What to Think About When You Are Watching All of These Steroid Accusations
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Deuteronomy 19 says: 15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. 16 If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, 17 then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. 18 The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, 19 then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evilfrom your midst. 20 And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you. 21 Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
I cringe at how easily the court of public opinion can turn on a star athlete or other famous person over a singular accusation, whether it be steroids, drugs, or infidelity. We’ve seen the outcome go both ways. No matter the outcome, it’s a shame that people want to be the star and be the first to break a story they think will make them rich.
If you are ever called into court, make sure you take your integrity with you. Even if it’s not in court, and you need to give testimony about another person, please take what you say seriously. Someone may lose their job, their reputation, their freedom, or their family as a result of your words.
How hard is it corroborate your story with even just one other person?
I know, there are exceptions to everything, and we can all think of those circumstances where even one infraction is one too many, but we try to make every case into one of those situations. We have become too flippant with what we believe to be the most dangerous offense or what is in the best interest of society at large. Just who needs to know these things?
Why would God set up this system? To protect people who get away with something, one crime at a time, against one person at a time, in secret, beyond traditional legal sanctions? No, so that people don’t become casual with the law.
In these words of Deuteronomy are warnings for how we treat one another. Value due diligence. If someone escapes the justice of the courts, they will not escape the justice of God.
A couple of reminders to think about regarding these words:
(1) People in court are not only appearing before the judge, they are appearing before God
God is watching. God hears. God knows the heart. God knows what we conceal. So, God will ultimately judge where the world might fail.
This should make us watch ourselves, even when we’re not on trial. The testimony we give is also heard from God and we must make sure we are blameless in what we say. If you cannot in good conscience say something they demand of you, be honest and admit it, and accept the responsibility it bears. Better to be right before God than before man.
(2) Lawyers and judges need our prayers
Contrary to popular belief, most lawyers and judges are not corrupt, ungodly, unscrupulous people. They want to do the right thing and make sure that justice prevails. Because of our rights, sometimes they will get put in positions they would prefer not to be in. Pray for them in all things, that they would be able to do the right thing, and that the law would not hinder justice from being proclaimed.
Judges especially must provide due diligence. They must surround themselves with people they trust, because their words hold the weight of the justice system, and societies rise and fall on how justice is administered. Judges can mold a society or destroy it. That is a lot of power to command, and we must pray fervently that all judges hold that authority in great awe, knowing the trust that is put in them to keep the peace and protect the rule of law. Pray that those they surround themselves with are trustworthy, with the highest subscription to morality and concern for the sanctity of truth.
(3) God determines what is proper justice
We might not always agree with the ruling of a court, but that does not mean we should lose faith in those who administer justice. They might not agree with the law either, but they are bound to uphold it, for the sake of order. If we take matters into our own hands, we transgress the order that God places over our societies. We must make sure we are in submission to the authorities, always seeking to do what is right according to the Word of God and keeping our conscience clean. If secular law and the Word of God collide and we find ourselves on the wrong side of secular law, God will commend our righteousness and faithfulness. The same goes for those who twist the law for their purposes. God will determine due punishment.
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As with all things law related, we understand the grace under which we live. Even under the most heinous of circumstances, we can be forgiven before the sight of our Heavenly Father. When He sees repentance, He acts accordingly. A changed heart and a changed life according to the way of Jesus Christ is pleasing in the sight of Almighty God. Our hope and prayer is always that no matter what evil is committed in our midst, that those on the wrong side of it would turn to God for His intervention, so that they might join in the everlasting choir and not incur eternal punishment. God’s grace is sufficient for all, and all need it. May all call out for it and receive it. Amen.
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