THE 8 TH COMMANDMENT: PROTECTING OUR NEIGHBOR’S NAME AND REPUTATION

THE 8TH COMMANDMENT:PROTECTING OUR NEIGHBOR’SNAME AND REPUTATION Lesson 25 Faith Foundations Course One

WHAT DOES GOD COMMAND IN THE 8TH COMMANDMENT?

WITH OUR ACTIONS • Recall the Bible story of Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel 19:1-5. What did Jonathan do for his friend David when Saul wanted to kill David? Jonathan defended David. He spoke up for his friend.

WITH OUR ACTIONS • Read Proverbs 31:8,9. Give examples of people who might not be able to speak for themselves. Those not present, too sick, or handicapped.

WITH OUR ACTIONS • Evaluate this statement: These words of Proverbs 31 could apply to the many unborn babies who are killed through abortion. Yes. They can’t defend themselves, so we should speak up on their behalf.

WITH OUR ACTIONS • People sometimes say bad things about those who are very poor, those who are a different nationality, or those whose skin is a different color. Look at the following passages and find a reason from each passage why we should defend others. a. Galatians 3:28 We are all one in Christ. We have every reason to defend others no matter who they are or what color their skin is.

WITH OUR ACTIONS • People sometimes say bad things about those who are very poor, those who are a different nationality, or those whose skin is a different color. Look at the following passages and find a reason from each passage why we should defend others. b. John 3:16 Whether rich or poor, American, Chinese, or Iraqi, Jesus died for us all.

WITH OUR ACTIONS • People sometimes say bad things about those who are very poor, those who are a different nationality, or those whose skin is a different color. Look at the following passages and find a reason from each passage why we should defend others. c. 1 Timothy 2:3,4 God wants all to be saved. We want to speak well of anyone whom God wants in his heaven.

KEY POINT #1 God commands us… to defend our neighbor.

WITH OUR WORDS • Earlier we talked about how Jonathan spoke in David’s defense in 1 Samuel 19:1-5. What did Jonathan tell King Saul about David? He told him about all the good things David had done.

WITH OUR WORDS • Jonathan actually risked his own life when he spoke up to defend David in 1 Samuel 20:1-8,24-33. Why do you think Jonathan was willing to do that? Jonathan feared and loved God and knew that his father was wrong. He also cared for his friend to speak up for him.

WITH OUR WORDS • Read John 13:35 and Luke 6:27. How are we to treat all others, even our enemies? With love.

WITH OUR WORDS • If love characterizes the way we treat others, how might we speak of others in the following situations? a. Classmates are criticizing a teacher for giving too much homework. We are learning a lot and the teacher works hard and is preparing us for life by expecting us to work hard too.

WITH OUR WORDS • If love characterizes the way we treat others, how might we speak of others in the following situations? b. A friend is mocking a student who is handicapped. Mocking is wrong. Besides, he’s got some good traits too. While he has some special challenges, he needs our encouragement and friendship.

WITH OUR WORDS • If love characterizes the way we treat others, how might we speak of others in the following situations? c. Big Al is one of the bigger boys in school. He is always picking on kinds and mocking others. Lately he has been picking on you a lot. One day you hear your friends talking about Big Al and saying some really bad things about him. You might be tempted to gossip too. Instead, remind your friends Jesus died for Big Al too and it would be better to pray for him rather than talk behind his back.

KEY POINT #2 God commands us… to speak well of our neighbor.

WITH OUR THOUGHTS • Recall the Bible story of the elders and centurion in Luke 7:1-5. What did the Jewish elders think was the reason the Roman centurion helped them build the temple? The centurion loved the Jewish nation and built the temple out of kindness for the Jews.

WITH OUR THOUGHTS • Evaluate this statement: The Jews could have assumed that the centurion helped them for selfish reasons, for example, to become more popular or to gain power. True. Since the Jews resented the harsh Roman government, they might have assumed that the centurion’s motivation was evil.

WITH OUR THOUGHTS • “Put the best construction on everything” is another way of saying “take his words and actions in the kindest possible way.” How did the Jewish leaders put the best construction on the centurion’s actions? They assumed that his actions were motivated by kindness and a love for the Jewish nation.

WITH OUR THOUGHTS • Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. What words describe a person who takes the words and actions of others in the kindest possible ways? Patient, kind, does not envy, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, protects, trusts, always hopes.

WITH OUR THOUGHTS • Every person is a sinner. We can expect that others will do things that are sinful—sometimes against us. According to 1 Peter 4:8, how are we able to assume the best and take the actions of others in the kindest possible way? Love for our neighbors prompts us to be patient, forgive them, and think the best about their words and actions.

WITH OUR THOUGHTS • Consider the circumstances listed below. Identify how you might take each in an unkind or negative way and in a positive, kind way. a. A classmate suddenly has lots of extra money, more than he ever had before. Bad = think he stole it Good = he worked for it or got it as a gift

WITH OUR THOUGHTS • Consider the circumstances listed below. Identify how you might take each in an unkind or negative way and in a positive, kind way. b. Your parents seem to be giving more attention to your younger sister than to you. Bad = your parents are playing favorites Good = she needs some extra love right now

WITH OUR THOUGHTS • Consider the circumstances listed below. Identify how you might take each in an unkind or negative way and in a positive, kind way. c. Your best friend suddenly seems to have no time for you and is spending a lot of time talking with another classmate. Bad = she is forsaking your friendship Good = she’s helping this classmate out with a problem, or you hurt her feelings without realizing it

KEY POINT #3 God commands us.. to take our neighbor’s words and actions in the kindest possible way.

WHAT DOES GOD COMMAND IN THE 8TH COMMANDMENT? • God commands us to defend our neighbor. • God commands us to speak well of our neighbor. • God commands us to take our neighbor’s words and actions in the kindest possible way. SUMMARY God commands us to defend our neighbor, speak well of him, and take his words and actions in the kindest possible way.

THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, or give him a bad name, but defend him, speak well of him, and take his words and actions in the kindest possible way.

Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

THE 8 TH COMMANDMENT: PROTECTING OUR NEIGHBOR’S NAME AND REPUTATION