FAQs Mondays: What Is the Ninth Commandment?

Last week we answered the question, "What is the eighth commandment?".  You can read that post here.  This week, we answer the question, "What is the ninth commandment?".

Which is the ninth commandment?

The ninth commandment is, "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor" (Ex. 20:16).

What is require in the ninth commandment?

The ninth commandment requires that we maintain and promote truth between persons and that we preserve the good name of our neighbor and ourselves.  The Lord says, "These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the LORD" (Zech 8:16-17, ESV).  Proverbs says, "A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies" (Prov. 14:5, ESV).  Again it says, "A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful" (Prov. 14:25, ESV).  Solomon says, "A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth" (Eccl. 7:1). 

What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?

The ninth commandment forbids whatever dishonors truth, or injures our own, or our neighbor's good name.  Paul reminds, "Therefore, have put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another" (Eph. 4:25, ESV).  Again Paul states, "We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man" (2 Cor. 8:20-21, ESV).  David warns that only he "Who does not slander with his tongue and does not evil to his neighbor, not takes up a reproach against his friend," is able to dwell in the Lord's presence (Ps. 15:1-3, ESV).

Summary

Therefore we come to understand that the ninth commandment is about honoring truth.  Truth is a characteristic born out of God's nature.  Thus, it must be respected and preserved so that by speaking the truth we reflect God's glory to the world.  When a person lies, he speaks the language of the devil, because the devil is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).  As believers in Christ, let us be done with lying, and instead let us magnify the truth. 

Next week, we finish our look at the Ten Commandments by asking, "What is the tenth commandment?".  From there, we will move on the the remainder of the Baptist Catechism.