Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

Gossiping and Backbiting

The Tongue and the Heart

What does the ninth commandment forbid? BR-ASI9 453.1

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Exodus 20:16. BR-ASI9 453.2

Note.—The evident object of this commandment is to guard the rights, interests, and reputation of our neighbor, by guarding our conversation, and confining our words to that which is strictly true. BR-ASI9 453.3

How did Christ teach the importance of guarding our speech? BR-ASI9 453.4

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:36, 37. BR-ASI9 453.5

To whom are our words all known? BR-ASI9 453.6

“For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether.” Psalm 139:4. BR-ASI9 453.7

Of what are one’s words an index? BR-ASI9 453.8

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew 12:34. BR-ASI9 453.9