ROOTED - Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Exodus 20:16
 16 … You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Reflection: Question #71
Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro
Question: What is the Ninth Commandment?
Answer: Exodus 20:16
White lies. That is what one calls small, innocent “mistruths.” But there is nothing innocent about lies. If lies had a color, they certainly would not be white. Even the word “mistruth” (if that is even a word) is to soft peddle the fact that God puts telling lies on the top ten list. To say something (especially about others) is repugnant to God. Interestingly, this may be the commandment that is the easiest to downplay and, especially with young children, to make into a cute thing. However, there seems to be something in the heart of God that makes God take this particular sin so seriously.         
Here is what we know: Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” We know that we are to worship God in “spirit and in truth.” We know that the Enemy (the one who is against God, wants to destroy our souls, and is called the “deceiver”) Jesus calls “the father of lies.” When we lie, we are going in the exact opposite direction as God’s character, who is truth and in whom there is no darkness. When we speak the truth, we behave as God does. When we lie, we are like the “father of lies” (John 8), deceiving others. How would liars ever convince others that God is true? We, as believers, must not take this lightly. We have a Father who tells the truth. He is truth… and so we follow in his steps.  

Prayer
Lord, may we reflect your character in telling the truth. Forgive us when we lie, failing to live up to your calling on our life to reflect you.