This study was taught at our Sunday evening service by Matt Randall on the 28th June 2020. You can listen to the audio on this web page or save it for later listening.

This is the tenth in a series of studies on the Ten Commandments (you can find the introduction here). At the start of the study we reviewed some foundations that are important when trying to understand the purpose of each law:

• The heart of the matter, is the matter of the heart
• The law exposes our sin
• The law leads us to Jesus
• We are saved by grace, not by works
• Having been saved, we should show our faith by our works
• If you love Jesus, keep His commandments
• God has given us His commandments for our benefit

This study focussed on the ninth commandment that God gave to Moses on Sinai:

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.

Exodus 20:16

Matthew Henry noted the following about this verse in his commentary;

1. Speaking falsely in any matter to deceive our neighbour.
2. Speaking unjustly against our neighbour, to the prejudice of his reputation.
3. Bearing false witness against him upon oath, or in common converse, to raise our own reputation upon the ruin of our neighbour's.

In this study we looked at what this commandment is not, what it is, and what it means – noting that the commandment is not merely addressing lying, but also the heart behind any lie. The following scriptures were discussed as part of this study:

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Revelation 22:14-15

You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:16-18

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 13:8-10

These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19

Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

Ephesians 4:25

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Ephesians 4:29