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Show , I i. IlllifllP Rev. Robert H. Harper The Obligation to be Truthful Exodus 10: 16: John 18: 15-27 Golden Text: Exodus 20: 16 PETER in the firelight, on the night before the crucifixion showed how false witness can be borne by refusing to witness for a man In claiming not to know him. While Jesus was before the high priest, Peter was subjected to this trial and that from the servants of the palace. To save his own hide, Peter thrice denied his Lord, and even with an oath. And we look with abhorrence upon the nefarious deed when we recall how Peter had boasted of his devotion and allegiance alle-giance and had vowed that he would give his life for his Lord. His three-fold denial was a violation viola-tion of the commandment against false witnessing. And it was just plain lying under the most hurtful hurt-ful circumstances. We note that, first of all, not to witness for a man in a crucial hour is to witness against him. In this connection, we may think of the old injunction against "damning a 1 man with faint praise." Faint praise can sometimes ruin a man. ' We may also think of the lying that some men are guilty of by remaining utterly silent. Perhaps a little shrug of the shoulders completes com-pletes the condemnation by silence. -t Bearing false witness is one of , the lowest and meanest ways of ; lying. And we need a larger ap- ; pralsement of the good things In ' our fellows and a greater kindness In the heart when we speak of I them. |
