Words

Ray Ortlund post:  WLC on the Ninth Commandment

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”  Exodus 20:16

Q.  What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?

A.  The duties required in the ninth commandment are the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our own; . . . a charitable esteem of our neighbors; loving, desiring and rejoicing in their good name . . . .

Q.  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 neighbor, as well as our own; . . . speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, tale-bearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh and partial censuring; . . . raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports and stopping our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any, endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy . . . .

“At every word, a reputation dies.”  Alexander Whyte, An Exposition of the Shorter Catechism (Fearn, 2004), page 202.