Friday, October 21, 2022

9TH COMMANDMENT

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor

Exodus 20:16

Inspired by the sermons of an anonymous pastor who served in ministry at Windsor Forest in the 1960’s.

Language is an instrument of the mind. It makes it possible for us to think, to keep records, or transmit thought and knowledge to others. Our language reveals our character. The word of God states that out of the heart, the mouth speaks. Language is powerful. The spoken word and printed page vitally affect the lives of its subject. It can be powerful for good but powerful for evil as well.

Our speech should be trustworthy and positive, springing from a godly character. It should be truth at all times and responsible. Despite the deceptive nature of our current world and our deceitful heart, we must strive to be honest in all of our dealings. We must seek God’s help in walking this out.

10TH COMMANDMENT

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s bear false witness against thy neighbor

Exodus 20:17

Inspired by the sermons of an anonymous pastor who served in ministry at Windsor Forest in the 1960’s.

This is the root of many of the world’s woes. It is the most common of sins, even among Christians. Covetousness is in the heart of man. But it can so warp his thinking that it leads to all kinds of sin. The root idea of covetousness is greed – desire for something that belongs to another. In the Hebrew, it means to be warm or eager or to strive after something. One person said, “The tinge of covetousness comes in whenever men so absorb their life in the temporal that they impair its high instincts for the spiritual.”

The cure for covetousness is loving trust toward God. We must remember that God who clothes the lilies of the field will take care of us (Matthew 6:28). We must follow Christ and leave the supplying of these things to him – we must seek Him first, and the other things will follow (Matthew 6:33). Paul says, if you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on right hand of God (Colossians 3:1).

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the Ten Commandments that outline your moral will for me. Go to the deep places in my heart and take out anything that does not look like you. I belong to you and should reflect your character. In Jesus’ name, Amen.