Lesson 5 (Part 2): The Eighth Commandment

The eighth commandment is "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor". We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest possible way.

We are known by God by His Name. Consider Revelation 14:1. "Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name, written on their foreheads". This is evidence that those who believe are known by God by having God's Name on their foreheads. The 144,000 isn't mean't to be misinterpreted as only 144,000 people are going to heaven. Anyone who accepts Christ has God's Name. 144,000 is a more specific number that represents something else, depending on what your eschatology is. It is not the number of people that are going to heaven.

When did we receive God's Name? We become children of God by Baptism. Many Evangelicals teach "say the sinner's prayer and you're in". But every believer should also take all the steps, the next step being Baptism.

What more do we have because God has placed us on His Name? Consider Galations 3:26-27. "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.". In Christ, we have everything and lack nothing. What is our name and so our true identity. "Little Christs". Christians. How should sons of God live? By the Spirit, by the ten commandments.

How should our speech be? Consider Matthew 12:36. "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken". Those who improperly use their tongues are subject to judgment. How do we show love to others in our speech? By encouraging, rebuking, forgiving, and speaking the truth. 1 Peter 4:8 declares "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins".

Does this mean we should not talk about someone if they are not present? Depends. Only if we talk about things that will help them. If we are saying hurtful things about people that aren't present, we are guilty of gossip and slander.

We are to take things in the kindest possible way in order to mimic Christ. The sign of the cross drives us to remember what we are and what God has done for us. Our shortcomings no longer matter because Christ has made us sons of God. We cannot know ourselves until we know God. Always check and correct your speech, and think before you speak!