Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 77
Q: What is required in the ninth commandment?
A: The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man,1 and of our own2 and our neighbour's good name,3 especially in witness bearing.4
Zechariah 8:16. These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates.
1 Peter 3:16. Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Acts 25:10. Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
3 John 12. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we alsobear record; and ye know that our record is true.
Proverbs 14:5. A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
Proverbs 14:25. A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 78
Q: What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
A: The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth,1 or injurious to our own, or our neighbour's good name.2
Proverbs 19:5. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
Proverbs 6:16-19. These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness thatspeaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
1 Samuel 17:28. And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
Leviticus 19:16. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord.
Luke 3:14. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
Psalm 15:3. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
And the Heidelerg Catechism:
112. Q.
What is required
in the ninth commandment?
A.
I must not give false testimony against anyone,
twist no one's words,
not gossip or slander,
nor condemn or join in condemning anyone
rashly and unheard. 1
Rather, I must avoid all lying and deceit
as the devil's own works,
under penalty of God's heavy wrath. 2
In court and everywhere else,
I must love the truth, 3
speak and confess it honestly,
and do what I can
to defend and promote
my neighbour's honour and reputation. 4
1.Ps 15; Prov 19:5, 9; 21:28; Mt 7:1; Lk 6:37; Rom 1:28-32.
2.Lev 19:11, 12; Prov 12:22; 13:5; Jn 8:44; Rev 21:8.
3.1 Cor 13:6; Eph 4:25.
4.1 Pet 3:8, 9; 4:8.
Please especially take note of the words in the first part of the answer to question 112 of the Heidelberg: "rashly or unheard". If a person comes to you, speaking evil of another person, it is vitally important that you continue to believe the best about the person who was spoken of. If you have concerns, then confront them about it. Hearing the other person's side of the story is the loving thing to do. "4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." I Cor. 13
Love does not bear false witness against a neighbor. Another phrase worth our extra attention is the indictment against the tale bearer: "
I must avoid all lying and deceit
as the devil's own works,
under penalty of God's heavy wrath.
"
We, who are in the Lord, who have been purchased by Him, learn of His great love which He has lavished upon us, personally. The result of that is gratitude, rather than bitterness and wrath against our neighbors. Whether we have maligned our neighbors or joined in it, let us repent, and call to repentance those who have taken part in it. Let us not take it lightly. There are no respectable sins, and this one is no less damnable than the rest.
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