How are we to speak about our neighbor?

God wants us always to speak sincerely about our neighbor and in his or her best interest.

Rom. 12:9: Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cling to that which is good.

Col. 4:6: Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

This occurs when

1. We defend our neighbor against lies, gossip, and false and exaggerated accusations.
   
   

   Prov. 31:8-9: Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

   
   
   Luther: “Therefore, if you encounter an idle tongue which betrays and slanders some one, contradict such a one promptly to his face, that he may blush; thus many a one will hold his tongue who else would bring some poor man into bad repute, from which he would not easily extricate himself. For honor and a good name are easily taken away, but not easily restored.”



2. We sincerely speak about our neighbor’s truly good qualities and deeds, and commend him.
   
   

   1 Sam. 19:4: And Jonathon spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him: Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been theeward very good.




3. We don’t readily believe evil about our neighbor, but put the best construction on everything. We cover up his weaknesses and mistakes, pray for him, hope for improvement and always speak the truth ourselves.
   
   

   Prov. 14:30: A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy the rottenness of the bones.
   
   1 Pet.4:8: And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves; for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
   
   1 Cor. 13:7: (Love)...beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

   
   
   Luther: “It is especially an excellent and noble virtue for one always to
   explain advantageously and put the best construction upon all he may
   hear of his neighbor (if it be not notoriously evil), or at any rate to
   condone it over and against the poisonous tongues that are busy wherever
   they can pry out and discover something to blame in a neighbor,
   
   

Assignment: Read James 3:5-8: Our tongue can be the cause of a great curse or a great blessing.

How are we to apply the Eighth Commandment?

We are to apply the Eighth Commandment and justice in such a way that it is not used against the innocent. Thus, for example, concealing the truth from the enemies of our country or from evil doers, so that they cannot carry out their plans, is not a sin against this commandment — true love of our neighbor obligates us to do so. We are also obligated to reveal the evil intentions of others when we have knowledge of them. The government, parents, and some others, each in their own sphere of jurisdiction, have the right and the obligation to admonish, judge and punish evil. The congregation and its pastor have the right to use the power of the Office of the Keys.

Assignment: Read Joshua 2:4-5, and Heb. 11:31: Rahab did not speak the truth to the enemies of Israel. 1 Sam. 20:12-13: Jonathon promised to reveal evil intentions to David, and Acts 23:12-16: Paul’s nephew told Paul about the Jews’ intention to murder him.

What is false witness?

False witness includes all thoughts and words originating in our corrupt hearts that harm our neighbor’s honor and reputation.

The following are examples of this sin:

1. Lies, false testimony, false accusations, and false defense before a court of law or a government official, and false judgments.
   
   False witnesses:
   

   
   Prov. 19:5: A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

   
   
   Assignment: Read Acts 6:11-14: False witnesses against Stephen.
   
   False accusers: Read Matt. 27:12 and Joh. 18:29-30.
   
   Enacting unjust laws and defending a wrong matter.
   

   
   Is. 10:1-2: Woe unto them that decree unrighteousness decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; to turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

   
   
   False judges:
   
   

   Prov. 17:15: He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.
   
   Luke 23:24: And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required (to crucify Jesus).



2. When we speak about our neighbor with a deceitful and evil intent, contrary to the truth, and refrain from speaking the truth (gossip and slander).
   
   

   Eph.4:25: Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
   
   Joh. 8:44: Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar, and the father of it.

   
   
   Assignment: Read 2 Kings 5:19-27: Gehazi’s lies.


3. When we reveal what our neighbor has told us in confidence.
   
   Prov. 11:13: A talebearer revealeth secrets, but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.


4. When we speak evil about our neighbor to others.
   
   

   James 4:11: Speak not evil one of another.
   
   Luke 6:37: Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned.



5. When in our hearts we harbor evil against our neighbor and think evil of him.
   

   
   Zech. 8:17: Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate.

What does God forbid in the Eighth Commandment?

God forbids us to speak evil about our neighbor unless God’s Word commands or obligates us to do so.

What does God protect in the Eighth Commandment?

Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, nor defame our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.

In the Eighth Commandment God protects our neighbor’s honor and reputation.