Luther's Small Catechism Part 10

=Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.=

_That is_,

We should fear and love G.o.d, and not tell lies about our neighbor, nor betray, slander, or defame him; but excuse him, speak well of him, and look upon all his acts as well-meant.

_93. What is "false witness"?_

All untruthful speaking about our neighbor, in or out of court.

_94. How does one bear false witness in court?_

When a witness swears to a lie, and when a judge decides wrong to be right, and right to be wrong.

_95. How do we bear false witness out of court?_

When we tell lies about our neighbor and slander or defame him in our conversation.

=Eph. 4:25. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor.=

_96. Do we sin when we speak truthfully of our neighbor's faults?_

Yes; when we do so with an unloving heart, either because we wish to hurt our neighbor, or thoughtlessly and in gossiping.

=Matt. 12:36. Every idle word that man shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.=

_97. What does G.o.d require of us in the eighth commandment?_

We must always be truthful, excuse, and speak well of our neighbor, as far as truth permits, and look upon all his acts as well-meant.

=1 Cor. 13:5-7. Love thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.=

THE NINTH COMMANDMENT.

=Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.=

_That is_,

We should fear and love G.o.d, and not by deceit or craft seek to gain our neighbor's inheritance or home, nor try to get it though we seem to have some right thereto, but help him to keep his own.

THE TENTH COMMANDMENT.

=Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his.=

_That is_,

We should fear and love G.o.d, and not estrange, force, or entice away from our neighbor, his wife, servants, or cattle, but urge them to stay and do their duty.

_98. What do the ninth and tenth commandments forbid?_

All sinful desire to get what belongs to our neighbor.

_99. What does G.o.d require of us in the ninth and tenth commandments?_

We must heartily wish our neighbor all good, rejoice in his success, and help him to keep what he owns.

_100. What, then, does G.o.d require of us in His holy Law?_

Perfect purity and holiness in all our thoughts and desires, words and acts.

=James 2:10. Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.=

=Matt 5:48. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.=

_101. What does G.o.d say of all his commandment?_

=I the Lord thy G.o.d am a jealous G.o.d, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the= =third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.=

_That is_,

G.o.d threatens to punish all who transgress these commandments; we should therefore fear His wrath, and do nothing against them.

On the other hand He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments; we should therefore love Him and trust in Him, and gladly do according to His commandments.

_102. Of what does G.o.d remind us by these words?_

He reminds us of the fact that He is a just G.o.d, who in His holy wrath punishes every sin.

_103. What is sin?_

Sin is any thought or feeling, word or act, which is contrary to G.o.d's holy Law.

_104. What is meant by original sin?_

Original sin is the inborn wickedness, deep corruption, and evil disposition, of the human heart.

=Ps. 51:5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.=

=Rom. 5:12. By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death pa.s.sed upon all men, for that all have sinned.=

_105. What is actual sin?_

Actual sin is all evil thoughts and desires, words and acts, springing from original sin.

_106. Is neglecting to do good as sinful as doing wrong?_

Yes, indeed; to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.