Without Cause Not a Witness - Proverbs 24:28

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your home”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse twenty-eight of Proverbs Solomon said, “be not a witness against your neighbor without cause” where we read,

Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause;

and deceive not with your lips.

The verse begins, “Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause;” Solomon began with the words, “be not a witness” or “do not exist as one who gives testimony or evidence” “against your neighbor” which means “in opposition to your intimate companion, fellow-citizen or friend” “without cause” or “for nothing, no purpose or in vain and undeservedly”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners not to bring testimony or evidence in opposition to their friend or intimate companion for no reason or purpose. 

The verse goes on to say, “and deceive not with your lips.” Solomon continued with the words, “and deceive not” or “and do not entice, persuade or be naive” “with your lips” which means “by the use of your, Solomon's readers and listeners', lips used for speaking”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners not to use their lips for speaking with enticement and naivety.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how we are not to bring evidence in opposition to our associates, friends or intimate companions unless there is a reason to do so. God wants us to be honest and to speak with integrity concerning our fellow man. He knew we were all in opposition to His commandments, and this is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us so that we are led to all truth and to use our testimony and speech to declare it. 

Next time Solomon says, “say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".