First, you must agree that the Catechism has correctly explained the implications of the Commandment. Assuming it has, you must agree with God that you are obligated to carry out those principles in your life.
Second you must ask yourself if you have violated each aspect of the command.
Third, you must take steps to develop the Character of Christ, and eliminate "character defects" from your life.
Question 143: Which is the ninth commandment?
Answer: The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neighbor.
Question 144: What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?
Answer: The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and
promoting of truth between man and man, and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our
own; appearing and standing for the truth; and from the heart, sincerely, freely, clearly,
and fully, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice, and
in all other things: Whatsoever; a charitable esteem of our neighbors; loving, desiring,
and rejoicing in their good name; sorrowing for, and covering of their infirmities; freely
acknowledging of their gifts and graces, defending their innocency; a ready receiving of a
good report, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report, concerning them; discouraging
talebearers, flatterers, and slanderers; love and care of our own good name, and defending
it when need requires; keeping of lawful promises; studying and practicing of: Whatsoever
things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report.
Question 145: What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?
Answer: The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the
truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own, especially in public
judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and
pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence,
calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the
righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the
truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calls for either
a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or
maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful and
equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice;speaking untruth, lying,
slandering, backbiting, detracting, tale bearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash,
harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering,
vainglorious boasting, thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or
others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults;hiding, excusing,
or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession;unnecessary discovering of
infirmities; raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping
our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit
of any, endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy;
scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as
are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering: What we
can in others, such things as procure an ill name.
Vine & Fig Tree
12314 Palm Dr. #107
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
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