Ten Commandments, Ninth Command

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16 NIV

The Bible says that liars of the Truth will end up in Hell.

The ninth commandment is no joking matter. This one command is quite possibly the most broken, and one we tend to see as minor sin. Our God, however, does not qualify good and bad sin. Sin is sin to God, and He can tolerate none of it. One white lie is as bad as a cold-blooded murder to a Righteous and Holy God.

Yet, most of us break the command every day. Oh sure, I know you don’t go to court every day to testify against your friends, but have you ever talked less than kindly about them? Have you ever complained about their actions, repeated a rumor, criticized their work, or summarized your theory about their life? Let me put it in simpler terms. Do you gossip?

When you say something about someone else that may damage his or her reputation, you have broken the ninth commandment, and God says Hell is good enough for you! Praise God for the grace of His Son Jesus, (grace and grace alone will get you to Heaven) but you have broken His holy law when you speak against another.

What do you have on your heart or mind today? (Remember, sin is not confined to action, but also applies to hidden thought.) Is there something you’re thinking about another person? Does what you’re thinking build them up or tear them down? Would you repeat it to God? If you did, would God be proud of you for thinking it?

Momma (and Thumper) knew best when she said, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Let that be your goal today. It will be tough! You may have to bite your tongue a few times. You may not be able to talk for weeks.

But, Praise God, you will be on your way to obeying the ninth commandment. Soon you’ll start talking again. People will love what you have to say. God will be pleased!

Speak the truth in love today!