What does Your Life Look Like

"If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing, then both the men who have the dispute shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days. The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you. The rest will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such an evil thing among you." -Deuteronomy 19.16-20

The Bible does lay out guidelines for the death penalty (Deuteronomy 17), it was to be on the testimony of two or three witnesses, and the witnesses were to cast the first stones. Death was never to be prescribed on the testimony of only one witness because they were times when a malicious witness would rise up and bring a false accusation for one reason or another. When this happened both men were brought before the lord and the leadership was to investigate the matter thoroughly. If they found that the witness was lying then he was to be punished as he intended for the other man to be, so that evil would be purged. When people found out that the truth is always found out and that liars were punished, they would be dissuaded from bringing false charges against someone.

The American election season is over for the moment, so we don't have to endure endless political ads. But when they are coming in full force each side says the opposite thing. One side attacks the other saying the candidate did or didn't do such and such. They attacked party rises in defense stating that it isn't true and here are the facts before the strike back. Both sides can't be telling the truth, and it becomes the job of the voter to investigate what really did happen.

I bring this up because I have a friend who has felt led to pursue some sort of governmental leadership. I mentioned a couple years ago that I thought he would make a great President. He's prayed a lot about it and has considered trying to pursue that course if God allows. One thing I told him was to live his life in such a way that if the time ever comes to run for office, the opposition has nothing to nail on him. I've challenged him to live with such character and integrity that no one can point a finger at. I passed along the oath Godfrey gives Balian in Kingdom of Heaven, "Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth, always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong."

Men, what does your life look like? What accusations brought against you would be false? How easy would it be for leadership to find you innocent of false charges? Is your life defined by character and integrity?

The truth will be found out. So let us live in a way where no false accusation can stand. Let us "Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth, always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath."

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor