### 112. Q. What is God’s will for you in the ninth commandment?

**A**. That I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one’s words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone rashly or without a hearing.<sup>1</sup> Rather, I should avoid, under penalty of God’s wrath,<sup>2</sup> every kind of lying and deceit as the very works of the devil; and, in court and everywhere else, I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it.<sup>3</sup> And I should do what I can to defend and advance my neighbor’s honor and reputation.<sup>4</sup>

<sup>1</sup> [Ps. 15](/get-passage/Psalms+15); [Prov. 19:5](/get-passage/Proverbs+19:5); [Matt. 7:1](/get-passage/Matthew+7:1); [Luke 6:37](/get-passage/Luke+6:37); [Rom. 1:28-32](/get-passage/Romans+1:28-32)
<sup>2</sup> [Lev. 19:11-12](/get-passage/Leviticus+19:11-12); [Prov. 12:22](/get-passage/Proverbs+12:22); [13:5](/get-passage/Proverbs+13:5); [John 8:44](/get-passage/John+8:44); [Rev. 21:8a](/get-passage/Revelation+21:8)
<sup>3</sup> [1 Cor. 13:6](/get-passage/1+Corinthians+13:6); [Eph. 4:25](/get-passage/Ephesians+4:25)
<sup>4</sup> [1 Pet. 3:8-9](/get-passage/1+Peter+3:8-9); [4:8](/get-passage/1+Peter+4:8)