Your Spiritual Check-Up Using the 10 CommandmentsSample

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Exodus 20:2, ESV)

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

Not give false testimony – Am I speaking truth about others and to others?

Many people believe “Thou shalt not lie” is one of the 10 Commandments. It technically isn’t. But this commandment speaks specifically to speaking untruth about the character or actions of another. And that is a form of lying. The context speaks specifically to legal proceedings and the warning against lying as a witness. The opposite is to “Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” a common phrase in the swearing-in-process of a witness in the United States courts of law.

One of the most common and damaging violations of the spirit of this commandment is when we gossip about others. Gossip is never good and it is rarely accurate. Paul identifies gossip as the mark of someone who is falling away from God or against God. (Romans 1:28-31; 2 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Timothy 5:13)

The people we most want to talk about are the people we need to pray for the most.

Questions to Consider

- Are you talking about others in ways that undermine them in the sight of others?

- Are you listening to things said about others or doing the talking yourself?

Actions to Take

- When you want to talk about someone, intentionally pray for them. Don’t listen when people want to talk about others.

- Become an encourager by reaching out to someone weekly to lift them up.

Prayer to Make

Heavenly Father, let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of mind and heart be pleasing to you. I know if I am filled with your light, my thoughts and words will bring light to others. Spirit, help me be that person! Amen.