Hateful: #6 – Family Court

“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:

haughty eyes,

a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked schemes,

feet that are quick to rush into evil,

a false witness who pours out lies

and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV

It’s hard to imagine God hating anything. Yet, here it is: God’s Top 7 Hate List. Today, we examine number six.

#6: A false witness who pours out lies.

Family court. Not the Judge Judy kind, but the Mom and Dad kind when brothers and sisters have a dispute. Countless times have I sat in the judge and jury’s chair and tried to sift out the truth.

Whole truth. Half truth. Which child is being honest with me? Are they both avoiding discipline or simply making sure their sibling gets in trouble? Where is a good eye witness when you need one?

The Father hates “a false witness who pours out lies.” Check out these verses to see why:

John 14:6 NIV: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:16, 17 NIV: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.

Psalm 31:5b NIV: …redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

Truth is a person and that person is God Himself. Every person of the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is rooted in truth. So, when asked to testify in family court, keep your testimony pure. Though my kids may get a lie past me, God, who is all-knowing, will not be fooled. If you’ve been wronged by your sibling, God will deal with it. Trust His love and justice. Tell the truth and avoid His Hate List.