Title: Ten Commandments Part 10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV) Each one of the Ten Commandments was given to protect something precious to you… - Worship of God - Relationship with God - Witness to the watching world - Family - Marriage - Human life - Property - Importance of honesty in the legal system “Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16 (CSB) Key Elements for a Healthy Nation - A concern for justice for all its citizens - To live peacefully as one nation - To show genuine respect for all people “Mankind, He has told each of you what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (CSB) Truthfulness is important in every area of the legal system - Judge and Jury - Prosecution and Defense - Witnesses Without truthfulness people become frustrated, which leads to unrest. Injustice breeds more unrest! A witness is not called to the stand to give an honest testimony by the judge, the prosecution, or the defense. The witness is called to the stand to give an honest testimony by God! Created in the image of God, we are to display the character of God, the righteousness of God, and the goodness of God at all times. THE LAWS OF HOLINESS “Do not steal, do not act deceptively or lie to one another. Do not swear falsely by My name, profaning the name of your God; I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:11-12 (CSB) LIE = TO DECEIVE Why is lying such a big deal? - Lying affects relationships - Deception breeds distrust - Distrust causes discontentment - Being discontent means we are no longer a peaceful people - Satan is the father of lies “You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 (CSB) Why do people lie? - Protect self - Gain an advantage - Impress others - Intentionally harm (slander) - Situational ethics How do people lie? - Fail to tell the whole truth (A half-truth is a whole lie!) - Embellish - Flattery - Gossip - Question someone’s motives - Misrepresent someone - Silence THE NINTH COMMANDMENT IS ABOUT LOVING AND RESPECTING ONE ANOTHER AND PLACING A HIGH VALUE ON TRUTH 3 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE WE SPEAK… 1. Is it true? 2. Is it necessary? 3. Is it kind?