Lesson 11: The Ninth
Commandment
Exodus 20:16 You
shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Ephesians 4:29 Let
no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for
building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who
hear.
The Main Points for This Lesson:
This commandment is not simply about
telling lies. It refers more specifically to what we say about or
against our neighbor.
Bearing false witness takes on many
forms: Lying before a judge and court (or more simply to someone in
authority) about someone (Proverbs 14:5); Spreading gossip about
others (1 Timothy 5:13); Flattering others (Proverbs 26:28; 29:5);
Purposefully allowing others to believe what is false by our own
silence, or by not giving the whole story; Etc.
Sometimes someone may say or do
something that hurts us, and we may be tempted to talk about how bad
this person is to others. However, even speaking what is true about a
neighbor can (at times) be wrong. If they have wronged us, or if they
have sinned, Jesus tells us to go first to that person and speak with
them directly (Matthew 18:15-17). If that doesn't work out, then we
should ask someone in authority to help with the situation. It is not
okay to just talk about the person and what they did to other people
(James 4:11-12). When we do that, without first having followed the
steps Jesus taught us, we bear false witness about this person. For
when we talk about them to others, we are implying that we have
already gone to them to work out the problem or sin, and they were
totally unwilling to work it out, or to repent. And so we bear false
witness against our neighbor.
The sin of bearing false witness comes
out of our own heart (Matthew 15:18-20). Many things could be in our
heart that lead us to bear false witness against our neighbor: Anger
toward someone who hurt us; Revenge; Greed, or a desire to get what
someone else has; A desire to be popular (so we gossip about some to
impress others); Carelessness or thoughtlessness (so we say true or
false things about others without thinking of the consequences to
anyone); Etc. If we allow this sin to become a habit, it will grow
deep roots within us, and become very hard to remove.
Instead of bearing false witness
against our neighbor, we should speak the truth to our neighbor
(Ephesians 4:25); We should speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15),
not in hate, anger or malice; We should not let unwholesome words
come out of our mouth, but speak words that are good and helpful to
others (Ephesians 4:29). We should speak to and about others as we
want others to speak to and about us.
Suggestions:
Open each lesson with prayer for the
teacher and the students and this class time.
Read the story of Ahab & Jezebel
and Naboth (1 Kings 21:1-19). Ask the children how this commandment
was broken, who broke it and why it was broken. What happened to
Naboth as a result? Why was God angry with Ahab (v19) if Jezebel is
the one who arranged everything?
Read the story of Jesus before the
chief priests (Matthew 26:59-61). Ask the children how they would
respond if they were treated as Jesus was? How do they think Jesus
responded. Read the verses in Isaiah 53:7 and 1 Peter 2:23 and talk
about how Jesus did respond and why.
Most children will never stand in a
legal court before a judge, but most children will stand before their
parents or a teacher at some time and have to explain a situation.
Will they speak the truth as they explain what happened, or will they
try to make themselves seem better and the other person involved
(perhaps their brother or sister) seem worse? Talk with them about
this.
Close the lesson with prayer related to
the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.
Stories:
1 Kings 21:1-19 [1] After these
things, Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel,
hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. [2] Ahab spoke to Naboth,
saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of
herbs, because it is near to my house; and I will give you for it a
better vineyard than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you
its worth in money.” [3] Naboth said to Ahab, “May Yahweh forbid
me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!” [4]
Ahab came into his house sullen and angry because of the word which
Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, “I will
not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He laid himself down
on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. [5] But
Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, “Why is your spirit
so sad, that you eat no bread?” [6] He said to her, “Because I
spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, ‘Give me your
vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you
another vineyard for it.’ He answered, ‘I will not give you my
vineyard.’” [7] Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now
govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, and eat bread, and let your
heart be merry. I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the
Jezreelite.” [8] So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed
them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and to the
nobles who were in his city, who lived with Naboth. [9] She wrote
in the letters, saying, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high
among the people. [10] Set two men, base fellows, before him, and let
them testify against him, saying, ‘You cursed God and the king!’
Then carry him out, and stone him to death.” [11] The men of
his city, even the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did
as Jezebel had sent to them, according as it was written in the
letters which she had sent to them. [12] They proclaimed a fast, and
set Naboth on high among the people. [13] The two men, the base
fellows, came in and sat before him. The base fellows testified
against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people,
saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king!” Then they carried him
out of the city, and stoned him to death with stones. [14] Then they
sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned, and is dead.”
[15] When Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, Jezebel
said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the
Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not
alive, but dead.” [16] When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab
rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take
possession of it. [17] Yahweh’s word came to Elijah the Tishbite,
saying, [18] “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who
dwells in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he
has gone down to take possession of it. [19] You shall speak to him,
saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Have you killed and also taken
possession?”’ You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says
Yahweh, “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs
will lick your blood, even yours.”’”
Matthew 26:59-61 [59] Now the
chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false
testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death; [60] and
they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they
found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward, [61] and
said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God,
and to build it in three days.’”
Through this
unfair trial, Jesus held his peace (Matthew 26:63). He entrusted
himself to God, and so did not respond with lie for lie, or slander
for slander. Trusting in his
Father in heaven, he could be at
peace and hold his peace.
Acts 6:8-15;7:1,51-60 [8]
Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and
signs among the people. [9] But some of those who were of the
synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the
Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with
Stephen. [10] They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the
Spirit by which he spoke. [11] Then they secretly induced men to
say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and
God.” [12] They stirred up the people, the elders, and the
scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to
the council, [13] and set up false witnesses who said, “This man
never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and
the law. [14] For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth
will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses
delivered to us.” [15] All who sat in the council, fastening their
eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
Chapter 7 [1] The high priest said,
“Are these things so?”
[51] “You stiff-necked and
uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit!
As your fathers did, so you do. [52] Which of the prophets didn’t
your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of
the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and
murderers. [53] You received the law as it was ordained by angels,
and didn’t keep it!” [54] Now when they heard these things, they
were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. [55]
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into
heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right
hand of God, [56] and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and
the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” [57] But they
cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at
him with one accord. [58] They threw him out of the city, and stoned
him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man
named Saul. [59] They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit!” [60] He kneeled down, and cried with a
loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he
had said this, he fell asleep.
More Stories and Examples:
Matthew 22:15-22 [15] Then the
Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his
talk. [16] They sent their disciples to him, along with the
Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach
the way of God in truth, no matter whom you teach, for you aren’t
partial to anyone. [17] Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it
lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” [18] But Jesus perceived
their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?
[19] Show me the tax money.” They brought to him a denarius. [20]
He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” [21] They
said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give
therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the
things that are God’s.” [22] When they heard it, they marveled,
and left him, and went away.
Here is an
example of men using flattery to trap Jesus. They cared nothing for
the truth, but only desired to rid themselves of Jesus. And so they
were willing to use what might even be true to achieve a wicked end.
Although Jesus is honest and teaches God's way in truth, these men
were not there to bear true witness of their neighbor (in this case,
Jesus), but were there to harm their neighbor. Have they not then
broken this commandment, in that they are attempting to use words to
overthrow their neighbor.
Deuteronomy 22:13-19 [13] If any
man takes a wife, and goes in to her, hates her, [14] accuses her of
shameful things, and gives her a bad name, and says, “I took this
woman, and when I came near to her, I didn’t find in her the tokens
of virginity”; [15] then the young lady’s father and mother shall
take and bring the tokens of the young lady’s virginity to the
elders of the city in the gate. [16] The young lady’s father shall
tell the elders, “I gave my daughter to this man as his wife, and
he hates her. [17] Behold, he has accused her of shameful things,
saying, ‘I didn’t find in your daughter the tokens of virginity;’
and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity.” They
shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city. [18] The elders
of that city shall take the man and chastise him. [19] They shall
fine him one hundred shekels of silver, and give them to the father
of the young lady, because he has given a bad name to a virgin of
Israel. She shall be his wife. He may not put her away all his days.
This story
may not be appropriate for K-5th
grade classes.
Other
Verses:
SLANDER
Psalm 15:1-5
[1] Yahweh, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live
on your holy hill? [2] He who walks blamelessly does what is right,
and speaks truth in his heart; [3] He who doesn’t slander with
his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor casts slurs
against his fellow man; [4] In whose eyes a vile man is despised,
but who honors those who fear Yahweh; he who keeps an oath even when
it hurts, and doesn’t change; [5] he who doesn’t lend out his
money for usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does
these things shall never be shaken.
Psalm 101:1-8 [1] I will sing of
loving kindness and justice. To you, Yahweh, I will sing praises. [2]
I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you come to me?
I will walk within my house with a blameless heart. [3] I will set no
vile thing before my eyes. I hate the deeds of faithless men. They
will not cling to me. [4] A perverse heart will be far from me. I
will have nothing to do with evil. [5] I will silence whoever
secretly slanders his neighbor. I won’t tolerate one who is
haughty and conceited. [6] My eyes will be on the faithful of the
land, that they may dwell with me. He who walks in a perfect way, he
will serve me. [7] He who practices deceit won’t dwell within my
house. He who speaks falsehood won’t be established before
my eyes. [8] Morning by morning, I will destroy all the wicked of
the land; to cut off all the workers of iniquity from Yahweh’s
city.
Proverbs 6:16-19 [16] There are
six things which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an
abomination to him: [17] haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands
that shed innocent blood; [18] a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are swift in running to mischief, [19] a false witness
who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 10:19 In the
multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who
restrains his lips does wisely.
Proverbs 14:5 A truthful witness
will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.
Ephesians 4:31-32 [31] Let all
bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away
from you, with all malice. [32] And be kind to one another, tender
hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave
you.
GOSSIP
Proverbs 11:13 One who brings
gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy
spirit is one who keeps a secret.
Proverbs 18:8 The words of a
gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s
innermost parts.
Proverbs 20:19 He who goes about
as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep
company with him who opens wide his lips.
Proverbs 26:20-28 [20] For lack
of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
[21] As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a
contentious man to kindling strife. [22] The words of a whisperer
are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts. [23]
Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent
one with an evil heart. [24] A malicious man disguises himself
with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart. [25] When his speech
is charming, don’t believe him; for there are seven abominations in
his heart. [26] His malice may be concealed by deception, but his
wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. [27] Whoever digs a pit
shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
[28] A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering
mouth works ruin.
1 Timothy 5:13 Besides, they
also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only
idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they
ought not.
FLATTERY
Proverbs 29:5 A man who
flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
Romans 16:17-18 [17] Now I beg
you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and
occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned,
and turn away from them. [18] For those who are such don’t serve
our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth
and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
1 Thessalonians 2:3-7 [3] For
our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in
deception. [4] But even as we have been approved by God to be
entrusted with the Good News, so we speak; not as pleasing men,
but God, who tests our hearts. [5] For neither were we at any
time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak
of covetousness (God is witness), [6] nor seeking glory from men
(neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed
authority as apostles of Christ. [7] But we were gentle among you,
like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
GO TO YOUR BROTHER FIRST
Matthew 18:15-17 [15] “If
your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and
him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your
brother. [16] But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with
you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be
established. [17] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the
assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you
as a Gentile or a tax collector.
Luke 17:3 Be careful. If your
brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him.
Leviticus 19:15-18 [15] “‘You
shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the
poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your
neighbor in righteousness. [16] “‘You shall not go up and down as
a slanderer among your people. “‘You shall not endanger the
life of your neighbor. I am Yahweh. [17] “‘You shall not hate
your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor,
and not bear sin because of him. [18] “‘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 Yahweh.
We are told
to go to someone who sins and speak directly with them about their
sin. When we are unwilling to do that, anger may grow in our heart
and turn into hate. The words which should have been spoken in love
to our brother or neighbor who sinned, become words of anger or
malice spoken to others. Thus, we are guilty of sin.
James 4:11-12 [11] Don’t
speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a
brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the
law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a
judge. [12] Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to
destroy. But who are you to judge another?
OUT OF THE HEART
Matthew 15:18-20 [18] But the
things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and
they defile the man. [19] For out of the heart come evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false
testimony, and blasphemies. [20] These are the things which
defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the
man.”
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore putting
away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we
are members of one another.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt
speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for
building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those
who hear.
EXAMPLE OF JESUS
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed,
yet when he was afflicted he didn’t open his mouth. As a lamb that
is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is
mute, so he didn’t open his mouth.
1 Peter 2:21-23 [21] For to this
you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an
example, that you should follow his steps, [22] who did not sin,
“neither was deceit found in his mouth.” [23] Who, when he was
cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but
committed himself to him who judges righteously;
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