Letter From William Bradford
November 15, 2024
Welcome to the next installment of our "Imagine If" series, where we explore the profound impact of living by each of the Ten Commandments. Today, we focus on the Ninth Commandment: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16).
This commandment calls us to be truthful and avoid spreading falsehoods. Yet, it may be one of the most overlooked and undervalued laws of God in our society. The consequences for disregarding it are often minimal or even ignored, which makes it all the more important to reflect on.
To better understand how bearing false witness or lying has been minimized, we have two examples of courts downgrading God's ninth commandment.
- In 1998, the Supreme Court of the State of Washington, by a vote of 5-4, reaffirmed a 1984 decision stating that it was acceptable for a politician to lie in the course of their duties.
- In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Stolen Valor Act of 2005, which made it a crime to falsely claim military honors.
These examples highlight how our society has, to some extent, normalized dishonesty. In fact, lying has become so embedded in our culture that it's often dismissed as a harmless or even necessary part of public life. A good example of this comes out in the 1997 comedy movie Liar Liar, where a divorce lawyer--who has made a career out of bending the truth--finds himself magically forced to tell the truth, leading to both comedic and thought-provoking situations.
But as believers, we should not take the Ninth Commandment lightly. In John 8:44, Jesus warns against lying, calling the devil "the father of lies," and saying that there is no truth in him. Lying isn't just a mistake; it's a spiritual issue that can have profound consequences.
King David, in Psalm 15, emphasizes the importance of truthfulness, saying that those who speak the truth and avoid slander will dwell with God. Similarly, Paul urges the Ephesians to "put away lying," and to "speak truth with one another, for we are members of one another" (Ephesians 4:25). Truth, Paul reminds us, is foundational to healthy relationships and a just society.
When truth is compromised, justice itself begins to erode. The prophet Isaiah, in describing the moral decay of Israel, writes, "Truth has fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. So truth fails" (Isaiah 59:14-15, NKJV). A society where lying is accepted will inevitably see injustice rise, and righteousness move farther away.
Imagine a society where everyone adheres to the Ninth Commandment--where slander is non-existent, advertising and marketing are honest, politicians speak the truth about their plans and actions, and facts and statistics are presented without distortion. In such a society, justice would be experienced more fully, and trust would thrive.
This vision will one day become a reality when Christ rules over the earth, establishing His government of truth and justice. Until then, we are called to be a light in this world, upholding truth in our daily lives and encouraging others to do the same.
I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful and restful Sabbath, receiving both spiritual and physical blessings as we take a break from our regular responsibilities.
Have a wonderful Sabbath!
