As I’ve posted off and on for the past few months, I spent the first half of 2024 studying the wisdom literature books, and one thing I noticed is how much attention Solomon devotes to truth and lies. For example, here’s a verse with a lot of subtle depth. On the surface, it seems very obvious, to the point where you might wonder why it needed to be said at all…
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
(Proverbs 12:17)
The one who speaks the truth shows what is right. The one who lies shows what is false. That’s it; that’s the whole verse.
What’s the point of saying that, Solomon? I mean, obviously a truth teller tells the truth and a liar tells lies. Everybody knows that. Other translations render this verse as: “An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.” Again, that’s… obvious. So why say it?
Look at the verse from another perspective: Do not expect a liar to be honest with you. Likewise, do not doubt the words of a proven truth-teller. Before you hear that and say “that’s obvious!” stop and consider circumstances where we might want to believe a liar because their words are what we want to hear. Think about the times when we might not want to listen to a truth-teller because their words hurt too much (as the truth sometimes does).
Sometimes we need reminders, like this verse offers, to tell us who to trust and who to doubt. A proven liar has lost his credibility. An honest man has earned the benefit of the doubt. That may be obvious, but not always easy to apply in life.
~Matthew