|
THE 9TH COMMANDMENT:
GOD’S PROTECTION OF A NAME
(Exodus 20:16)
…We are made in
God’s likeness and part of that likeness gives us the ability to __speak__. We are
to use our words to counsel, encourage and be a blessing to all others. We
damage, damn, and __destroy__ people when we speak untrue words about them.
…The
Bible tells us that a
__name__ is more valuable than riches. (Prov22:1) “to be
esteemed”
…Few
forms of injury done by one man to another is more despicable than this…
…God has
already commanded us concerning the use of His own name, (3rd), and
now tells us that those who bear His image are also
__not__ to have their names
maligned…
…”A
middle-aged pastor in a small farming community had been falsely accused. A
vicious…”
FOUR QUESTIONS HELPING US TO
LOVE OTHERS ENOUGH TO PROTECT THEIR NAMES FROM ABUSE.
I. WHAT DOES “BEARING FALSE TESTIMONY” MEAN IN OUR LIVES? (Ex 20:16)
-
In a
narrow sense, this commandment prohibited
__lying__ against our neighbor in a court
of law. This is perjury. But this goes well beyond the courtroom…
-
In the
broad sense, in whatever way we
__injure__ our neighbors by unjustly defaming them,
we are counted as false witnesses before God.
-
Calvin
tells us, “God here makes a provision for every man’s character and
__good__ name,
less they be weighed down by false accusation.” Life and
__death__…in the tongue.
II. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON WAYS WE BREAK THIS COMMANDMENT?
-
Slander. A lie invented and circulated with malicious intentions. Jesus was
slandered, when called, “the friend of sinners.” The thought, He too was one…
-
__Gossip__.
This is the passing along of evil reports about others. It is satanic...
-
Leaving
a false impression upon the minds of people by a mere hint or suggestion.
-
Insinuation, which is often in a
__question__. Satan’s attack on Job, (1:9) “Does
Job fear God for nothing?” Such questions are slippery libels on others.
-
__Silence__. To remain silent when you hear unjust criticism is to break the 9th.
Speak up and correct it. Jonathan defended David before his dad. (1 Samuel
19:4-5)
III. WHY DOES GOD MAKE SO MUCH OF THIS ISSUE?
-
God is
__truth__. He cannot lie and so He
__hates__ lying in any form. (Proverbs 6:18) He
will judge every idle word that we speak, at the judgment seat of Christ. (1 Cor
3)
-
People
are priceless, made in His image. To attack a person’s name, is not only an
attack upon the person, but more, it is to attack
__God__.
-
Satan is
a liar and the father of all lies. (John 8:44) He is the
__destroyer__ and will
ruin lives, families, and churches if allowed.
IV. WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP US RESIST HURTING OTHERS WITH OUR WORDS?
-
We need
to pray always, “set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the doorway”
-
Don’t
__believe__ everything you hear and read. Give others the benefit of the doubt!
-
Realize
how much God hates this sin. Only He can
__change__ you, ask Him to…
-
If you
have been hurt by the pain of slander, note that…”time and God’s
__grace__ are the
only healers, for lies diminish only as they rot and fall away.”
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1.
Reputations are more valuable than money. Do whatever you have to, to protect
your neighbor's name.
2. Remember
how fast a person's name can be damaged by rumors.
3. Sticks
and stones is not true.
4. Perhaps
your lack of tongue control, just simply reveals that you are not saved.
|