The ninth commandment is concerned about the way we represent other people. Misrepresentation is a terrible thing. If you say something negative about someone, then you are not just saying something negative you are doing something negative to that person. It is something that can be very damaging to that person as well as to the hearer who is then burdened with a lie about another person. If you don’t know what you say is true, then don’t say it. And even if it is true you must be sure that what you say will serve the cause of love, truth and justice. This commandment is not just about lying. It is concerned with false testimony about others. Be very careful about how you represent another person. Make sure that your ‘testimony’ about another person is always one that will achieve a result that would please God. The tongue is a powerful weapon that can be used for good or evil. Be aware of what you are doing with words. You will be tempted to undermine the reputation of people that you resent. Words are like bullets in a gun; once you fire them off, you cannot take them back. Negative gossip spreads like a disease and you can no more reverse what you set off than you could take back a disease that you passed on to another person. Represent people truthfully and generously. That is the spirit of the ninth commandment. When you speak about other people be very careful; do so knowing that the God of love and justice is listening.
Think about what you have said about others recently. Commit yourself to speaking truthfully and constructively in the future.
Reflect on Exodus 20:16.
