New Yorkers are known for being tough, argumentative, even rude—common traits in a densely populated city. But they have another trait that may not seem to fit: they don’t want to get involved. If a purse is stolen, it’s “I didn’t see nuthin,’ I don’t know nuthin.’” No one wants to help.
But sometimes justice requires you to step up. You can’t be an honest person and keep secrets when you know something that may help. Justice is a worthy goal—if you can get us there, God expects you to speak up.
“Now if a person sins after he hears a public order to testify when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his punishment” Leviticus 5:1.
Yesterday a man came to court in shackles and an orange jumpsuit. He was in trouble already for refusing to testify. He sat on the stand and answered every question the same way: “I refuse to testify.” In the end, the judge added 18 months to the man’s prison sentence because of his refusal to cooperate. (The witness neither possessed nor asserted a fifth amendment privilege—his testimony would not have put him at risk.)
Can you see the problem? We need to hear the truth before we can render a just verdict. His refusal may mean the jury renders an unjust verdict. A murderer may go free because this witness won’t tell us what he knows. (All the witnesses appear to have been threatened; one of them testified about threats he received.)
You will probably never see a murder or have to risk your own life to tell the truth. Still, it can be scary. There are always ramifications, consequences. But INTEGRITY CREATES COURAGE as I have said before. Be honest, live a life of integrity, and God will give you courage when you need it.
THANK YOU, GOD, for the Bible and the amazing, PRACTICAL laws that guide us and our society. Help us walk in honesty, integrity, and COURAGE. Bless America’s criminal justice system with GOOD results. Bless our nation today.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 