Do I uphold the truth or conceal it or give it a certain spin? Do I pursue honesty, truth, and justice at all costs even if the spotlight shines closer than I would like? Has God been honored by my words and underlying attitude or dishonored?

At face value, the 9^th commandment could be read as merely a prohibition against committing perjury or lying under oath. However, this commandment encompasses so much more. According to both the Westminster Shorter and the Baptist catechisms, “The ninth commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor’s good name, especially in witness bearing.” This “promoting of truth” is fleshed out even further in Q&A 144 and 145 of the Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC), which discuss the duties required and sins prohibited by this commandment. It leaves no stone unturned regarding the thoughts and heart motives that fuel our speech in addition to the actual words themselves. “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) We will also stand before God on judgment day and give an account for every idle word, which is convicting and sobering. (Matt. 12:36)

When I first read these sections in the WLC, I immediately thought of the toxicity of social media and the ease with which fake news is spread far and wide. If there ever was an environment that spurned the 9^th commandment and encouraged its breaking, this is it. But while it is easy to point the finger out there, I need to ask myself, not if, but where have I broken the 9^th commandment? Are my words motivated by a desire for my neighbor’s best, or am I cold and indifferent? Are my assessments impartial with every attempt to portray the situation as accurately as possible to the best of my ability, or are they biased to put myself and my interests in a more favorable light? Do I uphold the truth or conceal it or give it a certain spin? Do I pursue honesty, truth, and justice at all costs even if the spotlight shines closer than I would like? Has God been honored by my words and underlying attitude or dishonored? Regardless of the culture’s decline and the venues that feed it, the bar remains unchanged because the 9^th commandment reflects the character of God who is THE standard of truth and reality. Thus we are all without excuse and have fallen far short of his perfection. But I am thankful that he has not left us to ourselves but has shown mercy to 9^th commandment breakers in sending his Son.

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