Jeremiah 9:5-6 says -"And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know Me, saith the LORD."
In these verses of Scripture, God was describing the kind of society in which Jeremiah found himself and to which he was called to minister.
The LORD described it in three ways.
First of all, He said that they were a people who "deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth." In other words, with lying words, they "deceived" their "neighbor" - whether it was in daily conversation or in trade and commerce. They "will not speak the truth." Said another way - when they reported the facts, it was all a lie!
Secondly, He said that they were a people who "taught their tongue to speak lies." They were a false and lying generation. By lying continually, they made themselves masters of its art. They became skillful at it. It became a second nature to them - so natural that they could not do otherwise.
Thirdly, He said that they were a people who "weary themselves to commit iniquity." What He meant by that was that they spared no pains to do crookedly or to act perversely. They continued on with their sin - even to the point of "weariness." In committing it, they were more hardworking than a righteous man is in doing good.
And, just in case Jeremiah did not "get the picture," God repeated Himself in saying - "Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit."
What He was clearly saying to the Prophet is this - "You are dwelling in the midst of deceitful men. You are surrounded by deceit on every side. These people are actually addicted to it. They are not to be trusted in nor depended upon. Hypocrisy is a reigning and governing sin in them. '...they refuse to know Me' and My ways. Hence, You must act cautiously and prudently - standing upon your guard at all times."
Barnes' Notes had this to say in comment - "Their rejection of God is the result of their want of honesty in their dealings with one another."
Then, The Pulpit Commentary added - "False relations with God lead to false relations with men." "The worship of a god known to be false develops a life of falseness. The hypocritical service of God is likely to be accompanied by dishonest dealings with men."
Notice that their "deceitful ways" stemmed from their hypocritical relationship with the Lord God. Their relationship with Him was a farce! Hence, their relationship with man became a farce!
So, can we all agree in saying that when a society is full of "deceit" (as this one in which Jeremiah found Himself), the "finger" of blame can oftentimes (if not always) be pointed at the condition of the Church or God's people?
When God's people - generally speaking - are "playing the hypocrite," then it becomes no wonder that the society is full of liars, liars, and more liars!
Have you noticed that - like Jeremiah - you are "in the midst of deceit"?
As a Born-Again Child of God, have you noticed that the society in which you presently live - for the most part - "deceives every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth"?
Whenever they report the facts, it is all a lie!
Have you also noticed that you are living in a false and lying generation?
For one - the Liberal Media has become adept at lying. And, nowadays, you will find people who are "sparing no pains to do crookedly or to act perversely" - even (or should I say especially) those in Government positions!
What happens when a society of people turn their back on God and His Word or "play the hypocrite"?
For one thing - they become a "false witness."
Throughout the Bible, God continuously calls His people - His Church - "My witnesses." They are to be His "reflection" to a lost and dying world. But, when they fail in this mission, then the enemy has "place" to produce his "false witness." And he is doing that right now in our present-day society.
What is a "false witness"? How does God view him? And what are the consequences of being one?
Let's look to the Scriptures for answers to these questions.
In Proverbs 6, Solomon listed a "false witness" as one of the seven (7) "abominations" - things that the LORD hates. Verses 16 and 19 says - "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him...A false witness that speaketh lies..."
Here he was describing one who blows lies...raises lies...spreads them abroad...and swears to them to the damage of others. In other words, He was describing the breather of lies and the lying informer.
Matthew Henry said - "There cannot be a greater affront to God nor a greater injury to our neighbor than knowingly to give in a false testimony. There are seven things which God hates, and lying involves two of them; He hates it, and doubly hates it."
When speaking of a "false witness," Solomon was also referring to perjury - the vile instrument in the hands of unscrupulous enemies. He was talking about that which is used to ruin the innocent and save the guilty.
The Pulpit Commentary said - "Much hurt doth the deceitful and lying witness, for he corrupteth the judge, oppresseth the innocent, suppresseth the truth, and in the courts of justice sinneth against his own soul and the Lord Himself most grievously."
In Proverbs 12:17, Solomon went on to say - "He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit." A "false witness' " true character is fraud, treachery, and wrong doing. When called upon to give testimony in matters of judgment, he will - without fail - declare that which is false - having no regard for the truth or justice.
In Proverbs 14:5, Solomon went on to say - "A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies." What he was saying here was that a "faithful witness" cannot be persuaded - by threat or bribe - to swerve from the truth. However, a "false witness" - needing no compulsion - will have no problem putting forth lies.
A "false witness" is as one without a conscience. He will "utter lies" as fast as he can and with great boldness and confidence.
In Proverbs 19:5, Solomon continued on to say - "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape." Here he was talking about one who - in common conversation - tells lies. He was also referring to one who gives wrong evidence..."bears false witness" in judgment...or makes an unjust charge. What emboldens the "false witness" is the hope of impunity. He hopes to escape the punishment due to such offenders by the laws of God and men.
However, even though some may actually escape punishment in this world, you can rest assured that they will not escape it in the world to come.
As Solomon pointed out - "bearing false witness" or perjury is indeed a grievous offence to God - "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape."
This man - who for favor to one side or malice to the other - brings forth false evidence or makes a sworn statement of that which he knows to be false - the lies he forged against others will be his ruin. In the end, his testimony will be worthless and his reputation will come to ruin.
But that is not the worst of it! For in Proverbs 19:9 and 21:28, Solomon repeatedly stated - "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish." "A false witness shall perish..."
The man who lies - who "bears false witness against his neighbor" - will be lost...undone for ever...and "have his part in the lake of fire" - unless he repents of this damning, destroying sin.
Remember the words of Pastor Henry - "There cannot be a greater affront to God nor a greater injury to our neighbor than knowingly to give in a false testimony."
And then consider once again the opening statement from The Pulpit Commentary - "And is not deceit or treachery in some form the real canker in a decaying society, the last cause of all calamity?"
You are presently living in a "decaying society" - caused by deceit and treachery. Like the Prophet Jeremiah, you are "in the midst of deceit" - in the midst of a people who report the facts as lies and lies as the facts (like the Liberal Media constantly does)! It is a false and lying generation that has become quite dexterous at lying and will spare no pains to do crookedly or to act perversely.
Are you aware of that?
If not, you may already be caught up in its web without even knowing it!
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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