Understanding “You Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbor” in Everyday Life
If you’ve ever felt the sting of a rumor, heard someone twist your words, or seen a friend’s reputation damaged by a lie, you know just how important truth is in our relationships and communities. That’s exactly why the Bible’s Ninth Commandment—“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”—matters so much, not just in a courtroom, but in everyday life.
The Basics: What Does the Ninth Commandment Say?
At its core, the Ninth Commandment, found in Exodus 20:16, says:
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Put simply, this means we shouldn’t lie, deceive, or misrepresent anything about other people. But it goes much deeper than just “don’t lie”—it covers all forms of dishonesty that harm someone else.
Not Just About Lying: What “Bearing False Witness” Really Means
Many people assume this commandment is only about lying in court. While it does forbid lying under oath, it’s actually much broader. Bearing false witness includes:
· Spreading rumors or gossip that aren’t true
· Slandering someone—or making up stories to hurt their reputation
· Withholding important information to make someone look bad
· Twisting facts, exaggerating, or sharing half-truths that mislead others
· Manipulating the truth for personal gain
· Backbiting or talking negatively behind someone’s back
So, it’s not just “don’t tell lies”—it’s “don’t do anything that would unfairly damage another person’s good name or cause them harm through deception.”
Why Does This Commandment Matter?
Imagine a world where everyone lied or twisted the truth about others—trust would vanish, friendships and families would fall apart, and society could not function. The Ninth Commandment is actually about protecting trust, fairness, and justice among people. When we are truthful, we help create an environment where people feel safe, respected, and valued.
Truth builds trust; lies tear it down.
The Ripple Effect: Consequences of False Witness
The Bible treats bearing false witness as a serious offense. It’s not just a little slip-up—it’s seen as a violation of God’s law and, more importantly, an attack on another person’s dignity and rights. The consequences can be severe, both in this life and spiritually:
· It can ruin someone’s reputation, making it hard to recover their good name.
· False accusations can lead to injustice, like wrongful punishment or lost opportunities.
· Relationships suffer—people stop trusting each other, families break down, and communities become divided.
· Spiritually, the Bible warns of judgment for those who persistently bear false witness.
Biblical Examples: What Happens When People Don’t Tell the Truth
The Bible is full of stories showing just how destructive bearing false witness can be. One dramatic example is the story of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. They wanted a man named Naboth’s vineyard, so Jezebel arranged for false witnesses to accuse Naboth of blasphemy. He was convicted unfairly and killed—all because of lies. This story highlights how lies can lead to injustice and tragedy.
The Bigger Picture: The Ten Commandments and How We Treat Others
The Ninth Commandment is part of a group of laws (the “second table” of the Ten Commandments) that all focus on how we treat one another. These include respecting our parents, not murdering, being faithful in marriage, not stealing, not lying, and not coveting what others have. The common thread? Loving your neighbor as yourself.
Here’s how the commandments break down:
· Honor your parents: Respect and care for them, especially as they age.
· Don’t murder: Protect life and treat others with kindness, patience, and forgiveness.
· Don’t commit adultery: Value faithfulness and purity in relationships.
· Don’t steal: Respect others’ property and earn your own honestly.
· Don’t bear false witness: Be truthful and protect others’ reputations.
· Don’t covet: Avoid jealous desires for other people’s things.
All these commandments help us build a society based on trust, respect, and fairness.
Loving Your Neighbor: Why Honesty Matters
The Bible teaches that godliness and honesty go hand in hand. That means living in a way that honors God includes treating people with honesty and respect. When we lie, twist the truth, or spread rumors, we break trust and hurt others, which goes against the very heart of what God wants for us.
· Truthfulness creates peace in relationships.
· Honesty helps communities flourish.
· Protecting someone’s reputation is as important as protecting their property or safety.
Common Ways We Break the Ninth Commandment Today
You might think, “I’m not a liar,” but this commandment covers more than just big, dramatic lies. Everyday actions can break it too, like:
· Repeating gossip about someone without knowing if it’s true
· Embellishing a story to make yourself look better at someone else’s expense
· Taking credit for someone’s work or ideas
· Withholding key facts that would clear up a misunderstanding
· Making jokes or sarcastic comments that misrepresent someone’s character
All these actions can damage trust and relationships, even if we didn’t mean to cause harm.
What Should We Do Instead?
The Bible encourages us to always be truthful—especially when speaking about others. Here are some practical ways to live out the Ninth Commandment:
· Speak honestly, even when it’s difficult
· Refuse to spread gossip or rumors
· Stand up for others when you hear lies or misrepresentations
· Apologize and make things right if you’ve said something untrue
· Choose words that build others up, not tear them down
Why Does God Care So Much About Truth?
Ultimately, the reason honesty is so important in the Bible is that God Himself is truthful. The Bible says God’s character is all about truth and justice, so when we choose honesty, we reflect God’s character to the world. That’s why bearing false witness is seen as such a serious matter—it’s not just about breaking a rule, but about betraying the trust God wants us to build with one another.
Conclusion: A Call to Truthfulness
The Ninth Commandment is much more than “don’t lie”—it’s a call to protect others by being truthful, fair, and trustworthy. It reminds us that our words have power, and that misusing them can do real harm. But when we choose to be honest, we help build stronger families, safer communities, and a kinder world—just as God intended.
So the next time you’re tempted to bend the truth or pass on a rumor, remember: telling the truth isn’t just good manners, it’s a way to honor others—and God. Treat your neighbor’s good name as you’d want yours treated. In the end, honesty really is the best policy.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 