Lesson Nineteen

THE NINTH COMMANDMENT (2)

YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS

Burden to Impart:

Since all lies come from the Devil (John 8:44), we should have nothing to do with lies in any form (exaggeration, half-truths, flattery, slander, pretension, etc.). We should love the truth and only speak the truth. As followers of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus, we should allow no deceit to be in our mouth (Rev. 14:5).

Memory Verse:

 "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight" (Proverbs 12:22).

Facts to Teach:

  1. The Bible tells us that those who reject God and His salvation are those who "love" and practice lies (Rev. 22:15) and who do not "love the truth" (2 Thes. 2:10). As God's children and as Christians we must love the truth and hate any form of falsehood or lie.
  2. There are many different kinds of lies we should be aware of:
    1. An outright lie - something said that has nothing to do with the truth; it is an intentional lie.
    2. A careless lie - careless speech, like tale bearing (Lev. 19:16), passing on stories that you aren't sure are even true.
    3. A half-truth - to tell a half-truth is really subtle, it is to use something true to present a falsehood.
    4. Silence - remaining silent when we should speak (Lev. 5:1). For example, when someone asks, "Does anyone here know who wrote on the wall.?" By remaining silent we are actually lying.
    5. Exaggeration - Some people constantly exaggerate, making a small thing great, an ordinary thing to be extraordinary, etc.
    6. Flattery - to compliment or praise beyond the truth, usually done for a selfish motive, but it is a lie and damages the person (Prov. 26:28). (Better are the "wounds" [hard, truthful words] of a friend, than the kisses [flattery] of an enemy [Prov. 27:6].)
  3. Most excuses are simply a lie in one form or another. Once a lie is told it usually leads to another lie, even a stronger lie, to try and prove how the first lie was true. It is more honorable to have done wrong and admit it, than to do wrong and lie when caught.
  4. God delights in those who tell the truth (Psa. 51:6; Prov. 12:22). Like King David, we should pray that our words would be acceptable in the Lord's sight (Psa. 19:14).
  5. Those who faithfully follow the Lord do not allow their mouth to speak lies or anything deceitful (Rev. 14:5).