Question 144. What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?

 

Question 144. What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?

Answer. The duties required in the ninth commandment are, to preserve and promote truth between man and man, and the good name of our neighbor, as our own; to stand up for and defend truth; to speak the truth, in all things, both in judgment and punishment, and in all things, honestly, freely, plainly, and fully; to esteem our neighbors liberally, to love, desire, and rejoice in their good name, to grieve over their weaknesses, to approve their talents and virtues liberally, to defend their innocence, to receive good reports, and not to approve evil reports; to discourage tattlers, flatterers, and slanderers; to love and protect our own good name, and to defend it when need be; to keep our lawful promises, and to study and practice whatsoever is true, honest, lovely, and of good report.

Romans 6:12-13 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts. Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought to life from the dead, and your parts as instruments of righteousness to God.

Paul suggests several ways to become God's warriors. Ephesians 6:11-12 "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the darkness of this world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

The devil is the one who tests and accuses. He tests whether the believer is heading toward the kingdom of God or toward the world. If the believer tries to live in compliance with the powers and laws of the world, the devil will immediately accuse him to God.

The devil is also called Satan. Revelation 12:9 "And the great dragon was thrown down, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."

The devil and his angels misled the angels of the kingdom of God, causing them to sin against God. Therefore, God casted the devil and his angels into the world and appointed them as spiritual managers of the sinners born into the world.

The first battle of the believer is to pass Satan's test. The devil tests whether the believer is free from legalism, superstitious faith (humanism), and mysticism (gnosticism).

The second battle of believers is not a battle against flesh and blood, but a battle against the fleshly mind that comes from flesh and blood. It is a battle between the spiritual mind and the fleshly mind. Ephesians 6:16-18 『Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. To this end, be alert and make supplication for all the saints.』

The key here is faith, God's word, and prayer and supplication in the Holy Spirit. This is the basis for the saints to win the spiritual war. The Holy Spirit guides the spiritual mind and controls the fleshly mind.

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