The Ninth Commandment tells us, "Do not testify falsely against your neighbor." While God is commanding us to be honest, there's more to to consider. This week, Pastor Mia explains the meaning is twofold. Don't falsely accuse others of wrongdoing and don't back up false accusations.

When God revealed the Ten Commandments to Moses, the Israelites lacked the necessary structure for learning how live with one another. After being freed from slavery, they needed a court system to deal with disputes almost instantly. The Ninth Commandment is a reminder that both truth and dishonesty have power. At its worst, false witness damages lives. Anyone in prison for crimes they didn't commit knows this devastation all too well.

Despite his many healing works, Jesus was a victim of false testimony. Matthew 26 describes how Jesus was put on trial by the high priests and Roman authorities for blasphemy. After struggling to find witnesses, two came forward and recounted Jesus saying, "I can destroy God's temple and rebuild it in three days." Jesus wasn't talking about a building used for worship. Instead, he was referring to the temple of his body. Jesus's enemies twisted his words to use them as the catalyst for his conviction and crucifixion.

Context matters. It did then and it does now. Besides its place in the judicial system, false witness finds its way into our daily lives and we might not realize it. Did you fact check the that eye-catching meme in your social media feed before sharing it? If not, you might've spread misinformation. That too, is a form of false witness. When we gossip, spread rumors, and reveal information shared in confidence, we've fallen off the Ninth Commandment's guardrails. God commands us to avoid false testimony, because he wants us to to be careful with our words. After all, as James 3 says, "Blessing and cursing come from the same mouth."

Being unfaithful in marriage is not an option for Jesus followers. God tells us, "You must not commit adultery" in the 7th Commandment. When couples are married, they promise to be loyal to one another. In others words, no affairs, no infidelity, and no sexual intercourse with another person.

Adultery was a problem in the ancient world and, despite declining for decades, it continues to be a problem. Adultery is not limited to sexual relationships outside of marriage. Non-physical affairs, pornagraphy addiction, and virtual relationsnips are all unfaithful. Adultery isn't limited to marriage. It occurs in committed relationships as well.

When Moses brought the Ten Commandments down from Mt. Sinai, the Hewbrews had a much different understanding of adultery. Then it was all about the behavior of women, who were considered property. Because wives were paid for with a bride price, the mindset was that a woman was being stolen from her husband if she committed adultery. Exposed adultery resulted in severe punishment — public execution for both the married woman and the man who stole her.

The theme of adultery is woven throughout the Bible. The book 2 Samuel describes King David's affair, three chapters of Proverbs are devoted to adultery, it's discussed in the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus refuses to condemn an adulterous woman in John 8. Instead, he points out our hypocrisy and quickness to judge others without addressing our own sinfulness. If you've committed adultery, Jesus is ready to forgive you.

Although the 7th Commandment specifically tells us to avoid adultery, Pastor Mia reminds us that faithfulness in marriage also requires sustained care. Do you pay attention to your spouse? Are you compassionate? Do you listen? Are you a good partner in managing household and family responsiblities? Do you express your love and does your spouse hear you? Faithfulness and this kind of love is a daily decision that requires our whole heart.

Now that we've gone through the first four commandments about our posture toward God, we turn to God's commandments about how we are to live with one another, beginning with "Honor your father and your mother."

Honoring ancestors is an ancient tradition that extends beyond cultures and peoples. In Jesus time, people had come up with human rules that people were using to dismiss caring for their parents in their old age, and Jesus did not approve. Honor matters.

Honoring loving parents is easy and looks different than honoring abusive parents, even abusive parents who have attempted reconciliation. Forgiveness then becomes the way we move forward, honestly letting go of the resentment instead of dying by our own poison.

Pastor Steve Tollefson brings today's message of honor and forgiveness.