Deuteronomy 5:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

2) Perjury in everyday life: a) We must not lie about our neighbors: Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each of us speak the truth to our neighbor, for we are members of one another (Ephesians 4:25). - Whoever desires to see good days and love life must refrain their tongue from evil and their lips from speaking deceit (1 Peter 3:10). - You will bring ruin upon those who speak lies; the Lord detests the bloodthirsty and deceitful (Psalm 5:7). b) We must remain faithful: A gossip reveals secrets, but a trustworthy person conceals matters (Proverbs 20:19). c) We must refrain from speaking evil against one another: Do not speak evil against one another, brothers; whoever speaks against a brother or judges a brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge (James 4:11). d) We should not slander: Do not slander; do not act arrogantly or deceitfully with your tongue, for shame comes upon the thief, and reproach upon the double-tongued (Sirach 1:16-17).

The ninth commandment uplifts the following virtues: a) We are called to speak the truth: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who make bitter sweet and sweet bitter (Isaiah 5:20). b) We should speak well of our neighbors: Sweet speech increases friendships, and a gracious tongue brings delight (Sirach 6:5). - Judge not, lest you be judged. For by the standard you use in judging, you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive. And why do you notice the speck in your brother's eye but fail to see the beam in your own? (Matthew 7:1-3). c) We must avoid idle chatter and excessive talk: Those who restrain their tongue will live in peace, and those who despise gossip will lessen wrongdoing (Sirach 19:6). - Do not speak too much before elders, and do not repeat your words in your requests (Sirach 7:14).

Explanation of the Ninth Commandment of God's Law

(a) Types of Sins Against the Ninth Commandment: Regrettably, nothing seems to be abused as much as the gift of speech, leading to countless harmful words, false beliefs, and baseless judgments about our neighbors.

aa) Slander is one of the gravest offenses arising from this misuse of speech. It is born from the devil, the enemy of humankind, who seeks to destroy love among people, inciting false suspicions and turning good into evil, fostering jealousy, hostility, and conflict. The slanderer seeks to tarnish their neighbor’s reputation, spreading misinformation. Such actions warrant severe condemnation from God. How many instances exist where God's judgment has fallen on those who slander others! Scripture asserts that “a false witness will not be unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape” (Proverbs 19:5). St. Tikhon of Voronezh describes slander as a vile evil, like a contagion that harms those who listen (as an infected person carries disease). Slander can destroy lives, sever friendships, and generate mistrust. Even good people can perish from slanderous tongues, and the unjust words of many can dismantle strongholds and disrupt the noblest of families (Sirach 28:17). This malevolence serves as a barrier to following Christ's commandments. King David sought sanctuary from slander, praying, “Lord, deliver me from the slander of men, and I will keep Your commandments” (Psalm 118:144).

bb) Condemnation of neighbors: The habit of condemning others is widespread, often dismissed as a minor fault. Wherever we turn, we find judgments passed upon others. This pervasive tendency is particularly evident in our conversations, revealing our lack of awareness or concern about the sin. “Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light the hidden things and the counsels of the heart” (1 Corinthians 4:5). True judgment belongs solely to the Lord, who sees the secrets of our hearts. The Apostle James reminds us that only God possesses the wisdom to judge rightly (James 4:12). Therefore, every act of judging another leaves us culpable, as we condemn ourselves by the same standards we apply to others (Romans 2:1).

We may believe that our neighbor’s wrongful actions justify our judgment, but can we claim that our behavior is without flaw? How often does it take for someone to repent and seek God’s mercy? Even if someone’s deeds are known to us, we cannot grasp their internal struggles before God. Outward appearances can be misleading. During Jesus’ time, the Pharisees were viewed as righteous while the tax collectors were deemed sinners, revealing how flawed human judgments can be (Matthew 23; Luke 18:10, 14).

cc) The commandment forbids all forms of lying. Every lie distorts the divine gift of language. Lies undermine societal order, erode public trust, and cheapen our words. They offend God, who is Truth itself. “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 12:22). Lies tarnish the reputation of the liar, expose weakness, and lead to eventual ruin, as “the mouth of liars will kill the soul” (Proverbs 1:11). Lying is a vice, an abomination before God and individuals. Can genuine love exist among us if we speak falsehoods about one another, especially when spoken with malice? Let us diligently avoid deceit in every form!

dd) Finally, this commandment warns against all idle chatter. The Savior stated that for every careless word we speak, we will be held accountable in the judgment (Matthew 12:36). Thus, St. Paul insists we abstain from corrupt speech, letting no evil talk come from our mouths (Ephesians 4:29). The holy King David serves as an example, declaring, “I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle” (Psalm 38:2).

e) Action Steps to Uphold the Ninth Commandment: The Apostle James describes the tongue as a fire (James 3:5-8). Hence, to avoid transgressions against the ninth commandment, we must adhere to the Apostle’s guidance:

aa) Keep our tongues free from lies, deceit, and idle speech. If one desires to love life and see good days, they must refrain from evil and falsehood (1 Peter 3:10).

bb) Cultivate an unwavering love for truth and righteousness in all endeavors.

cc) Recognize that through lying, we inflict grave offenses and suffering upon others. The Apostle Paul affirmed that it would be better for him to die than to allow anyone to celebrate the ruin of another (1 Corinthians 9:15).

dd) Understand that speaking lies is to mimic the devil, the father of lies (John 8:44).

ee) Finally, to tame our tongues, we should seek God and pray, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips,” or, “O Lord of my life, do not give me the spirit of idleness.”