The Foundation of a Just Society
God gave the Ten Commandments as foundational guidelines for a life of faithfulness and holiness. The first four commandments (Exodus 20:1–11) focus on our relationship with God, which Jesus called the “first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:38). The remaining six commandments (Exodus 20:12–17) guide our interactions with others, reflecting the second great commandment: “to love [your] neighbor as [yourself]” (Matthew 22:39). This love for our neighbor isn’t merely a feeling; it’s expressed through a commitment to justice. As it says in Psalm 11:7, “The Lord is righteous, he loves justice.” Therefore, we are called to “follow justice and justice alone” (Deuteronomy 16:20).
The importance of justice is underscored in Exodus 23:1–9, which expands on the ninth commandment: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). This commandment is the cornerstone of an impartial and fair legal system. Any action that perverts justice—such as false accusations, malicious testimony, slander, or decisions based on favoritism, external pressure, or bribery—is a direct violation of both this commandment and the call to love our neighbor.
The Motivation for Bearing False Witness
The motivation for bearing a false report is often rooted in self-interest. People may lie to gain an advantage, protect themselves from consequences, harm a rival, or secure a desired outcome, whether it’s financial gain, social standing, or revenge. In essence, it’s a subversion of truth for personal benefit, which directly contrasts with the principles of justice and love.
The Danger of Following the Masses
The phrase “You shall not follow the masses in doing evil” (Exodus 23:2) is a powerful call to independent moral and ethical judgment. The “masses” can be any large group—a family, a tribe, a nation, or even the entire world. This command reminds us that the popularity of an action doesn’t make it right. What’s popular is not always what’s ethical or godly.
Biblical Examples of Following the Crowd
Throughout the Bible, we see numerous examples of people succumbing to group pressure and doing what is wrong:
- The Golden Calf: When Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Israelites, impatient and fearful, pressured Aaron to create a golden calf to worship, and “the people gathered themselves together” (Exodus 32:1) to participate in this idolatry.
- Jesus’ Trial: The same crowds who joyfully welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem days earlier were swayed by the religious leaders to shout, “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:13), choosing to release a murderer, Barabbas, instead.
- The Selling of Joseph: Reuben’s plan to rescue Joseph was thwarted when the rest of his brothers, acting as a group, decided to sell him into slavery instead.
- Peter’s Compromise: Even the apostle Peter, under pressure from certain Jewish believers, began to withdraw from eating with Gentiles in Antioch, earning a rebuke from Paul (Galatians 2:11–13).
Standing Against the Tide
The Bible also provides inspiring examples of individuals who stood firm in their convictions, even when everyone around them was doing wrong:
- Noah: In a world so steeped in sin that God decided to flood the earth, Noah “was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time” (Genesis 6:9) and built the ark according to God’s instructions.
- Joshua and Caleb: After exploring the Promised Land, ten of the twelve spies gave a fearful report, causing the people to rebel against God. Only Joshua and Caleb urged the Israelites to trust in God’s promise and take the land.
- Daniel and his Friends: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to compromise their faith, whether by eating the king’s rich food or bowing to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image.
- The Levites: When Moses returned from the mountain to find the people worshiping the golden calf, the Levites were the only tribe to side with Moses and God.
The Fallacy of “Everybody’s Doing It”
The statement “everybody’s doing it” is a common justification for unethical behavior, but it has no merit from a biblical or a just standpoint. As the examples above show, a group’s actions do not define what is right. We should not ask, “What is everyone else doing?” but rather, “What does God want me to do?” The allure of following the masses comes from a desire for acceptance, a fear of being different, or a belief that a crowd provides safety and anonymity. Our true compass should be God’s will, not the prevailing opinion of the day.
The Perversion of Justice and Partiality
When we consider bias in the legal system, we often think of favoritism toward the wealthy, as seen in James 2:9. People may favor the rich for the potential benefits or favors they can receive in return. However, the Bible also warns against being partial to the poor (Exodus 23:3).
Why Not Favor the Poor?
While it may seem righteous to favor a poor person, it is a distortion of true justice. God instructs us not to show partiality to the poor because:
- Justice is impartial. Justice isn’t about outcomes for specific groups; it’s about the truth of the case. A just verdict must be based on the facts and merits, not on the economic status of the parties involved.
- Pity is not justice. Showing favor to a poor person as a “Robin Hood” gesture, out of pity for their difficult life or a dislike for their rich opponent, is a misuse of the law. It turns the courtroom into a stage for social engineering rather than a place for discerning truth.
- The principle of equality. God’s justice applies equally to everyone, rich or poor. The same standard of truth and righteousness must be applied to all. This principle does not mean that God doesn’t care for the poor; on the contrary, He commands us to care for them in numerous ways, but justice is not the appropriate avenue for that care. Justice is about fairness, not charity.
We must treat all people justly and fairly, regardless of their position, background, or economic status. This is the principle of equal justice for all, a cornerstone of a truly righteous society.
By: Nathan Reynolds