Rooted in Truth: A Devotion in the Ten CommandmentsExemplo

Telling the Truth

For Instruction

This commandment is sometimes taken as a blanket statement about lying. While the implications and applications of the command may very well reach that far, the primary form that the command takes is about lying against one's neighbor. It is bad enough to say something that is not true and we are certainly commanded in Scripture to avoid this (i.e. Col. 3:9).

However, it is even worse to say something that is not true about another person. We might think of this command in modern terms as about defamation of character. We are not to say things about people that are not true. We are not excused in this if we hastily repeat something that we heard thinking that it is true without careful consideration of the facts of the situation. Rumors are oftentimes false witness (Ron Mehl).

For Giving Thanks

Just as in previous commands, God protects your life and your property, so here He seeks to protect your good name. God cares about your reputation. He would not have you slandered or defamed (Luther). Take a moment to thank Him for His care in this regard.

For Confession

Confess to the Lord any times that you have knowingly and intentionally spoken falsely against someone. Now go a little deeper and confess any times that you have hastily repeated something about another person--whether or not you knew it was true. Now confess the times that you have placed a certain spin on your reports of someone else to perhaps make them look a little worse and make you look a little better.

Now go deeper still and ask the Lord to search the motives of your heart when you talk about others in general--even if the information proves to be true. Now go to the deepest level--what are some ways that you might speak untruthfully about God by your words or your life?

For Prayer

Heavenly Father, you are the great truth-teller. You always call it like it is. You cannot lie or deceive and you will not tarnish someone’s reputation. Help me to seek to speak truth about others and, above all, about you in the things that I say and in how I live my life.