By Very Rev. Nathaniel Garang Aduotdiit
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.
Our God is the God of the truth, and there is no unrighteousness in Him! In portions of his epilogue, Moses spoke to the children of Israel in, (Deuteronomy 32:3) NKJV, and he says, “For I proclaim the name of the Lord: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”
Similarly, the Lord expects that His sons and daughters will function the same. Injustice, falsehood, gossip and rumour-mongering (slander), are completely out of place for those who are called by the Name of the Lord. As part of the social justice system of the society, and the promotion of neighbour love, God particularly instituted, as one of the entire summary of the Laws, the law of loving your neighbour, as yourself! He told them in, (Leviticus 19:15-16) ESV that, “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbour. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord…..You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.”
It takes contentment, Discipline and Integrity to stay great! Great people have particularly consented that falsehood and false accusations, not only betray their careers; but also destroy generations. In Exo 23:7-8 BSB the Lord God Almighty Candidly told the Children of Israel “Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twist the words of the righteous.”
There are quite many causes of Falsehood and false accusations, these include;
Miscommunication: Poor communication or misunderstandings can lead to false accusations, as intentions may be misinterpreted.
Bias and Prejudice: Personal biases and prejudices, whether conscious or unconscious, can influence perceptions and lead to unfounded accusations, injustice and Falsehood. Like tribalism, sectarianism, religious biases, etc.
Emotional Distress: Intense emotions, such as anger or jealousy, can cloud judgment and contribute to making false accusations and falsehoods!
External Pressure: External influences, such as societal expectations or peer pressure, can push individuals to make false accusations to conform or gain approval.
Legal or Financial Motives: Some individuals may have incentives, such as financial gain or legal advantage, to make false accusations for personal benefit.
Social Media Influence: The rapid spread of information on social media can contribute to the creation and dissemination of false narratives, leading to unwarranted accusations.
Whatever your case, great leaders are leaders who have resolved privately to stay clear of bribe, injustice, and all forms of Falsehood and False accusations; knowing that greatness and all forms of injustice by default can’t peaceful coexist in one container!
God bless you.
Very Rev. Nathaniel Garang Aduotdiit is an opinion writer on biblical reality.