July 5, 2026 - The Ninth Commandment (Exodus 20:16)

The Ninth Commandment (Exodus 20:16)

Rev. Myung-Sin Choi

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.  

Introduction

Martin Luther spoke about the human character and Luther said that people commonly desire to hear bad news about their neighbor rather than good news. Every human being possesses an evil nature and even if a person obtains an evil nature, he cannot tolerate when other people speak negatively about them. People only desire praise from other people. What is astounding is that when people praise another person, many people cannot tolerate praises about other people. Luther spoke about how this is human nature. How do you feel about this? Do you possess a character like this? This is not normal. This shows proof that we are controlled by Satan. Not only nonbelievers but many believers possess this character and nature. God who knows the nature of sin of mankind so He gave us the 10 commandments. What is the ninth commandment about? The ninth commandment was given to us to heal our nature. Lying comes from our heart and mind. If you possess this nature of lying means that you possess a corrupted and sinful nature. 

1. The Meaning of the Ninth Commandment

(1) The Background of the Commandment

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” - This is talking about Satan. Within Satan, there is no truth in him. There is no truth in him, which means that he is always lying. That is why they call Satan a liar and a father of it. This means that Satan Himself is a lie and he is full of lies. But when Satan presented himself in front of people, he disguised himself as an angel. 

Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” - Since there is no truth in Satan, he spoke only lies. Satan was giving lies to Adam and Eve about the word of God. Satan lied to Adam and Eve that if they ate the fruit of good and evil, they would become like God. The problem was that Adam and Eve believed in the lie of Satan and disobeyed God’s word. Adam and Eve had the word of God, the word of truth but they ended up being deceived by Satan, a being full of lies. This caused children of God to become children of Satan. This has caused our nature to change from the nature of God to the nature of Satan. Then, what should we do? 

God gave us an accurate and simple answer in John 8:32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” - Even if you are bound by Satan, if you come to the truth then the truth will set you free. Even if we possess an evil and sinful nature, if we come to the word of God, then we will be set free and be healed. Through the ninth commandment, not bearing false witness means to come to the truth. There is a way for restoration. 

(2) The Content of the Commandment

When we bear witness, then we are witnessing and testifying towards the truth. God is commanding us not to bear false witness. The ninth commandment is not telling us not to lie but of course, we should not lie. The ninth commandment is telling us not to bear false witness against our neighbors. This is referring to bearing false witness in a court setting. People lie or be a false witness in court because people get afraid or fearful of the consequences. Or, people lie in court as well so that they can gain benefits and advantages for themselves. God is telling us not to do that. 

The prime question is seen in 1 Kings 21:10 “And seat two men, scoundrels, before him to bear witness against him, saying, “You have blasphemed God and the king.” Then take him out, and stone him, that he may die.” - Queen Jezebel wanted a vineyard so she committed an evil act to take and steal that vineyard from a man. In order to take that vineyard, Queen Jezebel calls elders and noblemen to have two men falsely testify against and accuse the vineyard owner of treason and blasphemy. As a result, it caused this innocent vineyard land owner to be falsely accused and stoned to death. This is what God is telling us not to be false witnesses like Queen Jezebel, the elders, and noblemen. 

Acts 5:3-4 “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’ ” - Ananias supposedly sold his land but hid some of those proceeds of the land for himself, and gave the remaining to Peter. When this happened, this is what Peter said to Ananias in Acts 5:3-4. Peter told Ananias that he didn’t lie to men but lied to God. When you lie to people, you lie because you don’t know that God is watching you. You may think that people don’t know that they are lying but what is absolute is that we can fool people but we cannot fool God. People are lying for their own benefit but God is saying that we should live a good conscience and live as if God is watching you. 

James 1:15-16 “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” - This is an important message. People fail because of their greed. Many people lie for their own benefits and greed. This is the strategy of Satan. People lie so that they can gain benefits and advantages for themselves but this is all part of Satan’s strategy. They think it is okay because they think that God is not watching but God is always watching. This is Satan’s strategy to get into your heart and mind, and make you lie to people around you. This ninth commandment is a warning from God. The reality and truth is, God is always watching you. 

2. The Core of the Ninth Commandment

(1) The core message

We must hold onto the fact that our standards and God’s standards are completely different things. Let me give you two examples. 

Let me give you the example of Rahab in Joshua 2:4, 6:25, 2:9 “Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, 'Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 6:25 And Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father’s household, and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.' 2:9 and said to the men: 'I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you.' ” - When the spies came, Rahab hid the spies and lied when people came looking for the spies. Rahab lied and she should’ve been punished for lying but God spared and blessed her. Not only that but God spared and blessed Rahab’s entire family as well. This is opposite of what was said will happen if we lie. 

Let me give you another example in Exodus 1:19-21 “And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.” 20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. 21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.” - The Israelites were having many children so when Pharaoh saw this, Pharaoh commanded that all male Israelite babies be killed. Pharaoh commanded for all of the midwives to kill all of the male Israelites babies. Pharaoh asked why the Israelite male babies were not being killed but the midwives replied to pharaoh and lied to him but God blessed the midwives even though they lied. How do we need to accept this? We need to look at the reason why God blessed them when they were lying. 

Joshua 6:25 - The reason why they were blessed was because Rahab hid the spies in Jericho. Why did she hide the spies? 

The reason is seen in Joshua 2:9 - This is why Rahab was blessed by God. Rahab knew that the Israelites were going to take over Jericho so she became afraid and wanted to live. But most importantly, Rahab feared God and knew of the covenant of God. 

Exodus 1:21 - The reason why the midwives were blessed was because they feared God. They feared God more than they feared pharaoh. Because they feared God, they didn’t kill the male Israelite babies. There is an important point here. The standard of man is that they focus on if you lie or not. That is the wrong question. What is God’s standard of judgment? God’s standard of judgment is whether you are in the covenant or not. Are you blocking God’s covenant or not? Is your entire direction towards God’s covenant or not. It is not about our benefits and advantages, we need to focus on fulfilling God’s covenant. God’s plan is to fulfill His covenant. 

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” - When you enter into God’s covenant and enter into what God desires, then God will bless you. Are you following the law of God or the law of this world? This is what is most important. 

(2) The healing message

Romans 1:29-30, 32 “Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” - This is talking about liars and evil people. People who whisper are people who gossip all the time and judge others. But people who participate in all of these evil acts, God said that they are deserving of death. Those who gossip, judge, and criticize other people behind their backs; God said that these people who do this, then you deserve death. God said that this is not only applying to nonbelievers but also to believers as well. As believers of God, that is why God gave us the ninth commandment. God is commanding believers to not lie in front of your brothers and sisters. The ninth commandment was given to the children of God, the people of the covenant. As children of God, we are one body with God. As people of God, we should not gossip, be backbiters, haters of God, or judge your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Ecclesiastes 10:20 “Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.” - This means that what we say or think, God knows and hears all of that. As people of God, we should be careful with our words and actions. We should always be aware and know that God is always listening and watching everything. 

Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” - Those who bear false witness against your neighbors, God loves everyone so we should change our mentality and heart. Because God is the ultimate judge so leave it to God to judge. 

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” - There is no need to lie to other people. No matter what situation we are in, there is no need for us to lie. God is our God and does not fear. No matter what situation we are in, God will help us. In front of God, don’t lie and sin but live boldly. God is telling us that He will uphold us with His righteous right hand. God is holding onto you right now so do not fear or worry. No matter what happens, God will uphold you with His righteous right hand. 

3. Those Who Know the True Gospel

(1) The Power of the Gospel

Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” - The word of God will be fulfilled no matter what. If the we hold onto the truth of the word then we will absolutely have victory. 

(2) The Power of Prayer

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” - Hold onto the word of God and pray then God promised us new strength. God promises us the strength of an eagle to the point where if we run, we will not grow weary and when we walk, we will not grow faint. Enjoy these answers in the name of Jesus Christ. 

(3) The Power of a Witness

Mark 16:20 “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” - When we hold onto the word of God and testify of it, then true power will come to us. When we testify of the gospel, then true works will arise. 

Conclusion

Hold onto 1 Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ ” - Do you have a sin that you cannot forgive someone of? Love them. What is love? This is a love of eternal and everlasting love. If we truly love others then God will forgive that person’s sin no matter what. What was God’s last commandment to us? Jesus Christ commanded us to be the witness to the ends of the earth and if we possess fervent love for our neighbors, then God will take hold of you and forgive you of all of your sins. May you receive great answers.