Our Savior Lutheran Church
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Catechism for this week: You shall not bear false testimony against your neighbor.

I taught the students this week about the 8th Commandment. In this commandment God protects our good name. Proverbs 22:1 teaches us the importance of our reputation: ""A good name is worth more than great wealth. Respect is worth more than silver and gold."" The 8th Commandment goes far beyond “telling lies is bad.” That’s true of course. Christians value truth for its own sake and for what Jesus tells us: I am the Way, the Truth and, the Life. But the truth can be used to harm reputations as well. We call this gossip. The truth told to us in confidence is also important to keep to ourselves. We get more insight from Proverbs: “Argue your case with your neighbor, but do not reveal someone else’s secret.”

            One of the discussion questions for the lesson says this: “Agree or Disagree: We can keep the 8th Commandment by keeping our mouths shut.” The students disagreed with this statement. The 8th commandment teaches us also to build up other people’s reputations by speaking well of them. An example in Scripture is found in 2 Samuel 15:1-6. Jonathon is a friend of David and the son of Saul, and Jonathon wants to defend David from the slander Saul is throwing at him. He points out all the good that David has done for Saul. Keeping his mouth shut in this situation would break the 8th Commandment.

            Speaking well of others doesn’t mean ignoring sin. Speaking the truth and defending reputations may involve calling out sin too. This requires wisdom and restraint. Sometimes one must speak, sometimes one must not. This is best taught in this pair of Proverbs from chapter 26:

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly.

If you do, you yourself will become like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly.

If you do not, he will consider himself wise.

These may seem to contradict, but Proverbs teaches us that we must carefully consider every situation. There’s no mathematical formula for right behavior, especially in matters of the tongue.

           During this Lent season we see the possible grave consequences of bearing false witness in the passion of Christ:

  55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their testimonies did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” 59 Yet even on this point, their testimony did not agree.

60 The high priest stepped forward[e] and questioned Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is this they are testifying against you?”

61 But Jesus was silent and did not answer anything.

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 “I am,” Jesus said. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”[f]

63 The high priest tore his robes and said, “Why do we need any more witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?”

They all condemned him as being worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit on him. They covered his face and struck him with their fists, saying, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him and beat him. (Mark 14:55-65)

            The false testimony of those in the Sanhedrin that night led to Jesus’ suffering and death. It occurred to me that not only did Jesus fulfill all of the 10 Commandments on our behalf, he also endured the breaking of the 10 Commandments against him. What you say has serious consequences. Sometimes life and death are at stake when it comes to the good name of your neighbor. Treasure this precious gift greater than any amount of wealth!

            New Member Sunday March 10th

            Remember that March 10th after the service we will have fellowship time and a brief program to get to know some of our new faces. Feel free to bring food just like on our usual Fellowship Sundays!

            New Bible Study Opportunity Incoming

After the Lent season has passed, I intend to begin another Bible Study opportunity on Saturdays. The first topic I want to cover is how to share your faith. Think of this as a crossover between our Discipleship and Evangelism programs. We will use God’s Great Exchange as an outline for one way that you can share the hope you have with someone in your life, and grow in our own appreciation for God’s grace and salvation as well!

            I am intending this Saturday opportunity of getting together around the word to be a little more casual with a focus on topics. Let me know if you have any ideas for the future topics as well!

            40th Anniversary of Our Savior’s Church Building

The building we use was completed in 1984, making this year its 40th anniversary. We will plan to have a special service and picnic to celebrate in Summer sometime. More information to come!