Ten Words · Stop 5
How can our words protect our neighbor instead of hurting them?
A rumor can spread through a whole school before lunch. A screenshot can last forever. Today you'll look at the commandment about words, and Luther's surprising advice on what to say about other people.
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The eighth commandment says not to give false testimony against your neighbor. In a court, that means lying about someone. Luther said it covers every way we damage someone's name: lies, gossip, rumors, and mean jokes.
Then Luther added something harder. Defend your neighbor, speak well of them, and “put the best construction on everything.” That means when you don't know the whole story, you assume the best, not the worst.
This applies online too. Sharing a screenshot to embarrass someone, posting a rumor, or piling on in the comments are all ways of breaking this commandment.
Words can build people up. James says the tongue is small but can start a forest fire. Paul says to only say what helps and builds others up.
Read it in your Bible
- James 3:5–10. James says the tongue is small, like a spark that can set a whole forest on fire. With the same mouth we bless God and curse people made in God's image. It shouldn't be that way.
- Ephesians 4:29. Paul tells the church not to let any harmful talk come out of their mouths, only words that build others up and give grace to the people who hear them.
The Eighth Commandment, from Luther's Small Catechism
You shall not give false testimony.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.
Words to know
- Gossip. Talking about someone behind their back in a way that hurts them. Even true stories can be gossip if they're told to harm someone.
- Rumor. A story passed around without anyone knowing if it's true. Luther said to defend your neighbor, not help a story spread.
- Tongue. What James compares to a small fire that burns a whole forest. A few words can do a lot of damage, or a lot of good.
- Defend. What Luther says to do for your neighbor when others speak against them. Sometimes the most faithful words are “That's not fair to them.”
- Kindness. The spirit behind putting the best construction on everything. Assuming the best about people is a way of loving them.