Edifying love is building others up with words of truth and grace.

“The tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God’s praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil.”

~Thomas Watson

Edifying love is building others up with words of truth and grace.

Outline

• The Court of Law

• The Court of Public Opinion

• The Court of Love

The Court of Law• The immediate meaning of the ninth

commandment is that…

- a witness in a legal dispute is forbidden from giving false testimony that would either condemn an innocent person or exonerate a guilty person.

The Court of Law• Pray for our civil servants in the justice system.

• Pray for those who are called as witnesses.

• We should not be quick to push for what we think is justice.

Court of Public Opinion• The Rule of Categories

- Each of the commandments, though specific, are themselves categories of behaviors.

- What is prohibited is representative of a category of behavior that is forbidden.

Court of Public Opinion“It is not just about the false testimony that people give in court, but also about the lies they tell their neighbors over the fence and the rumors they whisper between the pews at church.”

~Philip Ryken

Court of Public Opinion• Ultimately, bearing false witness is a word or

act that intentionally deceives in order to harm a person or to promote oneself.

Court of Public Opinion• Bearing false witness is intentionally deceiving

others in order to harm a person.

“More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who

would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal must I now restore?”

(Psalm 69:4, ESV)

Court of Public Opinion• A false witness stems from hatred towards a

person.

“More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause…”

(Psalm 69:4, ESV)

Court of Public Opinion• A false witness brings division among people.

“…and one who sows discord among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:19, ESV)

Court of Public Opinion• A false witness robs a person of their reputation.

“The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;”

(Psalm 119:69, ESV)

Court of Public Opinion“Reputation is something quickly stolen, but not quickly returned.”

~Martin Luther

“For if a good name is more precious than riches, a man, in being robbed of his good name, is not less injured than if he were robbed of his goods.”

~John Calvin

Court of Public Opinion• A false witness is from Satan.

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the

beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

John 8:44, ESV

Court of Public Opinion• A false witness is hated by God.

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him…a false witness who

breathes out lies” (Proverbs 6:19, ESV)

Court of Public Opinion• Bearing false witness is intentionally

deceiving others in order to promote oneself.

“Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of

the proceeds of the land?” Acts 5:4

Court of Love• Is what I am about to say true?

• If so, does it really need to be said to this person in this conversation?

• Am I in the right to listen to what this person is saying?

Court of Love• Would I put it this way if the person I am

talking about were here to listen?

• Am I stating accurately my own actions and failures?