The Pilgrim Path---Proverbs 14: 5, 34

A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

LIES / RIGHTEOUSNESS

Anyone may get a hearing in our world. On Social Media. Popular Blog. Entertaining Radio Spot. Nifty Podcast. Remember: “Error / Falsehood circles the globe while truth is putting its boots on.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Just because someone has a medium---does not actually mean they convey the truth. Truth is at a premium in this ole world. Always has been. Lies are gobbled up rather fast. Our flesh seems to take to them rather quickly. You must pray and meditate upon the Word with some great frequency to be able to develop discernment in times of darkness and confusion. There is much unrighteousness in our nation. Sadly, the United States is known around the world for: arrogance, materialism, perversion, violence, and consuming too many of the planet’s natural resources. I have often thought in the last forty years or so, that if it were not for the fact the Evangelical Church still supported World Missions so strongly---the LORD might well have allowed our nation to topple. So much foolishness, decadence, and defiance toward the clear teaching of Scripture. Yet, God is incredibly merciful. We must humble ourselves and seek the LORD’S face for renewal and reformation. Our political parties are in dismal condition---dismal straits. The LORD’S answer: “Turn to me—and I will turn to you.”

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8: 31, 32

The Larger Catechism

Q. 143. Which is the ninth commandment? A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Q. 145. What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence, calling evil good, and the good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to avoid wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to prejudice of truth or justice; speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, talebearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash harsh, and partial censuring; misconstruing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vainglorious boasting; thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any, endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.

In seeking truth, remember it is not hasty reading, but serious meditating upon holy and heavenly truths that make them sweet and profitable to the soul…It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most, that will prove the sweetest, wisest, and strongest Christian. Also, it is not the knowing, talking, and reading man, but the doing man that will at last be found the happiest man. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. Judas called Christ LORD, and yet betrayed him. How many Judases kiss Christ, and yet betray him; in their words they profess him, but in their works they deny him; they bow their knees to him, and yet in their hearts they despise him; they call him Jesus, and obey him not as LORD. Thomas Brooks

With grateful hearts the past we own;

The future, all to us unknown,

We to Thy guardian care commit,

And peaceful leave before Thy feet.

In scenes exalted or depressed,

Thou art our Joy, and Thou our Rest;

Thy goodness all our hopes shall raise,

Adored through all our changing days.

Philip Doddridge (1702—1751)

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason