.519
 Jesus includes

00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.480
 slander along with

00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.460
 false witness in his

00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.759
 summary of the

00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:03.100
 second half of the

00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:03.720
 ten commandments in

00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.360
 Matthew 15.

00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:06.479
 So if lying is

00:25:06.479 --> 00:25:07.399
 speaking falsely of

00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:09.899
 someone slander is

00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:11.559
 speaking maliciously of

00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:14.799
 someone speaking evil

00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.879
 against another person

00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:16.899
 James 4 calls it.

00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.500
 Slander is of course

00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.819
 often mixed with a

00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.619
 lie but it's not

00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:22.279
 necessarily a lie.

00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.839
 For example in

00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:25.339
 Numbers 12 1 to 2

00:25:25.339 --> 00:25:26.339
 it says Miriam and

00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.939
 Aaron slandered Moses

00:25:27.939 --> 00:25:29.759
 spoke against Moses

00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:31.019
 because of the

00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.119
 Cushite woman whom he

00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:33.419
 had married for he

00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.500
 had married a Cushite

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:34.800
 woman.

00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:36.220
 And they said has

00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.039
 the Lord indeed

00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:38.039
 spoken only through

00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:38.400
 Moses?

00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.620
 Has he not spoken

00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:40.640
 through us also?

00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.759
 So the narrator

00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:44.360
 confirms it was true

00:25:44.360 --> 00:25:45.360
 that Moses had

00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:46.360
 married a Cushite

00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:46.680
 woman.

00:25:47.080 --> 00:25:48.060
 A Gentile woman

00:25:48.060 --> 00:25:49.019
 rather than a

00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.600
 Jewish woman.

00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.160
 A woman of the

00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:51.480
 same faith like all

00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.340
 faithful Jews were

00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:53.220
 expected to do in

00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:53.700
 that time.

00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:55.880
 And it's also true

00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.660
 what they say that

00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:57.700
 God hadn't spoken

00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.519
 only through Moses.

00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.500
 God had also spoken

00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.340
 through Miriam and

00:26:00.340 --> 00:26:00.660
 Aaron.

00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.440
 They're both called

00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.080
 prophets.

00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.060
 Prophetess and

00:26:03.060 --> 00:26:03.340
 prophet.

00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.240
 respectively in

00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.580
 scripture.

00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:07.200
 However despite the

00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.180
 fact that everything

00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:09.180
 Miriam and Aaron

00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:11.100
 said was technically

00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:11.640
 true.

00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:14.220
 What they said was

00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.480
 not exactly fair.

00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.680
 They don't mention

00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:19.600
 anything of the fact

00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:20.740
 that Moses had fled

00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.600
 for his life from

00:26:21.600 --> 00:26:22.460
 Egypt and was in

00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.500
 exile in Midian for

00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.360
 40 years that there

00:26:24.360 --> 00:26:25.259
 were no other people

00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.019
 no other Jewish

00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:27.900
 people to date or

00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:29.019
 court or marry.

00:26:30.580 --> 00:26:31.820
 Why do they choose

00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.720
 to talk about that

00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.860
 specific detail of

00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.519
 Moses' life?

00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:34.940
 I mean you could

00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.519
 have said all kinds

00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:35.940
 of things on

00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.200
 Moses.

00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:36.860
 Why are you saying

00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.799
 that he married a

00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.579
 cushide wife?

00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:40.140
 Their intention is

00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:41.100
 to undermine him.

00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:44.079
 Their intention is

00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.819
 they're trying to

00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.660
 communicate that well

00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:47.240
 God spoke through me

00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.380
 and Aaron,

00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.380
 Miriam and Aaron.

00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:52.600
 Maybe we're more

00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:54.720
 suited to lead this

00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.440
 congregation than

00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:55.680
 Moses.

00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:57.579
 Maybe we follow

00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.240
 God's law more

00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.220
 faithfully than

00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.500
 Moses.

00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.059
 See look,

00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:00.680
 he married a

00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.299
 cushide woman.

00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.279
 That's their

00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.680
 intention.

00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.920
 So technically

00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.640
 everything that they

00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:07.039
 said was true but

00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.680
 what they said was

00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:08.259
 not fair.

00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.640
 And the spirit of

00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:12.819
 what they said was

00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:14.180
 false because Moses

00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:15.480
 was a faithful man

00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.579
 and he was a law

00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.240
 abiding man.

00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:23.160
 So whenever you're

00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.960
 wondering whether or

00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.740
 not you should say

00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.700
 something about

00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.599
 someone, whether it's

00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:27.439
 slanderous or not,

00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.319
 you could ask

00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:28.839
 yourself this

00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:30.099
 question, does my

00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:31.500
 speech stem from

00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:33.179
 love or does it

00:27:33.179 --> 00:27:33.899
 stem from hatred?

00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.339
 Sometimes the

00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:39.119
 loving thing to do

00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:40.439
 is to expose

00:27:40.439 --> 00:27:41.699
 someone's sin.

00:27:42.939 --> 00:27:43.619
 In that case,

00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.639
 it's not slander

00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:45.699
 when it stems from

00:27:45.699 --> 00:27:46.099
 love.

00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.419
 But Proverbs 22

00:27:49.419 --> 00:27:49.919
 once says,

00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.839
 a good name is to

00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.599
 be chosen rather

00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:52.500
 than great riches

00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:54.019
 and favor is better

00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.319
 than silver or gold.

00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:57.399
 Commenting on this,

00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.259
 John Calvin writes,

00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.460
 if a good name is a

00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.740
 treasure, more

00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.539
 precious than all

00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.179
 the riches of the

00:28:02.179 --> 00:28:03.819
 world, no greater

00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.740
 injury can be

00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.799
 inflicted upon man

00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:07.279
 than to wound their

00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.000
 reputation.

00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:10.720
 Imagine that your

00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:12.279
 friend has an

00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.559
 heirloom jewelry

00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:16.819
 and they trust you

00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.339
 enough to let you

00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:18.240
 hold it for a second.

00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.480
 You're holding it.

00:28:20.439 --> 00:28:20.939
 I mean, I don't

00:28:20.939 --> 00:28:21.819
 think I'd ever accept

00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.480
 that because I don't

00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.059
 even want to hold

00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:23.839
 something like that.

00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.039
 Right?

00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:24.639
 I mean, it's so

00:28:24.639 --> 00:28:25.119
 precious.

00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:26.639
 What if you drop

00:28:26.639 --> 00:28:26.839
 it?

00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:27.740
 What if something

00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:28.139
 crumbles?

00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:32.659
 But people's name

00:28:32.659 --> 00:28:33.359
 and reputation,

00:28:33.879 --> 00:28:34.539
 the Bible says,

00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.779
 is even more

00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:39.359
 precious than the

00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:40.279
 costliest jewels.

00:28:44.139 --> 00:28:45.839
 And I would argue

00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:47.779
 further that a

00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:50.779
 damaged reputation is

00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.859
 harder to restore

00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.859
 than a damaged

00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:53.240
 jewel.

00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:53.339
 people.

00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:58.359
 And how much more

00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:59.279
 care should we take

00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.120
 with one another's

00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:01.120
 name and reputation?

00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.940
 The ninth commandment

00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:06.019
 also prohibits gossip,

00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.720
 which we might define

00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.559
 simply as speaking

00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:10.160
 secretly of another

00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:11.259
 behind someone's back.

00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.579
 The New Testament

00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.799
 sometimes describes

00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.559
 this as being

00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.500
 double-tongued,

00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.700
 which literally means

00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.720
 speaking twice,

00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.660
 meaning you're saying

00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:21.259
 something in one place

00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.259
 and then you're going

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.980
 to another place

00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.640
 where that should not

00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:24.519
 be said and then

00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.640
 saying it again.

00:29:25.640 --> 00:29:29.120
 That, of course,

00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:30.340
 if you're betraying

00:29:30.340 --> 00:29:31.120
 someone's confidence

00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:31.980
 and sharing something

00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.540
 that that person

00:29:32.540 --> 00:29:33.440
 confided in you,

00:29:33.540 --> 00:29:34.420
 sensitive information,

00:29:34.540 --> 00:29:35.140
 private information,

00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.560
 that would erode trust,

00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:37.420
 destroy trust.

00:29:38.100 --> 00:29:39.360
 But it's not necessarily

00:29:39.360 --> 00:29:40.259
 only something that's

00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:41.080
 secret, but Proverbs

00:29:41.080 --> 00:29:42.100
 16, 28 says,

00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.020
 a whisperer

00:29:43.020 --> 00:29:44.600
 separates close friends.

00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:46.120
 Gossip also includes

00:29:46.120 --> 00:29:46.900
 talebearing,

00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.460
 spreading rumors,

00:29:49.300 --> 00:29:50.340
 or telling stories

00:29:50.340 --> 00:29:51.340
 that reflect negatively

00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:53.240
 on someone to people

00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:55.120
 who don't need to know.

00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:57.980
 Need to know

00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.339
 is a good rule of thumb.

00:30:00.120 --> 00:30:01.079
 Does this person

00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:01.940
 need to know

00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:03.019
 what you're about to share

00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:04.539
 by virtue of their

00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.700
 relationship with that person

00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:07.240
 or because they occupy

00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:08.299
 a position of authority?

00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.940
 If we are not to gossip,

00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:12.279
 we should also refrain

00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.319
 from listening to gossip.

00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.900
 Proverbs 26, 22 says,

00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:17.019
 the words of a whisperer

00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:18.579
 are like delicious morsels.

00:30:19.120 --> 00:30:19.900
 They go down

00:30:19.900 --> 00:30:20.920
 into the inner parts

00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.640
 of the body.

00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:25.460
 I picture like a

00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:28.200
 really well-marbled,

00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:30.400
 high-quality steak,

00:30:31.320 --> 00:30:31.540
 right?

00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:35.140
 Or a really well-baked

00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:36.400
 chocolate chip cookie

00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:37.900
 that's nice and crispy

00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.420
 on the outside

00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:39.140
 but very moist

00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:39.680
 on the inside.

00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:40.780
 Something that just

00:30:40.780 --> 00:30:41.980
 melts in your mouth.

00:30:42.820 --> 00:30:44.280
 That's what gossip is like.

00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:51.600
 And it goes down smooth.

00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:56.600
 And you'll want to eat it up.

00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.420
 Get some more.

00:31:00.120 --> 00:31:01.480
 So the warning is this.

00:31:01.580 --> 00:31:02.780
 Be leery of it.

00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:04.660
 Don't let it get started.

00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:07.060
 Interrupt when you suspect

00:31:07.060 --> 00:31:07.620
 that you're about

00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:08.440
 to listen to gossip

00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:09.120
 and ask,

00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:10.320
 is this something

00:31:10.320 --> 00:31:11.400
 that I need to know?

00:31:13.600 --> 00:31:14.320
 Do you think

00:31:14.320 --> 00:31:14.960
 it is loving

00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.980
 for you to share

00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:17.800
 this information with me

00:31:17.800 --> 00:31:18.560
 to that person?

00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:20.299
 Have you shared

00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:20.779
 your concern

00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:22.019
 with this person directly?

00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.419
 Do you need me

00:31:23.419 --> 00:31:24.599
 to mediate between you?

00:31:28.179 --> 00:31:28.839
 Another one

00:31:28.839 --> 00:31:29.379
 that we might not

00:31:29.379 --> 00:31:30.159
 think about often

00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:31.159
 is flattery.

00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:33.319
 Flattery also falls

00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:34.000
 within the purview

00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.799
 of the ninth commandment.

00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:36.240
 Flattery is speaking

00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:37.399
 well of another

00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:38.399
 disingenuously.

00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:41.400
 Proverbs 27,

00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.019
 5-6,

00:31:42.100 --> 00:31:42.880
 is better is open

00:31:42.880 --> 00:31:44.180
 rebuke than hidden love.

00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.759
 Faithful are the wounds

00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.400
 of a friend.

00:31:47.040 --> 00:31:48.040
 Profuse are the kisses

00:31:48.040 --> 00:31:48.600
 of an enemy.

00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.600
 It's the enemy

00:31:50.600 --> 00:31:52.120
 who kisses up profusely

00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:53.740
 to hide his true feelings

00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.400
 and intentions.

00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:57.220
 Flattering mouth

00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:58.220
 works ruin.

00:31:58.220 --> 00:32:00.279
 Once again,

00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:01.400
 the heart of all kinds

00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:02.200
 of false testimony

00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:02.920
 is hatred

00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:03.740
 of one's neighbor.

00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.880
 Some decades ago,

00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.559
 I have to share this,

00:32:06.660 --> 00:32:07.240
 Kent Hughes,

00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:08.600
 who's another pastor.

00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.980
 He's a pastor emeritus now,

00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:11.720
 retired of college church

00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.400
 in Wheaton, Illinois.

00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.579
 He came up with

00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.700
 a very witty definition

00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.440
 of flattery.

00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.380
 He says,

00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:18.759
 flattery is saying something

00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:20.339
 to a person's face

00:32:20.339 --> 00:32:22.660
 what you'd never say

00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:23.640
 behind their back.

00:32:24.620 --> 00:32:25.259
 Isn't that funny?

00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:28.920
 I got a good kick

00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:29.420
 out of that one.

00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:31.900
 In that sense,

00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:33.000
 it's the mirror image

00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.660
 of gossip,

00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:36.220
 which is saying something

00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.380
 behind someone's back

00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:38.839
 what you would never say

00:32:38.839 --> 00:32:39.779
 to their face.

00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:40.839
 Right?

00:32:44.380 --> 00:32:46.100
 To be more precise,

00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:48.319
 the content of the flattery

00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.779
 is not necessarily false.

00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:51.759
 Maybe the person

00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.279
 you're flattering

00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.400
 does have those

00:32:53.400 --> 00:32:54.279
 redeeming qualities

00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:55.140
 that you're flattering

00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:55.960
 them about

00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:57.299
 in order to butter them up.

00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:59.559
 But the spirit of flattery

00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:00.779
 is always false

00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:02.639
 because you don't actually

00:33:02.639 --> 00:33:03.440
 love that person.

00:33:03.919 --> 00:33:04.720
 You're not actually

00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.639
 trying to encourage

00:33:05.639 --> 00:33:06.240
 that person.

00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:07.180
 You're just trying

00:33:07.180 --> 00:33:08.559
 to use that person

00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:10.119
 and manipulate that person.

00:33:11.159 --> 00:33:12.079
 That's hatred.

00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:13.899
 That's false.

00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.799
 Even if what you're saying

00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.839
 is technically true.

00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:22.399
 Sometimes we can erroneously

00:33:22.399 --> 00:33:23.259
 conclude that something

00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.399
 is true about our neighbor

00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:26.539
 and therefore bear false witness

00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.319
 about that neighbor.

00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.839
 That kind of rash judgment

00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.980
 I think also falls

00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:32.139
 under the ninth commandment.

00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:35.200
 In our age of sound bites

00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:36.000
 and hot takes

00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:38.200
 where everybody has a platform

00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:40.000
 and everybody wants an audience,

00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:42.619
 premature and presumptuous judgments

00:33:42.619 --> 00:33:43.879
 are increasingly common.

00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:46.659
 So we have fact checkers

00:33:46.659 --> 00:33:47.659
 to ensure that people

00:33:47.659 --> 00:33:48.920
 are actually speaking the truth.

00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:51.279
 And then we have fact checkers

00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:53.240
 who check the fact checkers.

00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:55.799
 And then we have fact checkers

00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:56.740
 who expose that some

00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.539
 of these fact checkers

00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:59.059
 are not real fact checkers.

00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:01.500
 I mean it gets ludicrous.

00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.579
 We have fact checkers

00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:04.680
 who are checking fact checkers

00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.839
 who are checking fact checkers

00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:07.259
 who claim to check facts.

00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:09.380
 It's ridiculous.

00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:16.180
 I don't know if you guys saw

00:34:16.180 --> 00:34:17.320
 the biographical film

00:34:17.320 --> 00:34:18.260
 of Richard Jewell

00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:19.079
 from 2019.

00:34:19.240 --> 00:34:19.880
 Have you guys seen that?

00:34:20.820 --> 00:34:21.920
 It's not very popular.

00:34:22.039 --> 00:34:23.440
 I saw it on a plane one day.

00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:24.440
 It was pretty good.

00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:26.420
 It's about a man named

00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:27.220
 Richard Jewell

00:34:27.220 --> 00:34:29.480
 who works as a security guard

00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:31.800
 during the Centennial Olympic Park bombing

00:34:31.800 --> 00:34:34.220
 in the 1996 Summer Olympics

00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:35.039
 in Atlanta, Georgia.

00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:36.740
 He was a security guard

00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:37.900
 and he was patrolling the grounds

00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:39.440
 and he did his work well

00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:40.059
 and he noticed

00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:42.320
 a suspicious looking backpack

00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:44.460
 that no one was attending to

00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:45.940
 and so he checked it

00:34:45.940 --> 00:34:48.079
 and he found three pipe bombs in it.

00:34:48.579 --> 00:34:50.860
 And so he alerted the police

00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:53.160
 and then he helped evacuate the people

00:34:53.160 --> 00:34:54.519
 and he saved lives.

00:34:55.980 --> 00:34:57.380
 But what happened in the aftermath

00:34:57.380 --> 00:35:01.680
 is that because of psychological profiling,

00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:04.740
 FBI's investigation led them

00:35:04.739 --> 00:35:06.479
 to suspect that Richard Jewell

00:35:06.479 --> 00:35:08.119
 was actually their primary suspect.

00:35:10.899 --> 00:35:12.479
 This should have been done privately

00:35:12.479 --> 00:35:14.139
 and then it would have been all fine

00:35:14.139 --> 00:35:17.719
 but that information was leaked to the press.

00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:21.619
 And so for 88 days, I think,

00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:25.599
 he endured intense public scrutiny,

00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:27.639
 what they call trial by media

00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:33.440
 until he was declared not guilty

00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:34.199
 by the FBI

00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:36.139
 where they stopped the investigation.

00:35:36.599 --> 00:35:37.379
 But even after that,

00:35:37.460 --> 00:35:38.519
 some people suspected him

00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:40.139
 and really believed that he had done it

00:35:40.139 --> 00:35:42.400
 until nine years later

00:35:42.400 --> 00:35:44.219
 when a man named Eric Rudolph

00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:45.460
 pled guilty to the bombing.

00:35:48.799 --> 00:35:50.079
 Some members of the media

00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:51.739
 were convinced that Richard Jewell

00:35:51.739 --> 00:35:53.599
 had been the bomber

00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:55.299
 and if you followed the events

00:35:55.299 --> 00:35:57.219
 and the narrative at the time,

00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:58.940
 you might have been convinced yourself.

00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:03.559
 We all suffer from confirmation bias.

00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:07.440
 We tend to make new evidence

00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:09.539
 we encounter fit the beliefs

00:36:09.539 --> 00:36:10.920
 and theories we already hold.

00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:14.179
 The things you hear

00:36:14.179 --> 00:36:16.779
 and even see with your own eyes

00:36:16.779 --> 00:36:19.239
 can be misleading or even doctored.

00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:22.400
 There might be other explanations for them.

00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:24.780
 So be wary of making rash judgment.

00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:26.220
 Let the proper legal authorities

00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:27.139
 do their job

00:36:27.139 --> 00:36:28.720
 before you pronounce someone guilty

00:36:28.720 --> 00:36:30.519
 in the court of public opinion.

00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:34.079
 James 1.19 commends us

00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:35.119
 to be quick to hear,

00:36:35.340 --> 00:36:36.780
 slow to speak, slow to anger,

00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:40.160
 not to be hard of hearing

00:36:40.160 --> 00:36:41.400
 and hasty in speaking

00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:42.460
 and hot in anger.

00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:45.000
 Not even on social media.

00:36:48.220 --> 00:36:49.820
 Swearing falsely is another issue

00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:51.200
 that is addressed by the Ninth Commandment.

00:36:52.400 --> 00:36:54.139
 It says,

00:36:54.220 --> 00:36:55.480
 you shall not deal falsely.

00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:57.260
 This is Leviticus 19.11-12.

00:36:57.340 --> 00:36:58.420
 You shall not lie to one another.

00:36:58.519 --> 00:37:00.960
 You shall not swear by my name falsely

00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:02.700
 and so profane the name of your God.

00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:06.260
 Psalm 15 describes the profile

00:37:06.260 --> 00:37:07.420
 of a righteous person

00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:08.940
 and many of the descriptions

00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:10.840
 have to do with his speech,

00:37:10.980 --> 00:37:11.680
 godly speech.

00:37:12.059 --> 00:37:13.980
 It says he speaks truth in his heart

00:37:13.980 --> 00:37:15.660
 who does not slander with his tongue

00:37:15.660 --> 00:37:17.460
 and does no evil to his neighbor

00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:19.559
 nor take up a reproach against his friend.

00:37:19.559 --> 00:37:20.719
 And it says this,

00:37:20.779 --> 00:37:23.579
 that he swears to his own hurt

00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:25.400
 and does not change.

00:37:28.480 --> 00:37:29.940
 What good is a promise

00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:32.039
 if we only keep it

00:37:32.039 --> 00:37:33.779
 when it is expedient to do so?

00:37:35.219 --> 00:37:36.759
 Then we don't need to make a promise

00:37:36.759 --> 00:37:37.779
 because we already do

00:37:37.779 --> 00:37:39.199
 what's expedient for us to do

00:37:39.199 --> 00:37:40.440
 every single day.

00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:44.360
 If we break our word

00:37:44.360 --> 00:37:45.740
 at the slightest pretext,

00:37:45.860 --> 00:37:46.900
 as soon as it appears

00:37:46.900 --> 00:37:49.380
 disadvantageous to us,

00:37:49.720 --> 00:37:51.139
 what consideration are we giving

00:37:51.139 --> 00:37:51.820
 to the neighbor

00:37:51.820 --> 00:37:53.619
 to whom we made the promise?

00:37:54.099 --> 00:37:55.920
 Who gave our word to?

00:37:56.400 --> 00:37:57.700
 Who's counting on us?

00:37:59.200 --> 00:38:00.539
 In an ideal world,

00:38:00.659 --> 00:38:01.559
 swearing oaths

00:38:01.559 --> 00:38:03.019
 and making pinky promises

00:38:03.019 --> 00:38:04.220
 would not even be necessary.

00:38:04.219 --> 00:38:07.339
 But they are still inadequate.

00:38:07.699 --> 00:38:09.219
 So Jesus says in Matthew 5,

00:38:09.299 --> 00:38:10.219
 33, 37,

00:38:10.359 --> 00:38:10.559
 again,

00:38:10.679 --> 00:38:11.659
 you have heard that it was said

00:38:11.659 --> 00:38:12.419
 to those of old,

00:38:12.959 --> 00:38:14.359
 you shall not swear falsely

00:38:14.359 --> 00:38:15.779
 but shall perform to the Lord

00:38:15.779 --> 00:38:16.839
 what you have sworn.

00:38:17.399 --> 00:38:18.399
 But I say to you,

00:38:18.500 --> 00:38:19.959
 do not take an oath at all,

00:38:20.059 --> 00:38:20.879
 either by heaven,

00:38:21.219 --> 00:38:22.379
 for it is the throne of God,

00:38:22.419 --> 00:38:23.359
 or by the earth,

00:38:23.439 --> 00:38:24.799
 for it is his footstool,

00:38:24.879 --> 00:38:25.579
 or by Jerusalem,

00:38:25.939 --> 00:38:27.359
 for it is the city of the great king.

00:38:27.799 --> 00:38:29.599
 And do not take an oath by your head,

00:38:29.679 --> 00:38:31.639
 for you cannot make one hair white or black.

00:38:31.639 --> 00:38:35.639
 Let what you say be simply yes or no.

00:38:36.219 --> 00:38:38.339
 Anything more than this comes from evil.

00:38:40.099 --> 00:38:41.980
 Just as divorce was not part

00:38:41.980 --> 00:38:43.000
 of God's creation ideal

00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:44.539
 but was rather a concession

00:38:44.539 --> 00:38:46.059
 to human unfaithfulness,

00:38:46.799 --> 00:38:48.679
 so oaths were not a part

00:38:48.679 --> 00:38:49.980
 of God's creation ideal

00:38:49.980 --> 00:38:53.179
 but a way to manage human untruthfulness.

00:38:54.599 --> 00:38:56.239
 So for spirit-empowered

00:38:56.239 --> 00:38:57.339
 new covenant believers,

00:38:57.779 --> 00:39:00.019
 we should simply let our yes be yes

00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:01.739
 and our no, no.

00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:03.320
 At all times.

00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:05.460
 Not only when we're under oath.

00:39:07.539 --> 00:39:08.880
 I don't think this means

00:39:08.880 --> 00:39:10.420
 it's sinful for us

00:39:10.420 --> 00:39:11.699
 to take oaths of office

00:39:11.699 --> 00:39:15.199
 or take the oaths of witness in court.

00:39:15.800 --> 00:39:18.139
 Even Jesus was placed under oath

00:39:18.139 --> 00:39:19.820
 by the high priest in Matthew 26,

00:39:19.920 --> 00:39:21.900
 63, 64 when he was under trial.

00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:25.539
 But we should live in such a manner

00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:28.219
 that even our ordinary words

00:39:28.219 --> 00:39:29.880
 are completely truthful

00:39:29.880 --> 00:39:31.099
 and reliable

00:39:31.099 --> 00:39:33.659
 so that oaths are not necessary.

00:39:34.559 --> 00:39:35.739
 That's the high calling

00:39:35.739 --> 00:39:36.860
 that God has for us

00:39:36.860 --> 00:39:37.940
 with truthful speech.

00:39:39.699 --> 00:39:41.279
 But obviously,

00:39:41.400 --> 00:39:42.599
 we don't live in a world like that.

00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:46.519
 And we have no one but ourselves

00:39:46.519 --> 00:39:47.039
 to blame

00:39:47.039 --> 00:39:48.079
 because we have lied.

00:39:49.320 --> 00:39:50.679
 We have slandered.

00:39:51.199 --> 00:39:52.539
 We have gossiped.

00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:53.139
 Gossiped.

00:39:54.059 --> 00:39:54.860
 We have flattered.

00:39:55.360 --> 00:39:57.079
 We have rushed into wrong judgment.

00:39:57.239 --> 00:39:58.460
 We have sworn falsely.

00:39:59.779 --> 00:40:01.079
 We have let our yes be no

00:40:01.079 --> 00:40:02.159
 and our no be yes.

00:40:03.440 --> 00:40:04.059
 And God,

00:40:04.199 --> 00:40:05.820
 because he abhors a lying tongue

00:40:05.820 --> 00:40:07.619
 and because he is perfectly righteous

00:40:07.619 --> 00:40:08.119
 and holy,

00:40:08.320 --> 00:40:09.820
 has every right

00:40:09.820 --> 00:40:11.239
 to scrap all of creation.

00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:13.880
 But instead,

00:40:14.079 --> 00:40:15.980
 he redeems creation

00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:17.159
 by sending his only son,

00:40:17.279 --> 00:40:17.500
 Jesus.

00:40:17.500 --> 00:40:21.619
 And Jesus wasn't secluded

00:40:21.619 --> 00:40:23.940
 from our deceiving

00:40:23.940 --> 00:40:25.460
 and backstabbing.

00:40:25.699 --> 00:40:26.679
 He lived among us.

00:40:26.780 --> 00:40:27.460
 He was betrayed

00:40:27.460 --> 00:40:28.719
 by one of his own disciples,

00:40:29.219 --> 00:40:29.460
 Judas,

00:40:30.219 --> 00:40:31.639
 who handed Jesus over

00:40:31.639 --> 00:40:33.059
 to the authorities

00:40:33.059 --> 00:40:34.340
 with a kiss.

00:40:35.800 --> 00:40:37.000
 Profuse are the kisses

00:40:37.000 --> 00:40:37.880
 of an enemy.

00:40:40.019 --> 00:40:40.820
 And then when Jesus

00:40:40.820 --> 00:40:41.679
 was being tried

00:40:41.679 --> 00:40:42.659
 by the Jewish authorities

00:40:42.659 --> 00:40:43.500
 in Matthew 26,

00:40:43.739 --> 00:40:44.920
 it says that the chief priests

00:40:44.920 --> 00:40:46.000
 and the whole council,

00:40:46.000 --> 00:40:47.320
 they were seeking

00:40:47.320 --> 00:40:48.380
 false testimony

00:40:48.380 --> 00:40:49.179
 against Jesus

00:40:49.179 --> 00:40:50.460
 that they might put him to death.

00:40:51.039 --> 00:40:52.280
 But they found none,

00:40:52.900 --> 00:40:54.019
 though many false witnesses

00:40:54.019 --> 00:40:54.699
 came forward.

00:40:55.320 --> 00:40:55.820
 And at last,

00:40:55.940 --> 00:40:56.539
 two came forward

00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:56.860
 and said,

00:40:57.019 --> 00:40:58.000
 this man said,

00:40:58.059 --> 00:40:58.800
 I'm able to destroy

00:40:58.800 --> 00:40:59.539
 the temple of God

00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:00.760
 and rebuild it in three days.

00:41:01.219 --> 00:41:01.900
 The authorities

00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:02.900
 who were charged

00:41:02.900 --> 00:41:04.320
 with executing justice

00:41:04.320 --> 00:41:06.019
 were instead obsessed

00:41:06.019 --> 00:41:09.500
 with executing unjustly.

00:41:11.000 --> 00:41:12.519
 They sought false testimony

00:41:12.519 --> 00:41:13.179
 that would warrant

00:41:13.179 --> 00:41:14.019
 capital punishment.

00:41:14.340 --> 00:41:15.320
 But no one came forward.

00:41:15.320 --> 00:41:16.240
 A whole bunch

00:41:16.240 --> 00:41:16.760
 of false witnesses

00:41:16.760 --> 00:41:17.360
 came forward,

00:41:17.460 --> 00:41:18.059
 but none of them

00:41:18.059 --> 00:41:19.720
 warranted capital punishment.

00:41:19.900 --> 00:41:20.900
 And so they kept looking

00:41:20.900 --> 00:41:22.400
 until two came forward

00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:23.220
 saying that Jesus

00:41:23.220 --> 00:41:24.220
 committed blasphemy,

00:41:24.700 --> 00:41:26.800
 which was an offense

00:41:26.800 --> 00:41:27.660
 punishable by death.

00:41:28.860 --> 00:41:29.780
 That's how Jesus

00:41:29.780 --> 00:41:30.720
 was led to the cross.

00:41:31.900 --> 00:41:33.019
 He was charged

00:41:33.019 --> 00:41:33.539
 on the basis

00:41:33.539 --> 00:41:34.500
 of false witnesses.

00:41:35.900 --> 00:41:37.000
 So if you've ever been

00:41:37.000 --> 00:41:37.880
 on the receiving end

00:41:37.880 --> 00:41:38.760
 of false witness,

00:41:39.360 --> 00:41:40.220
 slander, gossip,

00:41:40.539 --> 00:41:41.100
 rash judgment,

00:41:41.280 --> 00:41:41.640
 flattery,

00:41:41.720 --> 00:41:42.480
 broken promises,

00:41:43.220 --> 00:41:43.780
 rest assured

00:41:43.780 --> 00:41:45.420
 that Jesus understands

00:41:45.420 --> 00:41:47.860
 your sense of betrayal,

00:41:49.360 --> 00:41:51.040
 injustice that you feel.

00:41:51.940 --> 00:41:52.720
 His situation

00:41:52.720 --> 00:41:54.300
 was even more unfair.

00:41:54.820 --> 00:41:56.200
 And he feels the pain

00:41:56.200 --> 00:41:57.900
 even more acutely

00:41:57.900 --> 00:41:59.360
 because he was

00:41:59.360 --> 00:42:00.600
 the perfectly righteous

00:42:00.600 --> 00:42:01.440
 son of God

00:42:01.440 --> 00:42:03.040
 and no one

00:42:03.040 --> 00:42:04.260
 in the whole world

00:42:04.260 --> 00:42:06.260
 had any dirt on him.

00:42:06.260 --> 00:42:12.340
 yet still

00:42:12.340 --> 00:42:13.300
 to the very end,

00:42:13.520 --> 00:42:15.040
 Jesus bore true witness

00:42:15.040 --> 00:42:15.940
 to who he is,

00:42:16.200 --> 00:42:16.980
 that he is righteous,

00:42:17.380 --> 00:42:18.520
 that he is the son of God

00:42:18.520 --> 00:42:19.480
 sent by the father

00:42:19.480 --> 00:42:20.200
 to rescue us

00:42:20.200 --> 00:42:20.980
 from sin and death.

00:42:24.680 --> 00:42:25.480
 He died

00:42:25.480 --> 00:42:26.360
 so that we might live.

00:42:27.620 --> 00:42:28.320
 He died.

00:42:28.940 --> 00:42:30.340
 He who had no deceit

00:42:30.340 --> 00:42:30.860
 in his mouth

00:42:30.860 --> 00:42:31.860
 died so that he might

00:42:31.860 --> 00:42:32.420
 cleanse us

00:42:32.420 --> 00:42:33.320
 of our lying tongues.

00:42:33.320 --> 00:42:41.120
 If you're convicted

00:42:41.120 --> 00:42:41.680
 by this

00:42:41.680 --> 00:42:42.420
 and you're not yet

00:42:42.420 --> 00:42:43.240
 a follower of Jesus,

00:42:44.300 --> 00:42:45.120
 you're not gonna

00:42:45.120 --> 00:42:45.620
 just become

00:42:45.620 --> 00:42:46.559
 a more truthful person

00:42:46.559 --> 00:42:47.440
 by trying harder

00:42:47.440 --> 00:42:50.080
 because what we say

00:42:50.080 --> 00:42:50.920
 with our mouths

00:42:50.920 --> 00:42:52.220
 reflect what's in our heart.

00:42:52.940 --> 00:42:53.980
 We need a new heart

00:42:53.980 --> 00:42:55.860
 which can only come

00:42:55.860 --> 00:42:56.460
 through repentance

00:42:56.460 --> 00:42:57.539
 and faith in Jesus,

00:42:58.500 --> 00:42:59.340
 which can only come

00:42:59.340 --> 00:43:00.160
 when you're born again

00:43:00.160 --> 00:43:01.280
 by the spirit of God.

00:43:03.320 --> 00:43:04.559
 And for you,

00:43:04.760 --> 00:43:05.620
 brothers and sisters

00:43:05.620 --> 00:43:06.440
 in Christ,

00:43:06.620 --> 00:43:07.360
 for our fellow believers,

00:43:07.600 --> 00:43:08.300
 we have an enemy,

00:43:09.100 --> 00:43:09.539
 the devil.

00:43:10.620 --> 00:43:12.400
 His name is Satan,

00:43:13.240 --> 00:43:14.280
 which means

00:43:14.280 --> 00:43:15.500
 the accuser.

00:43:16.320 --> 00:43:17.160
 He is a liar,

00:43:17.960 --> 00:43:19.160
 the father of lies,

00:43:20.460 --> 00:43:21.380
 false witnesses

00:43:21.380 --> 00:43:22.760
 his bread and butter.

00:43:25.460 --> 00:43:27.140
 It says in Revelation 12,

00:43:27.220 --> 00:43:27.360
 10,

00:43:27.400 --> 00:43:28.660
 that he accuses us

00:43:28.660 --> 00:43:30.340
 day and night

00:43:30.340 --> 00:43:31.519
 before our God.

00:43:31.519 --> 00:43:33.159
 day and night,

00:43:33.360 --> 00:43:35.820
 Satan is accusing us

00:43:35.820 --> 00:43:37.199
 to God's face

00:43:37.199 --> 00:43:38.380
 saying,

00:43:39.300 --> 00:43:39.920
 that one

00:43:39.920 --> 00:43:41.079
 and that one

00:43:41.079 --> 00:43:42.360
 deserves your judgment,

00:43:43.039 --> 00:43:44.199
 your condemnation.

00:43:44.880 --> 00:43:45.840
 He is sinful.

00:43:46.519 --> 00:43:47.920
 She is sinful.

00:43:48.460 --> 00:43:49.420
 They are slenderers.

00:43:49.480 --> 00:43:50.360
 They are liars.

00:43:52.159 --> 00:43:53.780
 And that would be true

00:43:53.780 --> 00:43:56.059
 if it weren't for Jesus'

00:43:56.280 --> 00:43:57.199
 atoning sacrifice.

00:43:57.199 --> 00:43:59.659
 But now that Jesus

00:43:59.659 --> 00:44:00.719
 has died for our sins

00:44:00.719 --> 00:44:01.480
 and he has been raised

00:44:01.480 --> 00:44:02.000
 from the dead,

00:44:02.059 --> 00:44:03.599
 that's a blatant falsehood.

00:44:04.179 --> 00:44:05.279
 That's false testimony

00:44:05.279 --> 00:44:06.559
 from the accuser.

00:44:07.859 --> 00:44:08.500
 And maybe Satan

00:44:08.500 --> 00:44:09.239
 has been whispering

00:44:09.239 --> 00:44:09.819
 these lies

00:44:09.819 --> 00:44:10.639
 into your heart

00:44:10.639 --> 00:44:11.199
 this morning.

00:44:11.679 --> 00:44:12.359
 But remember

00:44:12.359 --> 00:44:13.239
 that he is a liar.

00:44:13.939 --> 00:44:14.639
 And we have

00:44:14.639 --> 00:44:15.719
 in our defense

00:44:15.719 --> 00:44:18.000
 an infallible witness.

00:44:19.279 --> 00:44:20.539
 Revelation 3, 14

00:44:20.539 --> 00:44:21.659
 calls Jesus

00:44:21.659 --> 00:44:22.919
 the amen,

00:44:23.919 --> 00:44:25.159
 the faithful

00:44:25.159 --> 00:44:27.039
 and true witness.

00:44:28.119 --> 00:44:29.500
 His very name

00:44:29.500 --> 00:44:30.420
 is amen.

00:44:31.519 --> 00:44:32.279
 His name

00:44:32.279 --> 00:44:33.519
 is certainty.

00:44:34.279 --> 00:44:34.739
 His name

00:44:34.739 --> 00:44:35.619
 is truth.

00:44:36.239 --> 00:44:36.719
 His name

00:44:36.719 --> 00:44:37.960
 is faithfulness.

00:44:38.759 --> 00:44:39.839
 Jesus is our true

00:44:39.839 --> 00:44:40.899
 and faithful witness

00:44:40.899 --> 00:44:41.659
 and he is

00:44:41.659 --> 00:44:43.139
 standing at the right

00:44:43.139 --> 00:44:44.059
 hand of the Father

00:44:44.059 --> 00:44:45.639
 this very moment

00:44:45.639 --> 00:44:47.639
 advocating for you

00:44:47.639 --> 00:44:48.399
 and me

00:44:48.399 --> 00:44:48.859
 saying,

00:44:49.379 --> 00:44:50.980
 I pay for that one sin.

00:44:52.480 --> 00:44:53.559
 He is mine.

00:44:53.559 --> 00:44:56.259
 So be gone

00:44:56.259 --> 00:44:57.059
 you accuser

00:44:57.059 --> 00:44:59.599
 in this heavenly court.

00:45:00.519 --> 00:45:02.920
 We have a true witness

00:45:02.920 --> 00:45:04.199
 in the court of heaven.

00:45:09.920 --> 00:45:11.340
 And so now

00:45:11.340 --> 00:45:14.500
 we are commissioned

00:45:14.500 --> 00:45:16.380
 to bear witness to him.

00:45:17.659 --> 00:45:19.039
 To be true witnesses

00:45:19.039 --> 00:45:19.940
 of Jesus

00:45:19.940 --> 00:45:21.059
 to the world.

00:45:21.059 --> 00:45:23.860
 And Jesus warned us

00:45:23.860 --> 00:45:25.119
 in Luke 21

00:45:25.119 --> 00:45:25.880
 and Matthew 5

00:45:25.880 --> 00:45:26.699
 he said that we'll be

00:45:26.699 --> 00:45:27.880
 handed over to courts.

00:45:28.559 --> 00:45:29.579
 That people will bear

00:45:29.579 --> 00:45:30.480
 false testimony

00:45:30.480 --> 00:45:31.159
 about us.

00:45:31.400 --> 00:45:32.400
 That we will be persecuted.

00:45:32.639 --> 00:45:33.179
 That we'll be thrown

00:45:33.179 --> 00:45:33.719
 into prison.

00:45:33.840 --> 00:45:34.360
 That some of us

00:45:34.360 --> 00:45:35.019
 will be killed.

00:45:35.619 --> 00:45:36.239
 Jesus said

00:45:36.239 --> 00:45:37.119
 all of these things

00:45:37.119 --> 00:45:37.719
 will happen

00:45:37.719 --> 00:45:39.119
 because we bear witness

00:45:39.119 --> 00:45:39.699
 to him.

00:45:42.900 --> 00:45:43.820
 But we're still

00:45:43.820 --> 00:45:44.679
 to bear witness

00:45:44.679 --> 00:45:45.679
 to him.

00:45:45.779 --> 00:45:46.199
 Jesus said

00:45:46.199 --> 00:45:47.480
 everyone who acknowledges

00:45:47.480 --> 00:45:48.259
 me before men

00:45:48.259 --> 00:45:49.480
 I also will acknowledge

00:45:49.480 --> 00:45:50.599
 before my father

00:45:50.599 --> 00:45:52.400
 who is in heaven.

00:45:54.400 --> 00:45:55.420
 This is how

00:45:55.420 --> 00:45:56.059
 we are meant

00:45:56.059 --> 00:45:56.960
 to conquer Satan

00:45:56.960 --> 00:45:57.599
 by the blood

00:45:57.599 --> 00:45:58.199
 of the lamb

00:45:58.199 --> 00:45:59.340
 and the word

00:45:59.340 --> 00:46:01.260
 of our testimony.

00:46:06.699 --> 00:46:07.679
 You guys remember

00:46:07.679 --> 00:46:08.139
 that story

00:46:08.139 --> 00:46:08.880
 of Stephen

00:46:08.880 --> 00:46:10.500
 our first

00:46:10.500 --> 00:46:11.699
 the first Christian

00:46:11.699 --> 00:46:12.000
 martyr

00:46:12.000 --> 00:46:14.199
 in Acts 7.

00:46:15.320 --> 00:46:16.179
 He bore witness

00:46:16.179 --> 00:46:16.639
 to Jesus

00:46:16.639 --> 00:46:18.460
 and he was persecuted

00:46:18.460 --> 00:46:19.119
 like Jesus.

00:46:19.339 --> 00:46:21.559
 He was falsely charged

00:46:21.559 --> 00:46:23.000
 the same kind of crime

00:46:23.000 --> 00:46:24.079
 that Jesus was falsely

00:46:24.079 --> 00:46:24.679
 charged of.

00:46:25.099 --> 00:46:26.379
 He was stoned to death

00:46:26.379 --> 00:46:28.019
 and as he is being

00:46:28.019 --> 00:46:28.900
 stoned to death

00:46:28.900 --> 00:46:30.839
 by this unjust

00:46:30.839 --> 00:46:32.239
 and wicked human court

00:46:32.239 --> 00:46:32.940
 around him

00:46:32.940 --> 00:46:34.440
 throwing stones at him

00:46:34.440 --> 00:46:35.480
 and Stephen looks up

00:46:35.480 --> 00:46:35.980
 to heaven

00:46:35.980 --> 00:46:37.519
 and he sees

00:46:37.519 --> 00:46:38.839
 at the right hand

00:46:38.839 --> 00:46:39.639
 of the father

00:46:39.639 --> 00:46:40.659
 Jesus

00:46:40.659 --> 00:46:42.699
 the true

00:46:42.699 --> 00:46:43.879
 and faithful witness

00:46:43.880 --> 00:46:46.380
 bearing witness

00:46:46.380 --> 00:46:46.880
 to him

00:46:46.880 --> 00:46:48.440
 standing up

00:46:48.440 --> 00:46:48.900
 for him

00:46:48.900 --> 00:46:50.519
 saying it doesn't

00:46:50.519 --> 00:46:51.320
 matter what men

00:46:51.320 --> 00:46:52.599
 say about you

00:46:52.599 --> 00:46:54.480
 because I say

00:46:54.480 --> 00:46:56.920
 you are justified.

00:47:05.920 --> 00:47:06.980
 So let's be true

00:47:06.980 --> 00:47:07.800
 witnesses for him.

00:47:09.400 --> 00:47:10.320
 Heavenly Father

00:47:10.320 --> 00:47:21.240
 God it's your

00:47:21.240 --> 00:47:23.140
 Lord Jesus

00:47:23.140 --> 00:47:24.380
 your true witness

00:47:24.380 --> 00:47:26.620
 your intercession

00:47:26.620 --> 00:47:27.400
 on our behalf

00:47:27.400 --> 00:47:28.120
 your advocacy

00:47:28.120 --> 00:47:28.880
 for us

00:47:28.880 --> 00:47:29.460
 in the court

00:47:29.460 --> 00:47:29.920
 of heaven

00:47:29.920 --> 00:47:31.180
 that gives us

00:47:31.180 --> 00:47:31.920
 confidence

00:47:31.920 --> 00:47:34.140
 to approach you

00:47:34.140 --> 00:47:37.260
 that gives us

00:47:37.260 --> 00:47:37.820
 confidence

00:47:37.820 --> 00:47:38.500
 to go out

00:47:38.500 --> 00:47:39.320
 into this world

00:47:39.320 --> 00:47:40.280
 and bear witness

00:47:40.280 --> 00:47:41.019
 to our savior

00:47:41.019 --> 00:47:41.860
 Jesus Christ

00:47:41.860 --> 00:47:42.340
 no matter

00:47:42.340 --> 00:47:43.640
 what happens

00:47:43.640 --> 00:47:49.260
 to be true

00:47:49.260 --> 00:47:49.720
 to you

00:47:49.720 --> 00:47:50.980
 to speak truthfully

00:47:50.980 --> 00:47:51.700
 even when the whole

00:47:51.700 --> 00:47:52.940
 world is against us

00:47:52.940 --> 00:47:55.200
 and call us liars

00:47:55.200 --> 00:48:00.740
 because Lord Jesus

00:48:00.740 --> 00:48:01.400
 you are

00:48:01.400 --> 00:48:02.360
 the way

00:48:02.360 --> 00:48:03.019
 the truth

00:48:03.019 --> 00:48:03.680
 and the life

00:48:03.679 --> 00:48:09.879
 and we love you

00:48:09.879 --> 00:48:13.659
 we belong

00:48:13.659 --> 00:48:14.719
 to you

00:48:14.719 --> 00:48:22.899
 thank you God

00:48:22.899 --> 00:48:24.599
 in Jesus name

00:48:24.599 --> 00:48:25.019
 we pray

00:48:25.019 --> 00:48:26.000
 amen