LORD’S DAY 43

Q. 112.  What is required in the ninth commandment?

A. That I bear false witness against no man,1 nor falsify any man’s words;2 that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer;3 that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly or unheard;4 but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit5 as the proper works of the devil, unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God;6 likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly, and confess it;7 also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able, the honor and good character of my neighbor.8 That I bear false witness against no man,1 nor falsify any man’s words;2 that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer;3 that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly or unheard;4 but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit5 as the proper works of the devil, unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God;6 likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly, and confess it;7 also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able, the honor and good character of my neighbor.8

  1. Prov. 19:5, 9. Prov. 21:28.
  2. Psa. 15:3.
  3. Rom. 1:29, 30.
  4. Mat. 7:1, &c. Luke 6:37.
  5. Lev. 19:11.
  6. Prov. 12:22. Prov. 13:5.
  7. 1 Cor. 13:6. Eph. 4:25.
  8. 1 Pet. 4:8.

LORD’S DAY 43

Bearing False Witness

1. What is the ninth commandment?

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 5:20.

2. What is forbidden by the ninth commandment?

God forbids that I bear false witness against any man, falsify any man’s words, or judge or join in condemning any man rashly or unheard. Proverbs 19:5, 9; 21:28; Psalm 15:3.

3. What two sins which characterize us does the ninth command condemn?

The sins of backbiting (defaming another person) and slander (falsely accusing another person). Romans 1:29, 30; Ephesians 4:25, 31, 32.

4. What sins does the ninth commandment warn us to avoid?

All sorts of lies and deceit as the proper works of the devil, unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God. Leviticus 19:11; Proverbs 12:22; 13:5.

5. What does God require of us in judgment of others?

That I love the truth, speak it uprightly, and confess it. I Corinthians 13:6; Ephesians 4:25.

6. What does God require of us in all our dealing with others?

That I defend and promote, as much as I am able, the honor and good character of my neighbor. I Peter 4:8.