10 For Ten 8 (Exodus 20.16)

In this week’s message, we look at the command, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”  With nothing like the modern science of forensics which we have today, the ancient world relied on eyewitness testimony even more than we do. It was essential, then, that people be honest (and certainly not malicious) in their testimony.

While testimony in court is the more immediate focus of this command, it certainly provides a foundation for God’s commands about all kinds of speech. Our words matter and can either do great harm or bring great blessing to others.

We must walk the path of honesty, watch our words, and seek to build others up instead of tearing them down.