“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16)
This is No. 9 on the list of things God hates most; that list being the Ten Commandments. Most often, this commandment is framed in a legal context of testifying falsely in court, but there are many additional ways people can bear false witness against a neighbor. All of those ways involve lying. Lying is the core sin in the Ninth Commandment.
Individuals who lie cause great harm, and God promises to punish liars, though the punishment for breaking the Ten Commandments is not listed. The prophets were particularly hard on business owners who cheated or defrauded customers …
There was a prominent businesswoman in town known for her exceptional sales skills. People from all over flocked to her showroom to purchase her products. Wealthy and famous individuals admired her for providing them with great deals. Affluent social media influencers wholeheartedly praised her business acumen, encouraging less fortunate and vulnerable people to visit her showroom in search of fantastic bargains. The businesswoman was very persuasive. She could identify what mattered most to each customer, easing their concerns about her products.
However, when customers brought those products home, they did not meet their expectations. When they attempted to return these defective items, the businesswoman refused to honor her implied warranty. She blamed the customers for misusing the products or intentionally damaging them. Under no circumstances would she offer a refund or replacement. Because social media influencers endorsed this businesswoman, customers continued to trust her. They believed their negative experiences with her products must be their own fault. They purchased even more products that didn’t work.
Investigative journalists exposed her products as cheap and flimsy. Despite losing multiple lawsuits, the businesswoman main-tained a good reputation. The rich and powerful continued to defend her, misleading the poor and vulnerable. Everything that came from the businesswoman’s mouth sounded plausible and true. They genuinely liked her and trusted her.
A few people shopped at other stores. Although the products available were less glamorous, they remained usable. As more individuals began shopping elsewhere, it negatively impacted the businesswoman’s profits. For their own selfish reasons, the wealthy and influential came to her aid, vowing she was honest and her products were of good quality. The poor and vulnerable were persuaded to continue purchasing products that did not meet their needs.
Let the buyer beware, but more so, let the community insist liars be punished. Let anyone with ears, hear.
