Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Ten Commandments: Respect for Each Other

Honesty 
Wednesday, October 18, 2017

(5) Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 
(6) You shall not murder. 
(7) You shall not commit adultery. 
(8) You shall not steal. 
(9) You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
(10) You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20:12-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God made it clear that we should tell the truth. We should never fabricate our testimonies. 

Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭23:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We should always stand for the truth. Interestingly the following Matthew passage looks like it was derived directly from the Ten Commandments. 

For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It sounds to me like God is showing us the opposite of what He wants. He requires life-support, sexual purity, truth, and trust. 

Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love how Proverbs tends to cut right to the heart of the matter.  My falsehoods are as devastating to my friends as if I had shot them with an arrow. I’m supposed to love my neighbor. Not shoot him. 

If we are not supposed to tell lies, then what is the truth?

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Truth = Jesus 
Lies = Satan

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
‭‭John‬ ‭8:32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It is through a personal relationship with the Truth that we are able to know the difference between honesty and lies. We must grab ahold of Him and never let go. He alone can show us Truth. 

Thank you, Lord, for showing us the way. Help us to adhere to your ways and to be truth- tellers for You. 



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