Q. 23. What is meant by the ninth commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”?
We should speak the truth in love, upholding our neighbor’s good reputation and putting a charitable construction on everything. God forbids all harmful and self-serving speech, such as lying, deceit, doublespeak, gossip, backbiting, and slander.
Leviticus 19:15–16; Psalm 5:6; 12:2–4; 15:1–5; 34:13; Proverbs 6:16–19; 10:12, 18; 11:13; 12:19, 22; 14:5, 25; 16:28; 17:9; 20:19; 21:23; 22:1; 26:20; Psalm 15:1–3; 34:13; 101:5; Zechariah 8:16; Matthew 5:33–37; 12:33–37; 1 Corinthians 13:7; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Ephesians 4:15, 25, 29; Philippians 2:3; Colossians 3:8–9; 4:6; 1 Timothy 5:13; Titus 3:1–2; James 1:26; 1 Peter 2:1; 3:5–6; 4:11.
- WSC 77–78
- Heidelberg Catechism 112
Speak. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). “All people will give account of all the idle words they have spoken, which the world regards as only playing games” (Belgic Confession 37).
The truth … lying. God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18); he is perfectly truthful (Psalm 119:160), and requires simple, straightforward, honest speech from his creatures (Matthew 5:37). Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).
In love. It is not enough to speak true words; we must speak from true motives, to glorify God and edify others, with appropriate gentleness and respect.
Good reputation. It is a grievous sin to bring unnecessary harm to our neighbor’s name, though we are not bound to protect the reputation of others at any cost (e.g., when it is necessary to expose sin to protect others or pursue justice against evildoers).
Charitable construction. Love believes the best that can be reasonably believed of others, and gives them the benefit of the doubt (1 Corinthians 13:7). Love does not assume or speak the worst of others.
Harmful. Words have the power to build up or to tear down, to give life or destroy it (Proverbs 18:21).
Doublespeak. We violate the spirit of the law when we are ambiguous or evasive with our words in order to deceive or mislead others.
Gossip. It is wrong to pass on what was told to us in confidence, or to spread a rumor, especially when we have not confirmed its truthfulness.
Backbiting. It is wrong to speak maliciously about others behind their backs. If our brother sins against us, we should approach them privately (Matthew 18:15).
- Coming soon