Q. 76 Which is the ninth commandment---A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.--Q. 77 What is required in the ninth commandment---A. The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour's good name, especially in witness bearing.--Q. 78 What is forbidden in the ninth commandment---A. The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbour's good name.--In verse 21, notice how it speaks about hearing Christ-being taught by Him-as the truth is in Him. When we hear Him, we believe the truth and we become a people who are of the truth. As such, there is no place among us for lies- Therefore, we are instructed to put away lying.

Somebody needs to do something- Those are the words you sometimes hear when things are going wrong. We see the destruction of our society. Isaiah outlines similar problems in his day -Isa 1-5-8-. What is needed is not deliverance by the hand of man-but deliverance from the Lord.

Q. 76 Which is the ninth commandment---A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.--Q. 77 What is required in the ninth commandment---A. The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour's good name, especially in witness-bearing.--Q. 78 What is forbidden in the ninth commandment---A. The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbour's good name.--Today, as we look in more detail at this commandment, I want to focus on badmouthing and its close relative, boasting.--You see how the Holy Spirit tells us through James what a problem our tongues are- There is not a person alive that does not sin with their tongue. Much harm is done by these sins. Our tongue is a major outlet from our wicked hearts.

This Sunday, we will continue our series in the Song of Solomon. For the last couple of weeks, we have been looking at chapter 7 where the Bridegroom -who represents Christ in the Song of Solomon- expresses His delight in His Bride -who represents the believing church in this Song-she is one bride with many members-. After hearing of His delight in us, we -His church- conclude that- -I am my beloved's, and His desire is toward me.-

Q. 31 What is effectual calling---A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit wherein, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the gospel.--Ezekiel 36 shows you that it is God who gathers us to Christ for salvation. It is He who not only calls us, but who effectually calls those who are saved.

There are two things the really get people going-envy and adoration. When there is someone who is being honoured and you think they shouldn't be and you become filled with envy, you take every chance you get to bring them down. When there is someone that you adore and truly believe ought to be honoured, you do the opposite. You take every opportunity to exalt them and to promote them.

Q. 30 How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ---A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.--You see that there are two things here -which we will look at in reverse order--That the Spirit works faith in us- And that by this instrument of faith, the Spirit unites us to Christ.

As we move into this new section, I want to introduce to you a new Psalm of Focus that we will sing each week as we cover this material. The Psalm I have chosen is Psalm 88. It has been called the most doleful Psalm because it not only is full of lamentation, but it also ends in lamentation-with no expression that relief has been found. But I aim to show you that this Psalm is a beautiful expression of unquenchable faith from the heart of one who deeply loves His God.