An expository study of the ninth commandment from Deuteronomy 5:20, tracing the prohibition from its primary application in courtroom perjury outward to lying, backbiting, slander, gossip, and talebearing. The study draws on Deuteronomy 19, Leviticus 19, and extensive passages from Proverbs to show that the sanctity of truth is axiomatic to the right ordering of family, church, and civil society. Main points: - the prohibition — perjury in the courtroom - the broad act of lying - backbiting, slander, gossip, and talebearing Scripture references: - Exodus 23:1-6 - Leviticus 19:11-18 - Deuteronomy 4:5-8; 5:1-22; 17:6-7; 19:15-21 - Proverbs 6:16-19; 10:18; 11:13; 12:17-19; 12:22; 18:8; 18:13; 18:17; 19:5; 19:9; 20:19; 25:18; 25:23; 26:20; 26:22 - Matthew 7:12; 18:15-17 - Luke 10 - Romans 1:29-30 - Ephesians 4; 5:25-28 - 1 Timothy 5:19 - Hebrews 11 - Revelation 21:8 Free Grace Baptist Church — https://www.freegrace.ca Full transcript & sermon notes: https://sermons.freegrace.ca/sermons/bible-study-the-ninth-commandment Description generated by Tyrannus.ai: https://www.tyrannus.ai

The Ninth Commandment Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 43 112. What does the ninth Commandment require? That I bear false witness against no one, twist no one's words, be no backbiter or slanderer, join in condemning no one unheard or rashly; but that on pain of God's heavy wrath, I avoid all lying and deceit as the very works of the devil; and that in matters of judgment and justice and in all other affairs, I love, speak honestly, and confess the truth; also, insofar as I can, defend and promote my neighbor's good name. The sermon centers on the Ninth Commandment's call to uphold truth and reject all forms of deceit, emphasizing that lying—whether in speech, judgment, or self-deception—is rooted in the nature of the devil and contrary to God's character as the source of truth. It challenges the congregation to resist the cultural epidemic of gossip, slander, and hasty condemnation, urging careful discernment in media consumption and personal judgment, while highlighting the danger of self-deception and self-worship that distorts our perception of others. Christians are called not only to speak truth in justice and daily affairs but also to actively defend and promote their neighbor's good name, even when silence or discretion is required, reflecting Christ's call to bless rather than retaliate. The message underscores that true faithfulness to God involves a radical commitment to honesty, humility, and love, recognizing that our words should honor God and serve others, not fuel division or pride.

This sermon, rooted in James 4:11 and guided by Richard Baxter's theology of backbiting, confronts the pervasive sin of gossip with pastoral urgency and biblical precision. It defines backbiting not merely as falsehood, but as any harmful speech about another—whether true or not—when done without divine calling or redemptive purpose. The preacher emphasizes that while truth-telling is not inherently wrong, the absence of a just cause, sufficient evidence, and a desire to restore rather than destroy renders even truthful criticism sinful. Key principles include refraining from judgment when not called, avoiding blind trust in even credible sources, and resisting the temptation to spread rumors—even about clearly wicked individuals—because evil must never be done for the sake of good. The sermon calls believers to a higher standard: silence over slander, confrontation over gossip, and humility over pride, all grounded in the character of God, who demands justice and love in equal measure. Ultimately, it challenges listeners to repent of their complicity in destructive speech and to pursue a life of restraint, integrity, and grace.

We conclude our study of: Romans 1. With a description of : SODOM & ALLIES I. Specific Sins cont. (30-31) II. Aware of Judgment (32a) III. Willful Sin (32b) Also Reference: 1 Timothy 6:11-16 Hymns: Hymn # 4 C (G) "How Can It Be?" Hymn # 16 G (G) "Why Should He Love Me So?" Hymn # 360 A (G) "There Is A Fountain" Hymn # 363 C (G) "Saved By The Blood" https://bbfohio.com

00:00 Scripture Reading – Romans 1v30 03:23 Sermon Introduction – Sin Spiral Context 04:07 Point 1 – The Definition of Backbiting 11:40 Point 2 – The Damage of Backbiting 17:57 Backbiting Demonstrates a Reprobate Mind 20:52 Fruit of Reprobate Behavior 24:20 Point 3 – The Deeds of Backbiters 36:07 Early Church Faced Slander Too 40:48 Christian Backbiters and Their Danger 46:45 Point 4 – Deliverance from Backbiting 50:52 Gospel Illustration 54:08 Edify, Don't Tear Down 57:36 Christ Can Transform the Tongue 01:01:18 Closing Challenge and Invitation

Reading: Proverbs 26:27ff; Ephesians 4:15, 25, 29; 5:4 Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 43 1. What God Requires 2. What God Hates 3. What We Learn

Jesus told His disciples that they were to forgive their brother, even if he offended 7 times, and then repented seven times in a day. And the disciples said 'Lord, increase our faith!'

We will face hardship in this life. Can we face the people of hardship with patience? -Notes: https://pastormarksbury.blogspot.com/2025/04/sermon-patience-amid-suffering-james.html -Livestream: https://lwbcfruita.org/live -Donations: https://www.lwbcfruita.org/give