Secrecy Should Not Be A Basis To Bear False Witness

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.’ (Proverbs 12:20); ‘The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.’ (Proverbs 12:22)

There is news that several files that the Bureaucratic agencies of the Federal Government held tightly for decades may finally become declassified and release to the public. The JFK, RFK, and MLK files as well as the Epstein visitor/flight logs will soon be published for all to see. Due to their secrecy, there has been much public speculation on what the agencies knew about the subjects themselves, the details of the assassinations (including who the assassins really were), and in case of the Epstein list, who were those who went to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island and what did they do while visiting?

This undue secrecy, with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy taking place almost 61 years ago, led to conspiracy theories and trails of accusations against some who may or may not be innocent. Though there are items requiring secrecy for national security, these items should be the exception and not the norm. The secrecy, perhaps to allow the guilty to remain free from repercussions while the innocent are vilified for a crime they did not commit, is a form of bearing false witness. This is true for our lives, as well. While there are some things we need to keep confidential and personal when necessary, the Truth should never be muted when it comes to matter of the Gospel of Christ.

Bearing false witness is of course prohibited by Commandment IX (9) of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God.  We often speak of this as lying, but it can also be considered that being silent with regard to the truth (or the Truth) is also bearing false witness. 

For example, if you have a nail in your tire and I see it, but do not tell you about it and act as if nothing is wrong, is this not bearing false witness?  I may not want to give you the bad news that you may have to shell out a couple hundred dollars to get a new tire, but if I remain silent and you have a blow out on I-75 at 70MPH it may have been far better for you to suffer the need to whip out a credit card than to suffer in a hospital room and a totaled automobile caused by my silence.

This is what we see in our news organizations unfortunately; along with lies and half-truths, we often see truth ignored.  Unless you read various sources of news and information and dig deep, you may not uncover the truth.  In many cases, our churches and religious institutions are the same way.  We are fortunate the Truth is promoted in MBC, but other churches often only what to provide ‘happy-happy’ and over-inclusive proclamations, and not tell the full story on God’s wrath as well as His love and that sinful actions are indeed sinful. 

Do we want MBC to be inclusive – to the degree we want the sinner to come in, hear God’s Word, and prayerfully & hopefully be changed to follow God’s ways – yes.  Do we want to encourage inclusivity to the point of superseding God’s Word to promote secular acceptance – no.  We need our churches to stand for the Truth, to be fearless to say ‘that’s wrong and goes against the Word of God & the Gospel of Christ’. 

On a personal level, we need to understand that by not sharing the Gospel of Christ with people, allowing them to be ignorant that they have a choice, is a form of bearing false witness.  While it is their choice to make, we cannot be silent.  We cannot overpromise, either.  Believing in Christ may not keep a loved one from dying, or to keep someone from going into debt or immediately break a bad habit (although these things can happen with the power of Christ).  We cannot promote the falsehood of ‘secular prosperity’ in Christ; we can only promote the eternal salvation and contentment Jesus’ Gospel provides.

The truth, and the Truth, can be both unpleasant and welcome at the same time.  Don’t be afraid of the truth, or to seek it.  Don’t be afraid to confirm what some say is the truth, and don’t be afraid to share the truth, especially the Truth of Christ and His Gospel!