=Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.=
_That is_,
We should fear and love God, 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 God 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.=