Q 121: How do the redeemed of the Lord fulfill the ninth commandment?

A 121: The redeemed of the Lord fulfill the ninth commandment by diligently guarding our words and ways with God and our neighbors, and by doing justice at law. (Deut. 6.16-19; Lev. 19.11; Lev. 19.15, 16)

Solomon counsels that we practice economy in our words. Fools always have much to say, and thus always demonstrate that they are fools (cf. Eccl. 5.1-7). We want our speech always to be unto edification (Eph. 4.29); therefore, we must choose our words carefully so that we speak truth in love for the glory of God and the building-up of our neighbor. The same is true in our lives, where we must be careful to live according to truth, without deceit, equivocation, or the corruption of sin. And we must insist, and work to assure, that in all matters of law and public policy, truth should be the order of the day, rather than political interest or special pleading. If Christians do not guard the truth, evidence the truth, and advance the truth, we will be responsible for the advance of lies, half-truths, and outright deceit. We are our neighbors’ keeper in this matter as in all others.

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