The focus of this exercise shall be when is it proper to tell a lie, or to give another a false impression? Indeed can a Christian ever engage in deceit?

1. Crystal has been invited to a party by a guy that Billie Jeanne likes a lot. Billie Jeanne calls Crystal Thursday night and asks about plans for the weekend. Crystal tells her that she has plans and cannot get together this weekend. Billie Jeanne asks, "So what are you doing?"

Crystal replies, _____________?

2. Bubba has a crush on a girl who is a close friend of Chris. This girl has told Christ she cannot stand Bubba. Bubba asks Chris how to approach this girl to invite her to a party.

Does Chris explain tactfully that she isn’t in his best interests? Does Chris encourage Bubba to ask her out just to get the rejection over with or does he just say give up?

3. Beth and Todd have three tickets to an N’Sync concert and have invited Jenny to join them. The concert is Friday night, Alex has not made any plans yet. Jenny is positive that he will call, but she really wants to go to the concert. Since she knows Alex hates this group and wouldn’t think of listening to one song of theirs much less attending a concert, she doesn’t think he will understand.

What does Jenny tell Alex when he begins to lay plans for Friday night?

How much does Todd and/or Beth share if they are around Alex and he brings up the subject of plans for this weekend? Perhaps Jenny hasn’t told him yet, but they don’t know.

There appears to be situations where Christians should use an untruth in order to not hurt another person. Is this true? Why? Why not?

If we move to a more serious situation where perhaps life itself is at stake, for example in WWII you have been hiding Jews from the Gestapo and now they are knocking on the door. You answer the door and are asked if you know of the whereabouts of a certain Jewish lady. This lady is hiding in your attic, what do you tell the "killer" standing at the door?

A close friend is pregnant. She is Christian and has decided to keep the baby against the will of the unborn child’s father. He is going to force her to have an abortion, and she doesn’t think she can resist him so has moved in with relatives in another town. The boy friend has cornered you alone and is threatening harm if you don’t tell him where she has gone. What do you do? Does the answer change if you don’t feel threatened and capable of protecting self if he attempts anything?

What is the ninth commandment and what does it actually include under the heading of bearing false witness?

Q143: Which is the ninth commandment?

A143: The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.[1]

1. Exod. 20:16

Q144: What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?

A144: The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man,[1] and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our own;[12] appearing and standing for the truth;[3] and from the heart,[4] sincerely,[5] freely,[6] clearly,[7] and fully,[8] speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice,[9] and in all other things whatsoever;[10] a charitable esteem of our neighbors;[11] loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name;[12] sorrowing for,[13] and covering of their infirmities;[14] freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces,[15] defending their innocency;[16] a ready receiving of a good report,[17] and unwillingness to admit of an evil report,[18] concerning them; discouraging talebearers,[19] flatterers,[20] and slanderers;[21] love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requireth;[22] keeping of lawful promises;[23] studying and practicing of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report.[24]

Q145: What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?

A145: The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own,[1] especially in public judicature;[2] giving false evidence,[3] suborning false witnesses,[4] wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth;[5] passing unjust sentence,[6] 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;[7] forgery,[8] concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause,[9] and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves,[10] or complaint to others;[11] speaking the truth unseasonably,[12] or maliciously to a wrong end,[13] or perverting it to a wrong meaning,[14] or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice;[15] speaking untruth,[16] lying,[17] slandering,[18] backbiting,[19] detracting,[20] tale bearing,[21] whispering,[22] scoffing,[23] reviling,[24] rash,[25] harsh,[26] and partial censuring;[27] misconstructing intentions, words, and actions;[28] flattering,[29] vainglorious boasting,[30] thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others;[31] denying the gifts and graces of God;[32] aggravating smaller faults;[33] hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession;[34] unnecessary discovering of infirmities;[35] raising false rumors,[36] receiving and countenancing evil reports,[37] and stopping our ears against just defense;[38] evil suspicion;[39] envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any,[40] endeavoring or desiring to impair it,[41] rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy;[42] scornful contempt,[43] fond admiration;[44] breach of lawful promises;[45] neglecting such things as are of good report,[46] and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering: What we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.[47]

Q145: What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?

A145: The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own,[1] especially in public judicature;[2] giving false evidence, [3] suborning false witnesses,[4] wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; [5] passing unjust sentence,[6] 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;[7] forgery,[8] concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause,[9] and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves,[10] or complaint to others;[11] speaking the truth unseasonably,[12] or maliciously to a wrong end,[13] or perverting it to a wrong meaning,[14] or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice;[15] speaking untruth,[16] lying,[17] slandering,[18] backbiting,[19] detracting,[20] tale bearing,[21] whispering,[22] scoffing,[23] reviling,[24] rash,[25] harsh,[26] and partial censuring;[27] misconstructing intentions, words, and actions;[28] flattering,[29] vainglorious boasting,[30] thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others;[31] denying the gifts and graces of God;[32] aggravating smaller faults;[33] hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession;[34] unnecessary discovering of infirmities;[35] raising false rumors,[36] receiving and countenancing evil reports,[37] and stopping our ears against just defense;[38] evil suspicion;[39] envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any,[40] endeavoring or desiring to impair it,[41] rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy;[42] scornful contempt,[43] fond admiration;[44] breach of lawful promises;[45] neglecting such things as are of good report,[46] and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering: What we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.[47]