Procedure, Polity, and Defending Sin

By Pastor Benjamin Glaser - Posted at Thoughts From Parson Farms: 

How the Ninth Commandment Teaches Us About Truth-Telling

Howdy!

Man, out of all the catechism questions we’ve gone through over the past year and a half I am pretty sure not only is this the longest one, but it is the one that highlights every single problem we experience in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The length of today’s essay cannot do the totality of the Q/A justice. Part of me wants to do about twelve posts on each of the clauses contained herein. However, I don’t figure you particularly want that level of minutiae. That all being said I highly recommend slowly reading through each of them and imbibe deeply into your soul the stuff listed. It is convicting, at least it is for me. As we get into the WLC this morning I will try and do justice to the thought of our forefathers in the faith, for it is definitely all-encompassing in regards to what the ninth requires of God’s covenant people.

To ignore what is below is to do real damage to your soul and walk with the Lord.

Read the Q/A:

Q. 145: What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbours, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, out-facing and over-bearing the truth; passing unjust sentence, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice; speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, talebearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vain-glorious boasting, thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumours, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defence; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any, endeavouring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.

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