February 13, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism: The Eighth Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Job 9:1-35; John 4:46-54

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way. (Luther’s Small Catechism – The Eighth Commandment)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Gossip. That’s what the Eighth Commandment is about. False testimony is listed, but isn’t that what gossip is? Lying about your neighbor? Stretching the truth? Saying untrue things to hurt someone or to make yourself feel better?

Even saying true things can be gossiping when you say them for the wrong reasons. Has someone told you a deep, dark secret? Was it so juicy that you just couldn’t keep it to yourself? You just had to share it with that one person you thought you could trust? Or were you the betrayed one? Your secret got out. Someone lied about you. Made up a story for their own entertainment. 

Words can be nasty weapons that cut deep and hurt for a long time. Words can also be shields that protect. One of the hardest things to do is to stand up to gossip and defend someone against lies. It is also the most loving thing to do.

“Are you sure that’s true? Have you asked the person?” Brave words, those. Or, how about “I heard something about you. I want you to know what’s being said. Can I help you set things straight?” Defending and speaking well of your neighbor can be really hard to do, especially when it seems that you stand alone. But this is the Gift we’ve all been given: a good reputation. How do you defend it?

We have all been on both sides: betrayer and betrayed. Thanks be to God that the One who was betrayed to the cross shed his blood to cover that sin and shame. Because you have been washed anew in the blood of Jesus and the waters of Baptism, you can thank God that he doesn’t hold those sins against you; they are forgiven.

Jesus never believes the lies told about you, so he’ll never turn away when you are in your deepest need. Instead, it is entirely likely that one of your fellow Christians will stand beside you and help you through the rough times. Reach out for that help from your baptized neighbors. And be on the lookout when you can love your own neighbor in this way.

Loving your neighbor is the highest calling you have in this world. Our Lord has gifted you through your Baptism to do just that. Let him give you that strength, now and always.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

"Bear no false witness nor defame Your neighbor nor destroy his name, But view him in the kindest way; Speak truth in all that you say." Have mercy, Lord! (LSB 581:9)

-Rev. Duane Bamsch, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley, CA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.