As I'm studying what the Proverbs say about what we say, it becomes clearer and clearer that this wisdom is built upon and expanding the 9th Commandment: "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."
The Westminster Larger Catechism, a brilliant presentation of the foundational Christian truths in question and answer format, extensively expands this commandment, and cites biblical references for every sentence of the expansion. Proverbs is mentioned 15 times in the notes - I know now the divines (that's what the authors of the Westminster Documents are called) must have had to pick and choose.
I'm not sure whether I will present this to the congregation on Sunday, but have produced it here because it so succinctly captures the heart of the Scriptures on the use and abuse of words, and because even if I do read it aloud on Sunday, it's a lot to take in, and requires some reflection:
"Question 144: What does the ninth commandment require?
"This commandment requires that we maintain and promote truthfulness in our dealings with each other and the good reputation of others as well as ourselves. We must come forward and stand up for the truth, speaking the truth and nothing but the truth from our hearts, sincerely, freely, clearly, and without equivocation, not only in all matters relating to the law and justice but in any and every circumstance whatsoever. We must have a charitable regard for others, loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good reputation as well as regretting and putting the best light on their failings. We must freely acknowledge their talents and gifts, defending their innocence, readily receiving a good report about them and reluctantly admitting a bad one. We should discourage gossips, flatterers, and slanderers; we should love and protect our own good reputation and defend it when necessary; we should keep every lawful promise we make no matter what; and finally we should do the best we can to focus our lives and thoughts on things that are true, noble, lovely, and admirable.
Question 145: What particular sins does the ninth commandment forbid?
This commandment forbids everything detrimental to the truth and good reputation of others as well as our own, with special reference to legal matters in the courts. We must not give untrue evidence, suborn perjury, knowingly appear and plead on behalf of an evil cause, or engage in overbearing and boastful exaggeration. We should never participate in passing an unjust sentence, call evil good or good evil, or reward the wicked in a way appropriate to the wicked. Forgery is forbidden, as is concealing the truth, remaining silent in a just cause, and not taking it on ourselves to reprove or complain to others about some wrong. We must not speak the truth at an inappropriate time, or maliciously to promote a wrong purpose, nor pervert it into a wrong meaning, into ambiguous equivocations, or in such ways as to undermine truth and justice. Also forbidden are: saying anything untrue, as well as lying, slandering, backbiting, belittling, gossiping, whispering, ridiculing, reviling, and expressing any kind of judgmental opinion that is rash, harsh, or prejudiced; misconstruing intentions, words and actions; flattery and ostentatious boasting; thinking or speaking too highly or too poorly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts of God or the effects of his grace on us; exaggerating the significance of trivial faults; concealing, excusing, or rationalizing our sinful behavior when we are called to confess it voluntarily; gratuitously revealing the problems and failings of others; spreading false rumors, receiving and approving evil reports, and refusing to listen to a just defense; harboring evil suspicions; being envious of or grieved by the deserved honors others receive, trying to discredit those honors, and rejoicing at someone else’s disgrace or evil reputation; scornful contempt and foolish admiration; breaking our lawful promises; and finally, failing to promote everyone’s good name, and doing, not avoiding or not hindering in others, as we can, those things that give people a bad name.”
Let's assume for the moment that the Westminster Divines got it right, that this great detail is exactly what the 9th commandment requires and forbids (Given the nature of Proverbs, as well as Matthew 7, 15; Colossians 3; James 3; and others, I think they're right on). Assuming they are right, at how many points in the last 24 hours have you transgressed? How about the last week? What about the last time you were angry? Embarrassed? Trying to make an impression?
Suddenly, Paul and James seem onto something - Paul says that all our throats are open graves, that everyone utters lies (Romans 3), and James laments the reality that no man can tame the tongue... truly, like the great hymn declares: "I need thee, Oh I need thee, I need thee every hour!"
The Westminster Larger Catechism, a brilliant presentation of the foundational Christian truths in question and answer format, extensively expands this commandment, and cites biblical references for every sentence of the expansion. Proverbs is mentioned 15 times in the notes - I know now the divines (that's what the authors of the Westminster Documents are called) must have had to pick and choose.
I'm not sure whether I will present this to the congregation on Sunday, but have produced it here because it so succinctly captures the heart of the Scriptures on the use and abuse of words, and because even if I do read it aloud on Sunday, it's a lot to take in, and requires some reflection:
"Question 144: What does the ninth commandment require?
"This commandment requires that we maintain and promote truthfulness in our dealings with each other and the good reputation of others as well as ourselves. We must come forward and stand up for the truth, speaking the truth and nothing but the truth from our hearts, sincerely, freely, clearly, and without equivocation, not only in all matters relating to the law and justice but in any and every circumstance whatsoever. We must have a charitable regard for others, loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good reputation as well as regretting and putting the best light on their failings. We must freely acknowledge their talents and gifts, defending their innocence, readily receiving a good report about them and reluctantly admitting a bad one. We should discourage gossips, flatterers, and slanderers; we should love and protect our own good reputation and defend it when necessary; we should keep every lawful promise we make no matter what; and finally we should do the best we can to focus our lives and thoughts on things that are true, noble, lovely, and admirable.
Question 145: What particular sins does the ninth commandment forbid?
This commandment forbids everything detrimental to the truth and good reputation of others as well as our own, with special reference to legal matters in the courts. We must not give untrue evidence, suborn perjury, knowingly appear and plead on behalf of an evil cause, or engage in overbearing and boastful exaggeration. We should never participate in passing an unjust sentence, call evil good or good evil, or reward the wicked in a way appropriate to the wicked. Forgery is forbidden, as is concealing the truth, remaining silent in a just cause, and not taking it on ourselves to reprove or complain to others about some wrong. We must not speak the truth at an inappropriate time, or maliciously to promote a wrong purpose, nor pervert it into a wrong meaning, into ambiguous equivocations, or in such ways as to undermine truth and justice. Also forbidden are: saying anything untrue, as well as lying, slandering, backbiting, belittling, gossiping, whispering, ridiculing, reviling, and expressing any kind of judgmental opinion that is rash, harsh, or prejudiced; misconstruing intentions, words and actions; flattery and ostentatious boasting; thinking or speaking too highly or too poorly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts of God or the effects of his grace on us; exaggerating the significance of trivial faults; concealing, excusing, or rationalizing our sinful behavior when we are called to confess it voluntarily; gratuitously revealing the problems and failings of others; spreading false rumors, receiving and approving evil reports, and refusing to listen to a just defense; harboring evil suspicions; being envious of or grieved by the deserved honors others receive, trying to discredit those honors, and rejoicing at someone else’s disgrace or evil reputation; scornful contempt and foolish admiration; breaking our lawful promises; and finally, failing to promote everyone’s good name, and doing, not avoiding or not hindering in others, as we can, those things that give people a bad name.”
Let's assume for the moment that the Westminster Divines got it right, that this great detail is exactly what the 9th commandment requires and forbids (Given the nature of Proverbs, as well as Matthew 7, 15; Colossians 3; James 3; and others, I think they're right on). Assuming they are right, at how many points in the last 24 hours have you transgressed? How about the last week? What about the last time you were angry? Embarrassed? Trying to make an impression?
Suddenly, Paul and James seem onto something - Paul says that all our throats are open graves, that everyone utters lies (Romans 3), and James laments the reality that no man can tame the tongue... truly, like the great hymn declares: "I need thee, Oh I need thee, I need thee every hour!"
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