Do not bear false witness…what does this word actually mean? Who among us

never stretches the truth; never avoids upsetting someone unnecessarily

with a casual truth-omission, or holds back our honest thoughts and

feelings for all the right reasons?

In its original context, the ninth commandment was a prohibition against a

false word that could cost someone their life, but (just like the rest of

the them!) it speaks a truer word about being a people who bear true

witness. It's about community, justice, allegiance to the God of truth, and

building relational fabric of trust and honesty. To gospel-writer John,

truth was never presented as a principle or standard—it is a person. Jesus

is Truth. He has given us the Spirit of Truth. And those who follow Him are

called to speak, live, and embody truth in love. This truth-telling is not

about perfection, but participation: in the unity of Christ’s body, in the

slow, patient work of sanctification, and in resisting the all the language

of the deceiver.

By Hannah Flint