“And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.”
(Malachi 3:5)
Any position, attitude, or behavior that stands in opposition to the truth of God’s law is, by default, characterized as false, unsound, and counterfeit in God’s eyes. Thomas Wilson said, “Falsehood is against God (Isa. 59:13) because it is an idolatrous act (Jer. 10:14; Jer. 13:25) which overthrows the truth, or replaces it, for that which is evil.”[1] Scripture offers a number of references to falsehood, such as a false balance, false weights, false heart, false doctrine, false ways, false witnesses, and false apostles (to name a few). Not surprising, God is against any people that deal in false matters of any kind (Mal. 3:5).
One that is a teacher of lies, extorting the Scripture for profit or vainglory’s sake, is false. Matthew 7:15 warns, “Beware of false prophets.” Those who share in opinions or actions that are misaligned with the Word of God participate in false ways. David speaks in Psalm 119:128, “I hate all false ways.” Those who speak against the truth are false witnesses, such as those who sought false witness against Jesus (Matt. 25:59). This is also found in the narrative concerning Stephen, where the council members sought false witnesses to lie (Acts 6:11, 13). There are even false brethren in the church. Paul warns the church at Galatia of such as these, “Because of false brethren unawares brought in,” (Gal. 2:4). Whenever an erroneous doctrine is believed or taught, where worship is twisted and suited to men’s needs rather than being aligned with Scripture, it is a propagation of falsehood.
We must take inventory as to whether there is any falsehood in our own lives, for unless our theology is consistent with Scripture, we are holding to something that is in error. As much as “sorcerers, adulterers, false swearers, those that oppress the widow, the fatherless, and the workers in his wages” are monumental sins against God’s people, falsehoods can trickle down in many forms into the hearts of those believers who are not attuned to God’s Spirit and bathed in his Word. As much as God points his finger at sorcerers and adulterers, we may consider that he also points a finger at us if we are holding to any false way.
Take inventory of your soul. Humbly and prayerfully ask the Lord to show you where you are holding to or participating in falsehoods in your life. And then with a trembling heart and contrite spirit (a “poor” spirit as Christ defines it in Matthew 5:3), as well as a healthy fear of the Lord, ask God to cleanse your ways, make right your paths, and replace all that is in opposition to him with the pure and holy truths of God and his Word.
Contemplations:
- Lord, I see that in Malachi 3:5 you proclaim that you will come near to judgment, and that you will be a swift witness against the adulterers, and against the false swearers, etc. So I can be assured that when the Gospel is preached now, if there is profanity, idolatry, oppression, or other forms of falsehood and wickedness among your people, you will pass swift judgment against them. For you are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
- Lord, may we ever take heed to use your great and glorious Name in praise and adoration and worship, with holy reverence and utter respect… and never in rash, vain ways may we be found swearing or denouncing you. For I see in Malachi that your justice is a swift witness against all evil doers and such sins as these carry your curse of judgment.
- Help me Lord to be careful to speak every word with respect and holiness. Even in less serious settings and contexts, may I allow nothing from my mouth that is foolish, vain or false. Rather, may my words always be found honoring you in admiration and fear.
- Lord, let me not presume on my own good intentions and resolutions to be truthful, for all resolve is only acceptable to you if it is sincere and intentional and actually carried out as spoken.
Further References for Malachi 3:5:
Lev. 19:13; Zech. 5:4; Deut. 24:17; Isa. 10:1
[1] Thomas Wilson, A Complete Christian Dictionary (London: E. Cotes, 1661), 213.
