Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.143. Which is the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Exodus 20:16
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 78. What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbour’s good name [q].
Review:
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.145. What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbours, as well as our own [b], especially in public judicature [c]; giving false evidence [d], suborning false witnesses [e], wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth [f]; passing unjust sentence [g], calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked [h]; forgery [i], concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause [k], and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves [l], or complaint to others [m]; speaking the truth unseasonably [n], or maliciously to a wrong end [o], or perverting it to a wrong meaning [p], or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice [q]; speaking untruth [r], lying [s], slandering [t], backbiting [v], detracting [w], tale bearing [x], whispering [y], scoffing [z], reviling [a], rash [b], harsh [c], and partial censuring [d]; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions [e];
Today:
flattering [f], vain-glorious boasting [g]; thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others [h]; denying the gifts and graces of God [i]; aggravating smaller faults [k]; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession [l]; unnecessary discovering of infirmities [m]; raising false rumors [n], receiving and countenancing evil reports [o], and stopping our ears against just defense [p]; evil suspicion [q]; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any [r], endeavoring or desiring to impair it [s], rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy [t]; scornful contempt [v], fond admiration [w]; breach of lawful promises [x]; neglecting such things as are of good report [y], and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name [z].
flattering [f],
[f] Psalm 12:2-3 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. Ver.3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
vain-glorious boasting [g];
[g] 2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others [h];
[h] Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Ver.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
1 Corinthians 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
Acts 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
Exodus 4:10-14 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. Ver.11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Ver.12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. Ver.13 And he said, O my LORD, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. Ver.14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, etc.
denying the gifts and graces of God [i];
[i] Job 27:5-6 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. Ver.6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
Job 4:6 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
aggravating smaller faults [k];
[k] Matthew 7:3-5 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Ver.4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Ver.5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession [l];
[l] Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Proverbs 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Genesis 3:12-13 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. Ver.13 And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Jeremiah 2:35 Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.
2 Kings 5:25 — And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
Genesis 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
unnecessary discovering of infirmities [m];
[m] Genesis 9:22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
Proverbs 25:9-10 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: Ver.10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
raising false rumors [n],
[n] Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
receiving and countenancing evil reports [o],
[o] Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
and stopping our ears against just defense [p];
[p] Acts 7:56-57 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Ver.57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
Job 31:13-14 If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; Ver.14 What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?
evil suspicion [q];
[q] 1 Corinthians 13:5 (Charity) doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1 Timothy 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any [r],
[r] Numbers 11:29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!
Matthew 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,
endeavoring or desiring to impair it [s],
[s] Ezra 4:12-13 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations. Ver.13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy [t];
[t] Jeremiah 48:27 For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.
scornful contempt [v],
[v] Psalm 35:15-16 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, — Ver.16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. Ver.21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
Matthew 27:28-29 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. Ver.29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
fond admiration [w];
[w] Jude Ver. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
Acts 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
breach of lawful promises [x];
[x] Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
neglecting such things as are of good report [y],
[y] 1 Samuel 2:24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord’s people to transgress.
and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name [z].
[z] 2 Samuel 13:12-13 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly. Ver.13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, etc.
Proverbs 5:8-9 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Ver.9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
Proverbs 6:33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
End of Lesson, Day 138
For Further Study:
In what way do you lie or injure the good name of someone (including God) when you violate one of the other commandments? Example: false weights and measures (8th commandment) are a lie (it looks like an ounce, but it really isn't). The only way to justify this lie would be to allege that the merchant was cheating you, and therefore you had to pay him less than the true price, thereby injuring his good name.
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