The Ninth Commandment (No. CB078)

The paper The Ten Commandments (No. CB017) is the summary paper which should be reviewed prior to this series on each of the commandments. It includes a general overview of the purpose of God’s Laws and a brief description of each of the commandments.

Introduction

In this Bible Study series, we have reviewed that there are ten commandments. The Ten Commandments are a set of rules that God gave us in order for us to learn how to show our love for God and our love for our neighbor. The first four commandments help us to worship God correctly and are part of the First Great commandment. The last six make up the Second Great commandment and help us show the love of God to our family and neighbors.

In this lesson we will focus on the ninth commandment that is found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5

Exodus 20:16: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (RSV)

What does it mean to bear false witness?

Bearing false witness means to lie about or misrepresent the truth about some event, person, or thing. This commandment basically says “You shall not lie” and is given in the context against our neighbor, or someone else so we understand that speaking a lie has consequences that affect not only ourselves, but those around us. All justice and righteousness depends upon a true witness and that is why the concept of lying is against God’s laws.

Are there different types of lies?

Simply put, lying is lying. However, there are different ways people can break this commandment and might not even realize it.

Some people will tell what they consider a “little white lie”. They view this lie as a harmless lie to avoid hurting someone's feelings or getting someone in trouble. Sometimes, in circumstances like this, it is better to just be quiet or focus on something we can say that will be true. We have to remember though, that our yes should be yes and our no should be no, meaning we would speak the truth about others.

Sometimes people will exaggerate the truth and in this context, bragging and exaggerating the truth becomes a lie. Adding facts to the story or report that are not true is a form of lying. The opposite can also hold true if we don’t tell all of what we know when asked a question. Withholding key pieces of information can also be viewed as lying by omission.

We also need to be careful about judging others. If we judge others before we judge ourselves that is wrong judgement and thereby is considered bearing false witness.

Matthew 7:1-5 Judge not, that you be not judged. ²For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. ³Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (RSV)

To falsely accuse someone else of wrongdoing is also against the ninth commandment. Many times people do this to shift the blame off themselves. Biblical law even accounts for this, requiring two witnesses in order to accuse a person.

Just as we talked about in the eighth commandment, gossiping and slander also apply to the ninth commandment. When we gossip or say negative or untrue things about a person we are stealing a person's good name or reputation by breaking the eighth commandment and we are breaking the ninth commandment because we are bearing false witness. In today’s world of numerous forms of social media, it has become all too common to engage in forms of lying and bearing false witness which results in hurting others.

Proverbs 6 gives us a list of seven things God hates and considers an abomination. Of those qualities listed, three of them have to do with lying and bearing false witness.

Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things which the Lord hates, seven which are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and a man who sows discord among brothers. (RSV)

We can see God places a high priority on telling the truth at all times.

Who is the father of lies and what consequences did it have for God’s plan?

When Jesus was speaking to the Jews, he told them that Satan is the father of lies.

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (RSV)

Satan was not originally created as the father of lies. When Jesus said he was a murder from the beginning, he was referencing the point in time when iniquity was found in him. Prior to iniquity being found in him, Satan was named Lucifer which means lightbearer and is described as the signet of perfection.

Ezekiel 28:12-15 Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD: "You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. ¹³You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, carnelian, topaz, and jasper, chrysolite, beryl, and onyx, sapphire, carbuncle, and emerald; and wrought in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. ¹⁴With an anointed guardian cherub I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. ¹⁵You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. (RSV)

After that, Lucifer’s name was changed to Satan and he and the fallen host were cast to the earth. Instead of being a lightbearer, his new name, Satan, means accuser of the brethren. Sadly, Satan goes before God’s throne daily and accuses humans of wrong thoughts or actions.

Revelation 12:9-10 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. ¹⁰And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. (RSV)

God’s laws were created to build up, protect and help individuals, families and nations. Satan’s way is directly opposite of God's way. His lies are created to break down, attack and destroy individuals, families and nations. His way of life is dishonest and hurtful to all parties involved (see Who Is Satan? (No. CB060)).

That is why it is so important to God that we tell the truth. We don’t want to take on any of the qualities of Satan and when we lie, we are behaving more like Satan than the children of God. We end up cutting ourselves off from God’s Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 6 describes the Armor of God which enables us to guard against Satan. The very first piece of armour that is listed is truth.

Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ^18Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication… (RSV)

Truth becomes the foundation for all of the other pieces of armour and is a foundation in our relationship with God the Father. (See Introduction to the Armour of Eloah (No. CB123) and Loins Gird with Truth (No. CB126).)

Lying is in direct opposition to God. Hebrews tells us it is impossible for God to lie.

Hebrews 6:17-18 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath, ¹⁸that by two immutable things, in which it [is] impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before [us].

God is the source of truth and therefore His words are truth.

Psalm 119:160 RSV - The sum of thy word is truth; and every one of thy righteous ordinances endures for ever.

There are many scriptures in the Bible that teach us that God and His laws are Holy, Righteous, Goodness, Perfect and Truth. These are the qualities that we strive to develop as we learn and grow in God’s word. We like to call these the five centralities because these characteristics form the basis of our Christian life (see the paper God's Character and His Children (No. CB106)).

What about Rahab or the midwives at the time of Moses?

Even though the commandment states that we are not to bear false witness about our neighbor, there actually are some examples in the Bible where God’s people were blessed for lying to protect God’s people from harm. The book of Joshua contains the story of Rahab. When Joshua sent spies into Jericho, Rahab lied to protect them.

Joshua 2:1-14 And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." And they went, and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there. ²And it was told the king of Jericho, "Behold, certain men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land." ³Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, "Bring forth the men that have come to you, who entered your house; for they have come to search out all the land." ⁴But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them; and she said, "True, men came to me, but I did not know where they came from; ⁵and hen the gate was to be closed, at dark, the men went out; where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them." ⁶But she had brought them up to the roof, and hid them with the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. ⁷So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords; and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. ⁸Before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, ⁹and said to the men, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. ¹⁰For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites that were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. ¹¹And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any man, because of you; for the LORD your God is he who is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. ¹²Now then, swear to me by the LORD that as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a sure sign, ¹³and save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death." ¹⁴And the men said to her, "Our life for yours! If you do not tell this business of ours, then we will deal kindly and faithfully with you when the LORD gives us the land." (RSV)

In this example, Rahab knew of the God of Israel and chose to protect God’s people. She was blessed for preserving life.

Another example was in the time of the Exodus when the Pharaoh instructed the midwives to kill the new born baby boys. The Israelite midwives allowed the male children to live and were blessed for the protection and preservation of life.

Exodus 1:19-21 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and are delivered before the midwife comes to them.” ²⁰So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and grew very strong. ²¹And because the midwives feared God he gave them families.

This is of course not an open door to lie. However, we do always need to be mindful of our responsibility for preservation of life and obeying God versus man.

Acts.5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. (RSV)

What does God require of us and what should we as God’s people do?

We see from Deuteronomy 10:12-13 He requires five things from us

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” (RSV)

As a simple review we are to Fear Him, Walk in all His ways, Love and Serve Him and Keep His commandments.

Summary

We should practice telling the truth from a very young age. We will never be in trouble with God for telling the truth. Others will view us as an honest and trustworthy person which will help us in all of our relationships.

Sometimes, it is helpful to ask ourselves some questions before speaking negatively of another person:

Is it true? Do I have evidence for what I want to say? Is it completely true?
Does it really need to be said or is it better left unsaid?
Is it fair to everyone involved?
Is it helpful or hurtful?
If it’s said, will I be able to continue in brotherly love with all members, and if not, how can I restore that situation?

Finally, here are some helpful things to remember:

Tell the truth in love, even if it hurts.
Speak the truth whatever the circumstance.
Never assume anything because it could defame someone by mistake. Written defamation is libel, spoken defamation is slander.
Don’t make excuses for our actions, but be responsible.
Our lips need to preserve knowledge.
Speak wholesome words to one another as it has good spiritual value!
Combine speech with action!
God’s way is life and truth and Satan’s way is death and lies.
Put off our old nature and take the whole Armor of God. (Eph. 4:17-32).
Twist no one’s words around.
Let our “Yes be Yes” and our “No be No”.
Be forgiving.

In Psalm 101:7 God states, “He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence”. God desires for us to be honest and not bear false witness against our neighbor. Thankfully, God also knows that we are human and we fall short of our goals and sin. He blankets us with His mercy and grace and through our repentance, mends our relationships.

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