Article September 23, 1939 Issue

The Ninth Commandment

RAYMOND D. HEINE

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." Jesus lived this commandment and taught it by precept and example. Well may it be asked, When do I bear false witness? A carefully considered answer to this question brings out the fact that we are constantly tempted to see error as belonging to our neighbor.

We have Scriptural authority for the fact that man was created in God's image and likeness. The first chapter of Genesis records the spiritual creation. We read, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." God is good, as Jesus affirms. God being good and perfect, man, the spiritual idea of God, must also be good and perfect.

From the Bible we also learn that God is Spirit. Then man, made in God's likeness, must be spiritual. The material senses would have us believe that material man is the real man; but the testimony of material sense cannot be relied upon. This testimony is constantly changing and contradicts itself. If we accept as real that which this imperfect testimony presents, we lose sight of the perfect man, who is the reflection of God. Whenever we are tempted to see error as real, and as belonging to our brother, we must correct our thinking. This temptation may present itself to us in the guise of selfishness, jealousy, envy, hatred, disease, or as some characteristic which appears to be associated with certain races of people. Whatever form error may take, it would prevent us from seeing man as the image and likeness of God, and must be banished from thought.

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