False Witness

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” ESV Exodus 20:16

This past Sunday in bible study several couples enjoyed a very lively and candid discussion about the last three commandments. But I think it was this one (the ninth commandment) that prompted the most discussion. As we’ve gone through each of them one by one over the course of several weeks, a common trait has emerged; each of the Ten Commandments has a much deeper meaning than what is found on the surface and of course this one is no different.

On the surface the ninth commandment seems to be saying that we should not lie. This is a no brainer because the Gospel of John goes so far as to identify the Devil as the “father of lies” (John 8:44). With very little effort then, one could quickly guess that it is best to tell the truth (see Psalm 15). So, if Christians should refrain from lying and speak truthfully in all situations, it stands to reason that gossip and slander are out as well. So, where’s the rub? What’s so difficult about this commandment?

Well, how exactly are we supposed to convey truth? Also, while we would all readily agree that the truth should always be told, should all the truth always be told? Hmm... How is that for a mind bender?

Here’s an example we came up with in class. Suppose that we meet tomorrow in town and you are wearing a fine suit of cloths that accentuates the positive features of your face, your hair color, and even your eyes, but it also positively makes you look fifteen pounds heavier than your actual weight. If that were the case, would it be helpful for me to share with you all that I know to be true at that moment? No, of course not, that would be sinful just as surely as it would be sinful for me to lie and say the suit of clothes makes you look lighter.

You see, even when telling the truth, which is obviously commanded on the surface, other biblical principles come to bear on the situation. When it comes to words, one of my favorite biblical tests is this: Is what I’m saying likely to be received and understood as gracious by the person I’m speaking of? This principle comes straight from Ephesians 4:29 which says that Christians are to, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Whey not make it a goal this week to choose your words in such a way that your speech is both truthful and gracious? In the process, you’ll be honoring the deeper, fuller meaning of the ninth command.

Ken Askew

Murder

“You shall not murder.” ESV Exodus 20:13

“You shall not murder.” The command sounds simple and straight forward doesn’t it? But is this really a simple command? Is the sixth commandment really an easy commandment to obey? It may not be as easy as you think.

Jesus had a way of simplifying many Old Testament teachings. He summed up the gist of the Ten Commandments in two short sentences in Matthew 22 when he said “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In just two short sentences Jesus taught us how to relate to God and how to relate to our fellow man.

But Jesus also had a knack for expanding the true meaning of Old Testament teachings as well. In Matthew 5:22-23 Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment...” So, with these words, Jesus expanded the definition of murder to include anger, or murder in a spiritual, internal sense. John expands the definition further to include hate in 1 John 3:15 which says that, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer...”

Now, using this expanded definition of murder, it doesn’t take a lot of thought to conclude that the sixth commandment is a little more difficult to honor than its simple language might imply. Think how easy it is to be angry with someone. Think how easy it is to harbor hatred against someone who has done you wrong. Give it just a little thought and you’ll agree; it isn’t hard to break the sixth commandment!

So what’s the solution? How do you faithfully keep the sixth commandment? Well, I think it’s a task that is impossible in our own strength, but very doable in the power of the cross. Jerry Bridges likes to say we “need a daily appropriation of the Gospel.” That thought fits perfectly here, but it’s only meaningful to Christians. But when a Christian thinks he’s been wronged and is tempted to be angry, he needs only to think of the cross and how his sin debt, incurred because of his transgressions against God, was paid by Christ to bring forgiveness into his heart. When Christians are tempted to hate, they need only to think of how God displayed His love for them by sacrificing His son to put things into perspective.

Colossians 3:12-13 sums it up well: “Put on then, as god’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Ken Askew

The Fourth Commandment

“And he said to them [the Pharisees], “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” ESV Mark 2:27

Jesus summed up the first four of the Ten Commandments in one short sentence found in Matthew chapter 22. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Oh for the strength to live each day by this simple principle! Wouldn’t it be great if all distractions were gone and we had only to sit at the feet of Jesus? Imagine what it would be like. Imagine yourself as a disciple walking and talking with Jesus each and every morning. Christians should harbor no higher desire.

Now let me stretch your thinking a bit. Christians should, in essence, be doing that every Sunday morning in corporate worship. Walking with Christ.

Let’s not split hairs over which day of the week the Sabbath falls on; Saturday or Sunday. And let us not quibble over whether it is a commandment that the New Testament changed or rendered void. In other words, lets don’t act like a bunch of Pharisees. Instead, let’s focus on its purpose and meaning to us today. What is the meaning and purpose of a Sabbath’s Day rest?

Christ left no doubt that the Sabbath, that is the fourth commandment, was established for the benefit of man. But how so? Well, if you’ll look back to Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15 you’ll find two super answers.

First, it was initiated by God. God rested. Think about it. God had no reason to rest because God doesn’t get tired! Instead, God rested as an example that man could follow. God set a pattern if you will of how man could refresh himself, his household, his land, and even his livestock. Could you use some refreshment?

Secondly, it is a way to bring to our recollection spiritual bondage and gracious redemption. The Hebrews were told to observe the Sabbath in order to remember the Egyptian captivity and God’s gracious deliverance and redemption. Now, fast forward with me. If you call yourself a Christian today, doesn’t that mean that you have been redeemed from the captivity of sin? Yes! Christians have been redeemed from the captivity of sin just as surely as the Hebrews were redeemed from Egyptian captivity. Celebrating the Christian Sabbath on Sunday morning should bring this afresh to our minds.

One final observation. Obedience to the spirit and intent of the fourth commandment has a way of focusing you and everyone in your house on God. In other words, it promotes worship of our wonderful Creator, Redeemer and LORD.

If you’re interested in studying how the Ten Commandments apply today, permit me to recommend a book to you. The title is Written in Stone: The Ten Commandments and Today’s Moral Crisis by Philip Graham Ryken.

Ken Askew

Independence Day

“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” ESV Romans 6:6

All eyes, young and old, looked to the sky as the jets screamed down Main Street in the midday sun, banking sharply and disappearing in the distance only to reappear a few minutes later and an instant before the deafening roar of their engines. It was an unusual and awesome sight in downtown Russellville, forever etched in my twelve-year-old mind, and the crown jewel moment of our Independence Day celebration in July, 1976.

Of course, Independence Day is celebrated every year in this country and I pray that we can continue to do so from now on. It is good to remember the foreign grip of days gone by and to celebrate liberation and freedom from outside dominion and control. In some ways it is not unlike Jews celebrating freedom from Egyptian captivity as described in the book of Exodus; an annual celebration that continues till this day.

Much of the Apostle Paul’s writing in the New Testament compares and contrasts his old life as a non-believer to his new life as a Christian. The picture he paints is one of vivid contrast between darkness and light. On the one hand, he paints a dark, dark picture of a life controlled by evil. On the other, he paints a vibrant, vivid picture of his life as a Christian; liberated by Christ! Paul’s zeal for his newfound life in Christ is evidenced in every one of his writings. You might say that Paul celebrated Independence Day every day!

We can draw other comparisons that are much more personal and close to home. At least I hope we can. In last week’s column we looked at the tendency of human nature to be inclined towards evil and how we don’t have to teach our kids to do evil. How is that tendency broken? How is it that natural tendencies are replaced by righteous, God glorifying intentions? Paul describes the transformation as being alive in Christ instead of dead in sin. It is a transformation worthy of daily celebration and shouts of thanksgiving from all Christians.

Are you alive in Christ? Has God’s word, by the power of Holy Spirit, moved you so that you’ve asked God to forgive you for doing evil in his sight? That’s called repentance; the first step in liberation. Do you believe in Jesus Christ—that he died for your sins? Repentance and belief—the one two punch that brings new life in Christ and a personal Independence Day.

Repent and believe today. Let today be your Independence Day and celebrate it each and every day forevermore.

Ken Askew