The ninth commandment, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor, safeguards our bond with God by encouraging the pursuit and declaration of truth, which allows us to maintain a relationship with Him. God embodies truth, and those who speak truth from their heart dwell with Him. Speaking truthfully also demonstrates love for our fellow man, fostering unity and trust, while lies create separation and distrust. Bearing false witness is defined as lying, whereas a faithful witness provides accurate testimony, recounting events and information as they occurred without distortion for personal gain. God views lying as an abomination, and in the Old Covenant, a false witness would face the same penalty intended for the accused. The father of liars is satan, who lies from the core of his being, while God, in contrast, cannot lie, as truth is fundamental to His nature. The wrath of God falls upon those who suppress the truth, often because the wicked find it easier to lie than to live according to God's way. Lying begins in early childhood and can become deeply rooted in one's character unless overcome through repentance. Liars face severe consequences, including a final death, as they produce penalties, corruption, suffering, and irreparable damage to reputation. A Christian's aim should be to eliminate all falsehood from their character, aligning themselves with the image of Christ. Upon future repentance, Israel is tasked with purging deceit from their midst, following the example of the redeemed, who are without fault or deceit, and have overcome bearing false witness to enter God's Family, where liars are never permitted.

A primary purpose of examining the last six commandments, which govern our relationships with fellow human beings, is to reveal how trust within communities is shattered when they are broken. Regarding the ninth commandment, the sin of lying confirms in countless ways that we Israelites struggle immensely with being trustworthy. Deception seems almost inherent, as Jesus noted in John 1:46-47 when He said of Nathanael, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" This suggests a true Israelite should be without falsehood, candid, and sincere, reflecting a post-conversion character like that of Jacob, renamed Israel, who dealt honestly after his transformation. Lying is so woven into the fabric of our lives that expressions of mild disbelief like "Is that so?" are common. We expect exaggeration from advertisers, deceit from politicians, and dishonesty in various professions. Falsehood has become a way of life, evident in historical instances of leaders and public figures caught in lies, showing how pervasive this sin is among us. The ninth commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16), extends beyond mere courtroom lies to encompass any wrongful word or example that could harm others, including hypocrisy and self-deception. It holds a crucial place in man's relationship to others, mirroring the importance of the third commandment in our relationship with God. This commandment demands faithfulness and loyalty in our speech and witness before men. A good name, more valuable than riches, is tied to recognizing and submitting to truth in daily life, which builds trustworthiness and glorifies God. Lying often stems from a desire to cover irresponsibility or to elevate ourselves by diminishing others. Proverbs 26:18-19 warns that deceiving a neighbor, even as a supposed joke, is dangerous and harmful. Lying lips create false security and hide deceit that brings pain, as seen in financial scams and other betrayals. The boomerang effect of lying ensures that the liar's wickedness will be exposed, returning to destroy those who employ it. The heart's deceitful nature, as described in Jeremiah 17:9, continually tempts us to lie, making it an addiction that distorts reality. Confronting this fault through mercy, truth, and fear of the Lord is essential to depart from evil. Living the truth helps purge the mind of habitual sin, aligning us with God's desire for His children to embody truth as Jesus did. Keeping this commandment requires overriding internal drives to appear good, striving to be honest and true in God's sight to remain pure and honor Him.

God devotes two of the Ten Commandments to the evils of false witnessing, the third and the ninth. In Exodus 20:16, He commands, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor," yet liars and lying abound in every sphere of life. The ninth commandment regulates man's relationship to other men, directly involving faithfulness and loyalty in our speech and example for God before others. It encompasses not only perjury or gossip but also giving a false witness, example, or impression under any circumstance, including hypocrisy and self-deception. This commandment carries far-reaching spiritual applications and cannot be carelessly ignored as insignificant. The word "bear" indicates to spread, carry, render, or give, covering any testimony, whether verbal or by example, that tends to produce injury.

The Ninth Commandment addresses the profound issue of truthfulness in our relationships with others, revealing how deeply trust within communities is undermined by falsehood. Breaking this commandment, which forbids bearing false witness, is a pervasive problem that seems almost inherent among us, as if it is in our very nature. Lying has become so woven into the fabric of our lives that expressions of disbelief like "Is that so?" or "Do you really mean it?" are commonplace, reflecting our expectation of exaggeration or deceit from advertisers, politicians, businessmen, and even leaders in times of national interest. This pervasive dishonesty creates a culture where hypocrisy and deception are normalized, leading to a disconnect between our proclaimed beliefs and the conduct of our daily lives. God accuses His people of playing games with His truth, failing to live up to His standards while outwardly professing faith. He warns of severe consequences for such hypocrisy, likening Jerusalem to a burnt offering site, indicating His intent to utterly destroy it due to the people's insensitivity to truth and dishonesty's destructive power. This commandment extends beyond mere courtroom lies to encompass any falsehood that injures the reputation of God, oneself, or another, including hypocrisy and self-deception. It parallels the importance of the Third Commandment in guarding God's name, as it involves faithfulness and loyalty through our words and example before others. The motivation to lie often stems from a desire for approval, vanity, or an attempt to control situations through manipulation, leading to a damaged reputation and loss of trust. God equates lying with madness, as it inevitably causes harm, and stresses that facing reality now, even if painful, preserves one's reputation as a follower of truth. A deceitful heart, described as faithless, insincere, and treacherous, lies at the root of this resistance to truth, often deceiving oneself first before others, tarnishing one's name before God. Truth forms the foundation of conversion and sanctifies us, setting us apart to become like Christ, who embodies truth. God watches our response to reality, shaping us into leaders and teachers of a way of life based on revealed truth. A consistent perception of truth adds beauty to character, opening doors and gaining favor before men, while glorifying God. Trustworthiness and a righteous reputation are built on adhering to God's truth and truth in general, requiring us to face responsibility for our actions and change with His help, rather than blaming others or justifying failures. This commandment is vital, as truth sanctifies and draws us toward God's Kingdom. Practicing truth in speech and life, embodying it as Christ did, is essential to please the Father and achieve the character God welcomes into His Family.