Proverbs 25:18-19 Whipped by Lies
It is amazing how fast a lie can spread, and how deep it can wound. This is especially true when those you trust whip you with their lies.
A neighbor in Solomon’s days meant something entirely different that the word “neighbor” means today. The words used to carry similar meaning not that long ago. In the days of Solomon, a neighbor was someone who you could trust to have your back. Someone who lived close to you that you could run to in times of trouble. Someone who you actually knew their names and their children’s names. Neighbors didn’t have to be living next to one another to fall into this category of acquaintances. They didn’t have to be the closest of friends to be neighbors but many were.
Today, the word neighbor means the people geographically located on the street or apartment close to you. MANY people don’t even know their neighbor’s names, let alone the names of their children. Going to such a neighbor in times of need would be unheard of. The story of the man knocking on the neighbor’s door in the middle of the night, asking for a loaf of bread because unexpected company came would NOT happen on most streets. It probably wouldn’t even happen in a lot of apartment complexes.
But something that IS common between then and now regarding neighbors is that they can seriously wound us with false allegations; by bearing false witness. I think it might even be easier today than it was in Solomon’s time because these accusations can be done anonymously. Nobody knows who held the ‘club’ or ‘sword’ that left them bleeding on the ground.
Damaged or destroyed reputations, children being taken away from their parents, legal trouble, even being forced from your home are some of the things false accusations can bring about. Actually, anything negative that could happen as a result of sin/bad behavior can also result from being falsely accused of the same. Imagine being the one falsely accused of abusing your children. Without POSITIVE PROOF to the contrary, you stand no better that the person who does abuse their children. And this is not only in the eyes of those making such accusations but in the eyes of ANYONE willing to take their word. Your other neighbors, business associates, your, so called, ‘friends’, the police, the legal system, and worst-case scenario, fellow prison inmates.
It takes a LOT to repair such damage. Some can never be undone. So, I urge anyone, before they go down the road of accusing someone, go to that person first. Try and deal with the matter between the two of you. And this is not MY idea but that of our authors, the apostle Paul, and Jesus Himself. If it can be resolved privately, you have gained a friend. This of course pre-supposes that the ‘false witness’ stems from a misunderstanding of events and not from a malicious act on the part of the accuser.
For those who spread false reports intending harm, PRAY for them. Pray that those who know you will not believe their lies. Be ready with the truth of the matter if approached. Pray that God will guard you against any harm they would do. “’Vengeance is Mine, I will repay’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19b).
Father God, only You can heal these kinds of wounds. You can change the hearts and minds of man. THANK YOU for protecting me from harm when another tried to harm me this way. Forgive me if I have harmed another with untrue accusations. Heal the wounds I may have caused. Help me to be a TRUE neighbor; not only to those geographically located in my presence but to ALL Your children.
