God’s Image • Commandment 9: Do Not Bear False Witness
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
— Exodus 20:16, LSB
As we bring this commandment’s study together, we return to the person our words concern: our neighbor.
An accusation can influence how others receive someone, whether they listen, and whether they offer care. Our responsibility therefore includes examining what we say, what we repeat, and what we support.
Correction Must Remain Truthful
We began by distinguishing rebuke from false witness. Scripture calls for correction with patience and teaching. It also directs the person correcting to practice gentleness and examine himself. Read 2 Timothy 4:2 and Galatians 6:1–5.
Disagreement requires careful examination of the teaching. It does not, by itself, establish every accusation made against its teacher.
Can we identify the actual statement and explain the disagreement without adding motives, changing words, or claiming knowledge we do not possess?
Hear Before Reaching a Conclusion
Proverbs warns against answering before hearing. It also describes how the first account can appear right until another person examines it. Read Proverbs 18:13, 17.
Our comparison of the temple statements showed why wording matters. John records Jesus speaking of others destroying the sanctuary and his raising it; Mark records an accusation presenting Jesus as the one who would destroy it. Changing who performs an action changes the claim. Read John 2:19–22 and Mark 14:55–59.
Before carrying a report forward, we must ask whether we have preserved what was actually said.
Examine What We Already Accept
Testing does not apply only to unfamiliar teaching. First John instructs believers to test the spirits, while Acts describes the Bereans receiving the word eagerly and examining the Scriptures. Read 1 John 4:1–6 and Acts 17:10–12.
Our agreement with a claim cannot replace that examination. Neither can a speaker’s position, reputation, or acceptance within a group.
Respond to the Harm We Recognize
Paul acknowledged approving Stephen’s killing and guarding the garments of those responsible. In the Samaritan account, Jesus distinguished those who passed the injured man from the one who showed mercy. Read Acts 22:20 and Luke 10:30–37.
These accounts preserve different actions and responsibilities. Together, they invite us to examine what our response provides: assistance to wrongdoing, indifference to suffering, or practical care.
Acknowledging human imperfection does not settle what needs correction or what the injured person needs.
Truth and Peace Together
Through Zechariah, YHWH (יהוה) instructs people to speak truth to their neighbors, administer truthful and peaceful judgment, and refrain from devising evil against one another. False oaths are among the things He hates. Read Zechariah 8:16–17.
Before we leave this commandment, let us ask:
Have I repeated something I never examined?
Have I protected a familiar group more readily than a person it harmed?
Will I correct my own words when they prove false?
Does my response demonstrate the love I profess?
Discern what is practiced while remaining careful about whom we condemn.
Next, we will begin Commandment 10: Do Not Covet, examining its wording and what it identifies as belonging to our neighbor.
Threads to Follow
Coveting: Begin with Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21.
Truth and peace: Keep Zechariah 8:16–17 beside our speech and decisions.
Love and the commandments: Return to Matthew 22:37–40 as we approach the final commandment.
The books were opened…
🌿Studies by Maria Emilia ~ 🗺️Continue exploring: Visit Bible Books to find studies organized by book of the Bible, along with related studies and links.
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