Much of what I see in the body of Christ today in relation to correction is predicated on assumption. What makes that even worse is the assumptions are often predicated on speculation. From there, the opinions formulated are founded on speculation and assumption. And I fail to see how this demonstrates our wisdom. Rather, I believe it shows our collective foolishness. Further, many will often use this same systemic approach in formulating their doctrinal arguments. And I dare say, much of our collective theology today is predicated on those three things: opinion, speculation, and assumption. I think it’s of absolute importance to correct this false framework upon which much of what we believe is built. Further, I believe it’s essential to found our house of beliefs, practices, and doctrines on the solid rock of the scriptures alone often stated as sola scriptura. That’s what I’d like to talk about in this post.
I would like to start from the position scripture refers to believers as being — witnesses. Every believer is a witness. Now, we can be true witnesses of Christ. Or we can we be false witnesses of Christ. In fact, the scripture calls Israel (and us) witnesses. In Isaiah 43:10, NKJV, we read, “‘You are My witnesses,’ says the LORD, ‘And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.’” In Acts 1:8, NKJV, we read Jesus’s command to His disciples (and us), “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
What was their false testimony comprised of when they appeared before this Jewish tribunal? Again, it’s of absolute importance for us as believers to know what scripture calls “false testimony” and know the harm that can be done by giving false testimony. Why is that? Scripture affirms our calling to be witnesses, as shown in Acts 1:8, Isaiah 43:10 and a host of other scriptures. That our witness should be truthful is revealed in the ninth of the Ten Commandments, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16, ESV. And in Deuteronomy 19:21, NLT, we read what the punishment was for bearing false testimony, “You must show no pity for the guilty! Your rule should be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” The purpose of this law on testimony is revealed in Deuteronomy 19:19, NLT, “you must impose on the accuser the sentence he intended for the other person. In this way, you will purge such evil from among you.”
“We can believe that we’re right in what we’re saying but our testimony can actually be false.”—Scott Wallis
Thankfully, in the New Testament and under Christ, that punishment for bearing false witness has been replaced by the Christian standard, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.” Matthew 5:38, 39, NIV. The person having the evil done to them by the false testimony given against them is to bear the harm done AND trust God to remedy the situation. Now, that doesn’t mean we take a doormat approach when facing false testimony. Yes, we can confront and refute false testimony. The Apostle Paul did so when in Acts 25:2, ESV, “the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul”. What was the Apostle Paul’s response? “Paul argued in his defense, ‘Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.’” Acts 25:8, ESV.
Going back, we are called to be witnesses, our witness should be truthful, false testimony can do great harm, and, although the punishment for false testimony has been replaced with Christ’s standard, we are allowed to refute any false testimony given against us. Now, going back to my statement about Christ and His approach in the handling of the false testimony given against Him, “He did not answer him, not even to one word, so as to amaze the governor exceedingly.” Matthew 27:14, Berean Literal Bible. Jesus did what He told us to do when false testimony was given against Him. Jesus practiced what He preached. And, in the end, it worked out well for Him: “God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names”. Philippians 2:9, Berean Standard Bible.
Now, let’s look at the false testimony given against Christ at His trial and see how opinion, speculation, and assumption was the basis for that false testimony given against Him. What did the false witnesses say against Jesus at His trial? Although not every false claim is shown, there’s one false claim that’s repeatedly shown: “This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ” Matthew 26:61, Christian Standard Bible. But didn’t Jesus say that? No! What did He say? The Apostle John clarifies what Jesus actually said in John 2:19, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” And here’s my entire point: What those false witnesses said that Jesus said, although being close to what He said, was not was He said. Instead, their false testimony was based on what they heard Him say not what He actually said.
There’s the rub. We can believe that we’re right in what we’re saying but our testimony can actually be false. Their testimony against Jesus was false. It was based entirely on what they heard not what He said. What they heard was Jesus threatening to tear down the temple of God. What Jesus said is if you destroy this temple (and the Apostle John clarifies He was speaking about His own body) I will raise it up again in three days. Notice, He didn’t say that He would rebuild the temple in three days, as those bearing false testimony said. No! Jesus said He would raise it (speaking of His own body) in three days. Further, and I think it’s essential for us to know this, we are responsible for what we hear. Jesus didn’t assume ANY responsibility for what people heard. Some might say, that’s not fair, He had a responsibility to communicate clearly. That’s not what scripture teaches. And Jesus didn’t accept that responsibility…ever!
Hear me! The false witnesses against Jesus were false because they heard Jesus say something He didn’t say. Instead, what they heard Him say was a falsehood — that He could (or would) destroy the temple. Now, that would be a serious crime, even today. If someone threatened to destroy the White House, they would certainly be labeled a terrorist. But if I, standing next to the White House said, “destroy this house and in three days I will raise it up”, it would be understandable why it’s possible for someone to think I was speaking about the White House and report me to the authorities. But they would be wrong. And their testimony would be predicated on what they heard, which was false.
How did they arrive at their false testimony? By failing to listen. Instead, those false witnesses said what they thought Jesus meant. How would you like to be in that position — bearing false testimony against Christ? Yikes!!! I don’t think it worked out too well for them. To use a popular song title by Mercy Me, “I Can Only Imagine”! Not a pleasant thought! What’d they do wrong? They used assumption, speculation, and opinion upon which to base their entire testimony of what Jesus said. Notice, they didn’t say what He said. Rather, they said what they thought Jesus said. And because of that, scripture calls them, false witnesses.
I’d think we’d do well if we started listening better, assuming less, stop speculating about what others meant by what they said, and hear what the really said. On that, we should formulate our thoughts, opinions, and testimony.
May we be good and true witnesses of Him!
Let us pray!
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