◄ Proverbs 24:28 ►
Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
Study Bible
Do not testify
The phrase "do not testify" is rooted in the Hebrew word "עֵד" (ed), which means to bear witness or to give evidence. In the ancient context, testimony was a serious matter, often determining the outcome of legal disputes. The command here is a call to integrity, urging believers to refrain from giving false or unnecessary testimony. This aligns with the Ninth Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16), emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and justice in community life.

against your neighbor
The term "neighbor" (רֵעַ, rea) in Hebrew refers to a fellow member of the community, not just someone living nearby. This broadens the scope of the command to include all individuals with whom one interacts. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the call to love and respect all people, as Jesus taught in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), where the definition of "neighbor" is expanded to include even those we might not naturally consider.

without cause
The phrase "without cause" (חִנָּם, chinnam) implies acting without justification or reason. It warns against the misuse of one's words to harm others unjustly. Historically, false accusations could lead to severe consequences, including social ostracism or legal penalties. This admonition serves as a reminder to weigh our words carefully and to ensure that any testimony given is grounded in truth and necessity.

and do not deceive
"Do not deceive" (תַּפְתֶּה, tapteh) is a direct command against misleading others. Deception undermines trust and can lead to the breakdown of relationships and community cohesion. In the biblical context, deception is often associated with sin and is contrary to the nature of God, who is truth (John 14:6). This phrase calls believers to reflect God's character by being honest and transparent in their dealings.

with your lips
The phrase "with your lips" (בִּשְׂפָתֶיךָ, bisfatecha) emphasizes the power of spoken words. In the ancient world, oral communication was the primary means of conveying information, making the integrity of one's speech crucial. The New Testament echoes this sentiment in James 3:5-6, where the tongue is described as a small part of the body that can cause great harm. This serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with the ability to speak and the impact our words can have on others.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Neighbor
In the context of Proverbs, a neighbor refers to anyone with whom one has a relationship or interaction, not limited to those living nearby. The term emphasizes the importance of community and interpersonal relationships.

2. Testifying
This refers to giving a statement or bearing witness, often in a legal or formal setting. In ancient Israel, testimony was crucial in legal proceedings, and false testimony could lead to severe consequences.

3. Deception
The act of misleading or lying. In the biblical context, deception is strongly condemned as it undermines trust and justice.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Truthfulness
Truthfulness is foundational to justice and community trust. Bearing false witness can destroy relationships and lead to injustice.

Guarding Our Speech
We must be vigilant about the words we use, ensuring they reflect truth and integrity. Deceptive speech can have far-reaching negative consequences.

The Role of Intentions
Our intentions matter. Testifying against someone without cause or with deceitful intentions is not only harmful but also sinful.

Community and Accountability
As members of a community, we are accountable to one another. Upholding truth strengthens communal bonds and reflects God's character.

Reflecting God's Character
God is a God of truth. As His followers, we are called to reflect His nature by being truthful in all our dealings.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the command to not testify against your neighbor without cause relate to the broader biblical theme of justice?

2. In what ways can deceptive speech harm both the speaker and the community? Can you think of a modern example?

3. How does the teaching in Proverbs 24:28 align with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament about honesty and integrity?

4. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to speak deceitfully. What were the consequences, and how could you have handled it differently?

5. How can we cultivate a habit of truthfulness in our daily interactions, and what role does accountability play in this process?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:16
This verse, part of the Ten Commandments, directly addresses the issue of bearing false witness, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness in maintaining justice and righteousness.

Matthew 5:37
Jesus teaches about the importance of honesty and integrity in speech, reinforcing the principle of letting one's "yes" be "yes" and "no" be "no."

Ephesians 4:25
Paul instructs believers to put away falsehood and speak truthfully to their neighbors, highlighting the unity and trust required within the body of Christ.
Sermons
The Ignobler and the Nobler SpiritE. Johnson Proverbs 24:17, 18, 29
Just Conduct to Our NeighbourE. Johnson Proverbs 24:26-29
Retaliation RepudiatedProverbs 24:28-29
Revenging InjuriesGeorge Wallis, D.D.Proverbs 24:28-29
The Nature and Extent of False WitnessS. Clarke, D.D.Proverbs 24:28-29
Wrong Testimony Against NeighboursHomilistProverbs 24:28-29
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Cause, Deceive, Enticed, Hast, Lips, Neighbor, Neighbour, Nought, Violent, Witness, Wouldest
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 24:28

     5164   lips
     5625   witnesses, false
     6147   deceit, practice
     8452   neighbours, duty to

Library
The Sluggard's Garden
'I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31. And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.'--PROVERBS xxiv. 30, 31. This picture of the sluggard's garden seems to be intended as a parable. No doubt its direct simple meaning is full of homely wisdom in full accord with the whole tone of the Book of Proverbs; but we shall scarcely do justice to this saying of the wise …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Broken Fence
A sermon (No. 3381) published on Thursday, November 20th 1913. Delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and to, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down, Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received instruction."--Proverbs 24:30-32. This slothful man did no hurt to his fellow-men: …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Sluggard's Farm
A sermon (No. 2027) intended for reading on Lord's Day, June 3rd 1888, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction."--Proverbs 24:30-32. No doubt Solomon was sometimes glad …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Epistle xxxvi. To Maximus, Bishop of Salona .
To Maximus, Bishop of Salona [113] . Gregory to Maximus, &c. When our common son the presbyter Veteranus came to the Roman city, he found me so weak from the pains of gout as to be quite unable to answer thy Fraternity's letters myself. And indeed with regard to the nation of the Sclaves [114] , from which you are in great danger, I am exceedingly afflicted and disturbed. I am afflicted as suffering already in your suffering: I am disturbed, because they have already begun to enter Italy by way …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Portrait of a Drunkyard
'Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30. They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34. Yea, thou shalt be as …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

2 Cor. Iii. 5
Not that we are sufficient of our selves, to think any thing as of our selves: but our Sufficiency is of God. IN my former Discourse upon these Words, I shewed you that it was the sole Design of St. Paul in them, to declare, that, in the setting about, and executing, the difficult and laborious Work of an Apostle, He did not arrogate to himself the Power, and Ability, and Success, which he had: but that he ascribed his Sufficiency for this great Work, as well as his being designed to it, to God himself, …
Benjamin Hoadly—Several Discourses Concerning the Terms of Acceptance with God

How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out-Breakings Away.
The next part of our sanctification is in reference to our daily failings and transgressions, committed partly through the violence of temptations, as we see in David and Peter, and other eminent men of God; partly through daily infirmities, because of our weakness and imperfections; for, "in many things we offend all," James iii. 2; and, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; "a righteous man falleth seven times," Prov. xxiv. 16; "there is not …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Necessity of Actual Grace
In treating of the necessity of actual grace we must avoid two extremes. The first is that mere nature is absolutely incapable of doing any thing good. This error was held by the early Protestants and the followers of Baius and Jansenius. The second is that nature is able to perform supernatural acts by its own power. This was taught by the Pelagians and Semipelagians. Between these two extremes Catholic theology keeps the golden mean. It defends the capacity of human nature against Protestants and …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the Practice of Piety.
Those hindrances are chiefly seven:-- I. An ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The Scriptures mistaken are these: 1. Ezek. xxxiii. 14, 16, "At what time soever a sinner repenteth him of his sin, I will blot out all," &c. Hence the carnal Christian gathers, that he may repent when he will. It is true, whensoever a sinner does repent, God will forgive; but the text saith not, that a sinner may repent whensoever …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

A Treatise on Good Works
I. We ought first to know that there are no good works except those which God has commanded, even as there is no sin except that which God has forbidden. Therefore whoever wishes to know and to do good works needs nothing else than to know God's commandments. Thus Christ says, Matthew xix, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." And when the young man asks Him, Matthew xix, what he shall do that he may inherit eternal life, Christ sets before him naught else but the Ten Commandments. …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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