![]() ![]() And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. ![]() And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. (See Truth & Deception at for a much fuller discussion of this topic, including whether the prohibition of “false witness against your neighbor” includes all forms of lying and deception.But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. A complete theology of truth and deception draws on texts including, but not limited to, the ninth commandment. At the same time, we recognize that deception is sometimes practiced, accepted, and even approved in the Scriptures. But the divine origin of the ninth commandment reminds us that God cannot be fooled. Is issuing false or misleading financial statements a violation of the ninth commandment? How about exaggerated advertising claims, even if they do not falsely disparage competitors? What about assurances from management that mislead employees about impending layoffs? In a world where perception often counts for reality, the rhetoric of persuasion may care little for truth. The commandment specifically prohibits speaking falsely about another person, but it brings up the question of whether we must tell the truth in every kind of situation. In the interest of presenting one’s own products and services in the best possible light, to what extent may one point out the flaws and weaknesses of the competition without incorporating their perspective? Is it possible that the rights of “your neighbor” could include the rights of other companies? The scope of our global economy suggests this command may have wide application indeed. But what about cases when an employee tarnishes the reputation of a co-worker? Can truth ever truly be spoken when the person being talked about is not there to speak for him or herself? And what about assessments of performance? What safeguards ought to be in place to ensure that reports are fair and accurate? On a large scale, the business of marketing and advertisement operates in the public space among organizations and individuals. Some of it pertains to personal, off-site matters, which is evil enough. This further suggests that workplace gossip is a serious offense. More than merely not participating, it is up to Christians to stop rumors and those who spread them in their tracks. It is wrong to pass along hearsay in any form, even as prayer requests or pastoral concerns. As Christians, we must refuse to participate in or to tolerate any conversation in which a person is being defamed or accused without the person being there to defend himself. Accusations are made hearsay allowed slander, perjury, and libelous comments uttered without objection. ![]() These de facto courtrooms are conducted without due process of law. ![]() Politicians seek to destroy one another in negative campaigning gossip columnists feed off calumny and in Christian living rooms, reputations are tarnished or destroyed over cups of coffee served in fine china with dessert. We should never say or do anything that misrepresents someone else. Walter Brueggemann says this commandment recognizes “that community life is not possible unless there is an arena in which there is public confidence that social reality will be reliably described and reported.” Īlthough stated in courtroom language, the ninth commandment also applies to a broad range of situations that touch practically every aspect of life. Manipulating them undercuts the ethical fabric of society and thus constitutes a serious offense. Judicial decisions and other legal processes wield great power. It finds pointed application in legal proceedings where what people say depicts reality and determines the course of lives. The ninth commandment honors the right to one’s own reputation. Learning From the Psalms How to Pray Through Your Work.Beyond Rank and Power: What Philemon Tells Us About Leadership.Evangelism - Sharing the Gospel at Work.10 Key Points About Work in the Bible Every Christian Should Know. ![]()
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