Bearing False Witness

Reading Romans 12:9-13:10

Which is the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment is, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." (Exodus 20:16, KJV).

What is required in the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man,1 and of our own2 and our neighbor's good name,3 especially in witness-bearing.4

1. (Zechariah 8:16b, KJV).
2. (1Peter 3:16, KJV) (Acts 25:10a, KJV).
3. (3John 1:12a, KJV).
4. (Proverbs 14:5a, KJV).(Proverbs 14:25a, KJV).

What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth,1 or injurious to our own 2 or our neighbour's good name.3

1. (Romans 3:13a, KJV).
2. (Job 27:5, KJV).
3. (Psalms 15:3, KJV).
Review the following passages

Jos 2:1-13
2 Kings 8:7-15
2 Kings 10:18-19, 28, 30

Did the characters in these passages act righteously? Was their deceit acceptable to God? (Question from Jessica)

What about God? What is His character?

Psalms 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
1 John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

We are to be different! Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

What is a lie? Examples

• Flattery Ps 12:3 (You are so beautiful)
• Exaggerate
• White Lies (They are Harmless? Santa Claus/Tooth Fairy)
• Lies of Convenience (I am not at work/home)

Gossip – How often do we repeat things
Leviticus 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people:

We should think before we speak
Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

It can also be wrong to be silent
Leviticus 5:1 And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

We should remember that we are to please God. It is His approval that we should be seeking.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.