◄ Proverbs 21:28 ►
A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
Study Bible
A false witness will perish
The phrase "A false witness" refers to someone who deliberately gives untrue testimony or spreads lies. In the Hebrew context, the word for "false" is "שָׁקֶר" (sheqer), which means deception or falsehood. The role of a witness was crucial in ancient Israelite society, especially in legal matters, as it could determine the outcome of a case. The commandment against bearing false witness is one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16), highlighting its importance. The word "perish" in Hebrew is "אָבַד" (avad), which means to be destroyed or to vanish. This indicates a divine justice where falsehood ultimately leads to ruin. The verse underscores the moral and spiritual principle that truth is enduring, while lies are temporary and self-destructive.

but the man who listens to truth will speak forever
The phrase "the man who listens to truth" emphasizes the importance of being receptive to truth. The Hebrew word for "listens" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but understanding and obeying. This suggests a posture of humility and openness to divine wisdom. "Truth" in Hebrew is "אֱמֶת" (emet), which conveys reliability, faithfulness, and stability. The phrase "will speak forever" suggests that those who align themselves with truth have a lasting impact. Their words endure because they are grounded in reality and divine principles. This reflects the biblical theme that truth is eternal and those who embrace it participate in its enduring nature. The verse contrasts the fleeting nature of falsehood with the permanence of truth, encouraging believers to be steadfast in their commitment to honesty and integrity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Lying Witness
This refers to an individual who bears false testimony or spreads deceit. In biblical times, a witness held significant responsibility in legal and communal matters.

2. Man Who Listens to Truth
This person represents those who seek, hear, and adhere to truth, embodying wisdom and integrity.

3. Perish
This term indicates the ultimate downfall or destruction of the lying witness, both in a temporal and eternal sense.

4. Speak Forever
This phrase suggests the enduring legacy and influence of those who uphold and speak the truth.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Deceit
Lying leads to destruction. The Bible consistently warns that deceitful practices result in both temporal and eternal consequences.

The Enduring Power of Truth
Truth has a lasting impact. Those who speak truth align themselves with God's eternal nature and leave a legacy that endures.

The Importance of Listening
Listening to truth is foundational. Before one can speak truth, they must first be willing to hear and accept it.

Integrity in Witness
Upholding truth in testimony is crucial. Whether in legal matters or daily interactions, integrity in our words reflects our faith.

Spiritual Discernment
Discernment is necessary to distinguish truth from lies. Christians are called to develop spiritual discernment through prayer and study of the Word.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of a "lying witness" in Proverbs 21:28 relate to the Ninth Commandment in Exodus 20:16?

2. In what ways can we cultivate a habit of listening to truth in our daily lives?

3. Reflect on a time when speaking the truth had a lasting impact on your life or the lives of others. What did you learn from that experience?

4. How can we develop spiritual discernment to recognize truth in a world filled with deceit?

5. Considering James 3:5-6, how can we better control our speech to ensure it aligns with the truth and reflects our Christian values?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:16
The commandment against bearing false witness highlights the importance of truthfulness in God's law.

John 8:44
Jesus describes the devil as the father of lies, contrasting the nature of deceit with the truth of God.

Matthew 12:36-37
Jesus teaches that people will give an account for every careless word, emphasizing the weight of truthful speech.

James 3:5-6
James discusses the power of the tongue, illustrating how words can lead to destruction or life.
Sermons
The Just Judgments of the EternalE. Johnson Proverbs 21:27-31
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
FALSE, Constantly, Cut, Destroyed, Endure, Eternity, Forever, Heareth, Hears, Listens, Lying, Obeyeth, Perish, Speak, Speaketh, Speaks, Truth, Unchallenged, Witness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 21:28

     5350   injustice, hated by God
     5625   witnesses, false
     5951   slander
     8751   false witness

Library
Definition of Actual Grace
1. GENERAL NOTION OF GRACE.--The best way to arrive at a correct definition of actual grace is by the synthetic method. We therefore begin with the general notion of grace. Like "nature,"(3) grace (gratia, {GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is a word of wide reach, used in a great variety of senses. Habert(4) enumerates no less than fourteen; which, however, may be reduced to four. a) Subjectively, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Epistle xxi. To Constantina Augusta .
To Constantina Augusta [1593] . Gregory to Constantina, &c. Almighty God, who holds in His right hand the heart of your Piety, both protects us through you and prepares for you rewards of eternal remuneration for temporal deeds. For I have learnt from the letters of the deacon Sabinianus my responsalis with what justice your Serenity is interested in the cause of the blessed Prince of the apostles Peter against certain persons who are proudly humble and feignedly kind. And I trust in the bounty …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Epistle Cvi. To Syagrius, Ætherius, virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops .
To Syagrius, Ætherius, Virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops [65] . Gregory to Syagrius of Augustodunum (Autun), Etherius of Lugdunum (Lyons), Virgilius of Aretale (Arles), and Desiderius of Vienna (Vienne), bishops of Gaul. A paribus. Our Head, which is Christ, has to this end willed us to be His members, that through the bond of charity and faith He might make us one body in Himself. And to Him it befits us so to adhere in heart, that, since without Him we can be nothing, through Him we may …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others, but Keep their Own; and those who Give of their Own, yet Seize
(Admonition 22.) Differently to be admonished are those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own, and those who give of what they have, and yet desist not from seizing on what belongs to others. Those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own are to be admonished to consider carefully that the earth out of which they are taken is common to all men, and therefore brings forth nourishment for all in common. Vainly, then, do those suppose …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy.

Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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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