Topic(s): Bible Authority, Christian Living

Bob Prichard

The ninth commandment states: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). The essence of the commandment is honesty. It seems that many today believe that honesty is not only not the best policy, but unnecessary except in the most extreme circumstances. Our words do matter, though. The psalmist said, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). The words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts are inseparably linked. The enemies of Jesus did not use their tongues for truth. “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matthew 12:34-35).

The prohibition of bearing false witness is most literally giving false witness in court. Lying under oath is always a serious crime. Paul told the Ephesians, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25). Falsehood in court is a serious sin against one’s neighbor. For the Christian, lying hurts the very members of the body of Christ.

Words falsely used can have devastating effect. Lies such as slander, designed to hurt others, are especially hurtful. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their slander of John the forerunner of His ministry. “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil” (Matthew 11:18). Christ’s enemies would tell any lie to stop Him. “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death” (Matthew 26:59). James warned that we must be kind and honest with our tongues: “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (James 3:9-10). To remain silent in the face of evil, withholding love and concern, also violates the command.

Jesus called Satan the father of lies (John 8:43-44). When we lie because we are filled with hatred, or to make ourselves look better, or to avoid unpleasantness, or for financial gain, we place ourselves squarely in the camp of Satan.

The words of the Christian must be words of truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Solomon warned, “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish” (Proverbs 19:9). Revelation 21:8 warns: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Liars face the same fate as murderers and idolaters! Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Its subject is love of God’s word and love of truth!