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A Word from Our Sponsor For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. -- John 18:37 The Heidelberg Catechism: Part 3 - Thankfulness Week 43: The Ninth Commandment 112. Q. What is required in the ninth commandment? A. That I do not bear false witness against anyone, twist anyone's words, be a gossip or a slanderer, or condemn anyone lightly without a hearing. Rather I am required to avoid, under penalty of God's wrath, all lying and deceit as the works of the devil himself. In judicial and all other matters I am to love the truth, and speak and confess it honestly. Indeed, insofar as I am able, I am to defend and promote my neighbor's good name. [Lev. 19:11-12; Ps. 15; Prov. 12:22; 13:5 ;19:5, 9; 21:28; Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:37; John 8:44; Rom. 1:28-32; I Cor. 13:6; Eph. 4:25; I Pet. 3:8-9; 4:8; Rev. 21:8 ] Suggestions for discussion and review: 1. Today's Catechism lists five types of lies, but there are many more. List a few more and the give examples of each, including those in Q&A 112. 2. What are two specific reasons given that Christians ought to avoid lying and deceit? According to Ephesians 4:25, what is a third reason? 3. How should a life guided by truthfulness show in our attitude, our speech, and our treatment of neighbors? (See also Ephesians 4:15.) 4. There are times or situations in which the law of love influences God's people to make exceptions to the law of truthfulness. Explain how love guides truthfulness in the following situations: stories in the Scriptures where deceit was acceptable Christians in Nazi occupied Europe a crime witness whose family is threatened if he testifies a friend who asks your opinion of her new hairstyle that you think looks really bad * * * * * * * * * * Truth has no special time of its own. Its hour is now--always. -- Albert Schweitzer