Question 112. What is required in the ninth commandment? Answer. That I bear false witness [a] against no man, nor falsify [b] any man's words; that I be no backbiter, [c] nor slanderer; that I do not judge, nor join [d] in condemning any man rashly, or unheard; but that I [e] avoid all sorts of lies and deceit, as the proper works [f] of the devil, unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God; likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly [g] and confess it; also that I defend and promote, [h] as much as I am able, the honor and good character of my neighbor. [a]: Prov. 19:5,9; Prov. 21:28 [b]: Psa. 15:3 [c]: Rom. 1:29,30 [d]: Mat. 7:1ff; Luke 6:37 [e]: Lev. 19:11 [f]: Prov. 12:22; Prov. 13:5 [g]: 1Cor. 13:6; Eph. 4:25 [h]: 1Pet. 4:8
|