We spend a lot of time holding the Ten Commandments up as the codified form of our deepest moral values. However, I bet that if you ask the average person to list them in order, they would be unable to do it. So, in the interests of public awareness. From God’s lips to our ears.
Exodus 20
“And God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”
- “You shall have no other gods before[a]me.
- “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
- “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God
- “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God
- “Honor your father and your mother’
- “You shall not murder.
- “You shall not commit adultery.
- “You shall not steal.
Number Nine, Number Nine, Number Nine
Probably would have been fine if God had stopped there. However, for whatever reason Eight Commandments does not have the same weight as Ten.
“YOU SHALL NOT GIVE FALSE TESTIMONY AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR.” Often translated as, “THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS.”
Couple of things to clear up. One could make the case that the commandment does not forbid bearing false witness to someone other than your neighbor. In Luke, Neighbor is clearly defined as anyone and everyone. Second, In Biblical Times there was no Internet, No Published Books, No Broadcast Media. The person next to you, the people within your neighborhood constituted everyone.
Today the person next to you,” your neighbor”, could be a twelve-year-old who spends too much time on Facebook. A listener on your Podcast. THE SAME RULE APPLIES!
It means there is an affirmative obligation that when you speak, when you bear witness, you have done the hard work. You know that what you say is truthful.
Six Versus Nine
I would argue that Number 6 “You Shall Not Kill Your Neighbor” is less important than Number 9. An untruth can kill millions. A murderer can only kill one at a time. History has shown us again and again that an untruth can motivate legions of murderers.
Finally, we get to number 10 last on the list.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife . . .”, Fair Enough.
Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness
We live in a world of media outlets and social media where neighbors from far away speak loudly and forcefully in support of their interests. When they bear false witness, it is just as bad as murder, stealing someone’s car, screwing around on your wife. We seem to forget that in the heat of political drama we are not allowed to speak untruths to ascend to power.
In the New Testament during the Sermon on the Mount Jesus moved “Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness.” up to Number 6. He thought it was that important.
The Moral Obligation
Beware of those who tell us what we want to hear. Who see the obligation to speak truthfully as an encumbrance. Facts Matter! Truth Matters! It is a moral obligation deeply embedded in our Judeo-Christian Tradition. Take a breath. Listen Carefully. Seek the truth. Do not speak until, you are sure.