WSC Q76-78b: Badmouthing & Boasting

Q. 76 Which is the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Q. 77 What is required in the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour's good name, especially in witness-bearing.

Q. 78 What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbour's good name.

Today, as we look in more detail at this commandment, I want to focus on badmouthing and its close relative, boasting.

You see how the Holy Spirit tells us through James what a problem our tongues are! There is not a person alive that does not sin with their tongue. Much harm is done by these sins. Our tongue is a major outlet from our wicked hearts.