These are the fifth and sixth things that Solomon lists among the seven things that are an abomination to the Lord (Prov. 6:16-19). Of the phrase “feet that be swift in running to mischief, Matthew Henry observed, “Vigor and diligence in the prosecution of sin—feet that are swift in running to mischief, as if they were afraid of losing time or were impatient of delay in a thing they are so greedy of. The policy and vigilance, the eagerness and industry, of sinners, in their sinful pursuits, may shame us who go about that which is good so awkwardly and so coldly. (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Proverbs).
Samuel said of God, “He will keep the feet of his saints” (I Sam. 2:9). God will order and direct all their goings, and keep them from every evil way. The psalmist wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). When one allows his steps to be directed at all times by God’s word, he will never have the feet described by Solomon that the Lord hates. And when he allows his feet to be directed by God he can boldly say, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:3).
Solomon warned of sinners who would entice you (Prov. 1:10), and among other things he spoke of their feet. “My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood” (Prov. 1:15-16). It is obvious from the Scriptures that our feet can be “swift to running to mischief,” resulting in sin, or they can be used to “walk in the light as He is in the light” (I John 1:7). The psalmist prayed, “For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?” (Psalm 56:13). It is also clear that man’s choice is involved in deciding which way his feet will walk. Again, the psalmist tells us, “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word” (Psalm 119:101). Let each of us guard our feet and train them to follow God’s “lamp, and light to our path.”
The sixth one, “a false witness that speaks lies” is related to “a lying tongue.” (See previous article on this.) However, “a false witness that speaks lies” identifies one who, even on his oath before a court of justice, tells anything but the truth. One of the most disgusting and detestable things a man can do, in my judgment, is refuse to speak truth. When a man can look you in the eye, and speak a lie, even when the truth would be easier, it speaks volumes about his character. When you add to that the idea of not only speaking lies but doing so under oath, it intensifies the guilt.
Every child of God is charged, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another” (Eph. 4:25).
-Paul Wilmoth
