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The Heidelberg Catechism (43) (Explained for Children)

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The Heidelberg Catechism (43) (Explained for Children)

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This Lord’s Day speaks of the ninth commandment.

Question 112: What is required in the ninth commandment?

Answer: That I bear false witness against no man nor falsify any man’s words; that I be no backbiter nor slanderer; that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly or unheard; but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit, as the proper works 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 and confess it; also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able, the honor and good character of my neighbor.

The Lord does not want us to lie to anyone; we must always speak the truth. That is not difficult if we have done nothing wrong and are totally innocent. Then we can say, “I have really not done it.” If we have done something wrong, however, then how easily a lie can be spoken! Then we are afraid that we will be punished. This is true even of small children. The Lord wants us to be honest even if it means that we will be punished. The Lord Jesus Himself always spoke the truth even though it cost Him His life.

If we begin with a lie, it often leads to more lies. We can see this, for example, in the story of Naaman. Elisha was enabled to heal Naaman of his leprosy, and the prophet wanted nothing for doing so, for it was the Lord who had done it. What did Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, do, however? He quickly ran after Naaman and said, “Sir, Elisha does want something from you.” What a lie! Naaman gave Gehazi some beautiful and expensive things which he hid. He then returned to Elisha who asked him, “Where have you been?” Gehazi answered, “I have not been anywhere.” Again he told a lie! Thus you see that one lie leads to another.

Lying and deceiving often go together. Jacob acted as if he were Esau. Since his old father could not see, he did not realize it. In this way Jacob deceived his father. When Isaac asked him who he was, he said, “I am Esau.” Thus he lied.

To distort someone’s words is also very wrong. This occurs when you do not repeat something exactly as it was spoken but say it differently, for example, by adding or leaving out a word. It then has an entirely different meaning; it is therefore the same as lying.

Do you know what a backbiter is? That is someone who speaks evil about someone else; often this is then passed on to others. Slandering is even worse; a slanderer tells lies about someone. This, too, is a sin against the ninth commandment.

Sometimes we accuse a person without proof, not really being certain whether or not he has done something. We may think he has done it, but if we do not know for certain, we should not accuse someone. Oh, how vile and evil our hearts are. What terrible sins live in our hearts!

Do you know what these sins against the ninth commandment are called? They are called “the works of the devil.” Indeed, the devil is the father of lies. He is always lying. This began already in Paradise where he said to Adam and Eve, “It is not true what God has said to you.” The devil wants us to lie, to deceive, and to slander.

The Lord’s heavy wrath is brought down by such sins, and therefore He will severely punish us because of them. This punishment already often takes place in this life. What was the punishment that Gehazi received? He became leprous. How was Jacob punished? He could no longer remain at home but had to flee from Esau.

God forbids all lies and deceit, but He also commands something. He commands that we love the truth and that we always speak the truth. He commands us to be honest and upright before Him and before others. Yes, it is also important to be truthful before Him, for we must not try to hide our sins from the Lord. We must honestly confess all things before Him. That is what the Lord desires us to do, and He also wants us to pray to Him for forgiveness. We must ask the Lord to give us an upright heart.

One thing more: we know how we can grieve others by lying and deceit, how badly we can harm others by slander and by telling wicked things about them. The Lord forbids this, for the Lord desires that we deal kindly with others. Therefore let us only tell the good things about others. How would we feel if they would tell others wrong things about us?

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The Heidelberg Catechism (43) (Explained for Children)

Bekijk de hele uitgave van dinsdag 1 mei 2007

The Banner of Truth | 24 Pagina's