Lent 4 – Laetare March 14, 2021
Exodus 20:1-2, 16 - The Eighth Commandment
Digging Through The Dirt
Exodus 20:1-2, 16 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery… 16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
LSC You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbour, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.
Beloved in Christ, having heard in the previous commandments about how we are to guard the treasures God has given us of life, spouse, and property, we now turn our attention to another precious gift of God—that of our good reputation—our good name. For this commandment was given to protect one’s name and reputation. When we communicate in ways that do not uphold our neighbour’s name and reputation we break this commandment. As Dr. Luther summarizes it for us in his Large Catechism (Par.285), “Let no one do any harm to his neighbour with the tongue, whether friend or foe. Do not speak evil of him, no matter whether it is true or false, unless it is done by commandment or for his reformation. Let everyone use his tongue and make it serve for the best of everyone else...”
We have all seen and felt in our own lives, personally, the terrible effect the misuse of the tongue can have on a person. We have been the object of ridicule and lies. We have witnessed the malicious whisperings done in the corner at the party—those who suddenly become quiet when we walked into the room. Those of us on social media have felt the vicious attacks from friend as well as complete strangers, when we post something that is not in keeping with the current societal trends. We know the pain and frustration there is in having one’s reputation—one’s good name—drug through the mud of the community in which we live. What’s worse—we’ve participated in this same activity toward others.
Though this commandment particularly is speaking to those who speak at a public trial, it is not limited to those circumstances when we may be called before a judge to give testimony. It applies to the world—where everyone bears false witness against his neighbour in his heart—by speaking or even thinking ill of him. But that is the problem, isn’t it? We prefer to hear/speak evil rather than good of someone else—it makes us feel better about ourselves, right? However, somewhat ironically, we want others only to speak well of us—and become irate when we receive the same treatment we’ve been dishing out.
Indeed, the tongue is a wondrous gift of God, given to us to sing praises to Him—but we misuse it greatly. James writes about this very issue in his epistle (3:7-10), “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
But they are. Sure, we may try to cover up our malignant use of the tongue by saying that we are simply “venting” to a friend about someone else; or, that we are seeking their advice about a particular issue. However, have you talked to the person you are complaining about? Are you sharing these things to bring about reconciliation or change among a person—or, are you simply spreading the dirt around? Even as your pastor—if you have a problem with someone else in the church—you are to first approach them—to speak with them in love and humility—before even thinking of coming to me.
What is the old adage that so many mothers teach their children? “If you can’t say anything nice—then don’t say anything at all.” Would that we at least tried to hold to this virtue! But we don’t. We are quick to judge—quick to murder and slander people in our hearts—and then go spread the bad news around as quickly as we can.
What is worse is when we speak things about and to people that aren’t entirely true or accurate. Luther reminds us that we are to constantly speak well of our neighbour, defend his reputation, and put the best construction on everything. But rather than building people up—we prefer to tear them down—being very quick to put the worst possible construction on any given matter that we can—thinking the worst about family and friends—and especially enemies—whom we are supposed to love with the love of Christ. This is particularly easy to do on social media nowadays, isn't it? We see a post that we disagree with—the anger/hatred wells up within our hearts—and then we let fly—blast them with everything we've got—whether we even know the person or not. This so-called "righteous anger" is a dangerous thing—studies are proving that it is even addicting—so much so—that people may spend hours a day searching through social media, just to be able to attack those who hold a differing viewpoint than they do on a certain issue.
And, beloved, don't think for one minute that we are immune to this in the holy church. For herein we also readily and frequently besmirch one another—flinging dirt left and right—not caring who gets caught in the crossfire. We let our emotions run away with us and we tear apart the body of Christ that is supposed to be one in Him. Many a congregation has been destroyed by gossip and lies spoken by the children of God about one another. For shame! We do this and the world laughs and rejects us and the message we bring of Christ. For if we can't share the love of Christ with each other—how can we expect others to listen to us when we speak of Him who is love incarnate?
Yet it is so very easy to ruin someone’s reputation—to speak ill of him—without even really meaning to. For example, what if you saw me leaving Sha Sha’s resort some time—a place renowned for its cheap drinks and plentiful rum—and I stumbled and fell. What would you automatically think? That, perhaps pastor had had a few too many rum and cokes? What if you had told someone else who had told someone else who told someone else—before you know it, Pastor Quast is known as the drunk clergyman of Fort Frances and International Falls. All this despite the fact that I just happen to be a major clutz and didn’t even have a single alcoholic beverage. But the damage would already be done. And this sort of thing happens all the time.
The best example of this sort of thing is our Lord Jesus Himself. At each of His trials there were false witnesses who came forward to speak against Him—spewing their filthy lies as truth. Even though their own statements didn’t agree, yet Jesus was convicted and sentenced to death.
Jesus never spoke lies. He always spoke the truth for He “is the way, the Truth and the life.” Through Him and His truth are all sins forgiven—all sinners saved. From the cross, Jesus did not even speak evil of those who had falsely accused Him and sent Him to that horrible death—rather He spoke words of forgiveness and love, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
In the shed blood of Jesus we are all forgiven for the sins of the tongue that we have committed—either in speaking evil of someone—or in failing to speak good of them and defend them from attack. We are even cleansed of the guilt of our hearts and minds where we have thought negatively about those around us. We are so very quick to judge—yet Christ, the ultimate Judge of all—was judged in our place—a guilty verdict placed over His head that by His suffering and death—our sin might be atoned for.
All the dirt that we fling toward others—all the dirt that has been cast upon us—Christ has gathered it all—and in His great sacrifice He has shed His blood to cleanse us from all sin. He took our evil into His own innocent flesh—giving us His innocence—so that the Father would declare Him guilty and forsaken, rather than us. All this Jesus willingly did—to purify you from all unrighteousness—to pardon your sin.
In the Sacrament of Holy Absolution hear the Word of God spoken to you, personally. Jesus speaks through me, His unworthy servant, to speak to you a word of ultimate kindness and grace—a word of comfort and peace—a word of hope and life—a Word of ultimate Truth—that “In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” What Jesus says to you is true—and real—forever and ever. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Exodus 20:1-2, 16 - The Eighth Commandment
Digging Through The Dirt
Exodus 20:1-2, 16 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery… 16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
LSC You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbour, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.
Beloved in Christ, having heard in the previous commandments about how we are to guard the treasures God has given us of life, spouse, and property, we now turn our attention to another precious gift of God—that of our good reputation—our good name. For this commandment was given to protect one’s name and reputation. When we communicate in ways that do not uphold our neighbour’s name and reputation we break this commandment. As Dr. Luther summarizes it for us in his Large Catechism (Par.285), “Let no one do any harm to his neighbour with the tongue, whether friend or foe. Do not speak evil of him, no matter whether it is true or false, unless it is done by commandment or for his reformation. Let everyone use his tongue and make it serve for the best of everyone else...”
We have all seen and felt in our own lives, personally, the terrible effect the misuse of the tongue can have on a person. We have been the object of ridicule and lies. We have witnessed the malicious whisperings done in the corner at the party—those who suddenly become quiet when we walked into the room. Those of us on social media have felt the vicious attacks from friend as well as complete strangers, when we post something that is not in keeping with the current societal trends. We know the pain and frustration there is in having one’s reputation—one’s good name—drug through the mud of the community in which we live. What’s worse—we’ve participated in this same activity toward others.
Though this commandment particularly is speaking to those who speak at a public trial, it is not limited to those circumstances when we may be called before a judge to give testimony. It applies to the world—where everyone bears false witness against his neighbour in his heart—by speaking or even thinking ill of him. But that is the problem, isn’t it? We prefer to hear/speak evil rather than good of someone else—it makes us feel better about ourselves, right? However, somewhat ironically, we want others only to speak well of us—and become irate when we receive the same treatment we’ve been dishing out.
Indeed, the tongue is a wondrous gift of God, given to us to sing praises to Him—but we misuse it greatly. James writes about this very issue in his epistle (3:7-10), “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
But they are. Sure, we may try to cover up our malignant use of the tongue by saying that we are simply “venting” to a friend about someone else; or, that we are seeking their advice about a particular issue. However, have you talked to the person you are complaining about? Are you sharing these things to bring about reconciliation or change among a person—or, are you simply spreading the dirt around? Even as your pastor—if you have a problem with someone else in the church—you are to first approach them—to speak with them in love and humility—before even thinking of coming to me.
What is the old adage that so many mothers teach their children? “If you can’t say anything nice—then don’t say anything at all.” Would that we at least tried to hold to this virtue! But we don’t. We are quick to judge—quick to murder and slander people in our hearts—and then go spread the bad news around as quickly as we can.
What is worse is when we speak things about and to people that aren’t entirely true or accurate. Luther reminds us that we are to constantly speak well of our neighbour, defend his reputation, and put the best construction on everything. But rather than building people up—we prefer to tear them down—being very quick to put the worst possible construction on any given matter that we can—thinking the worst about family and friends—and especially enemies—whom we are supposed to love with the love of Christ. This is particularly easy to do on social media nowadays, isn't it? We see a post that we disagree with—the anger/hatred wells up within our hearts—and then we let fly—blast them with everything we've got—whether we even know the person or not. This so-called "righteous anger" is a dangerous thing—studies are proving that it is even addicting—so much so—that people may spend hours a day searching through social media, just to be able to attack those who hold a differing viewpoint than they do on a certain issue.
And, beloved, don't think for one minute that we are immune to this in the holy church. For herein we also readily and frequently besmirch one another—flinging dirt left and right—not caring who gets caught in the crossfire. We let our emotions run away with us and we tear apart the body of Christ that is supposed to be one in Him. Many a congregation has been destroyed by gossip and lies spoken by the children of God about one another. For shame! We do this and the world laughs and rejects us and the message we bring of Christ. For if we can't share the love of Christ with each other—how can we expect others to listen to us when we speak of Him who is love incarnate?
Yet it is so very easy to ruin someone’s reputation—to speak ill of him—without even really meaning to. For example, what if you saw me leaving Sha Sha’s resort some time—a place renowned for its cheap drinks and plentiful rum—and I stumbled and fell. What would you automatically think? That, perhaps pastor had had a few too many rum and cokes? What if you had told someone else who had told someone else who told someone else—before you know it, Pastor Quast is known as the drunk clergyman of Fort Frances and International Falls. All this despite the fact that I just happen to be a major clutz and didn’t even have a single alcoholic beverage. But the damage would already be done. And this sort of thing happens all the time.
The best example of this sort of thing is our Lord Jesus Himself. At each of His trials there were false witnesses who came forward to speak against Him—spewing their filthy lies as truth. Even though their own statements didn’t agree, yet Jesus was convicted and sentenced to death.
Jesus never spoke lies. He always spoke the truth for He “is the way, the Truth and the life.” Through Him and His truth are all sins forgiven—all sinners saved. From the cross, Jesus did not even speak evil of those who had falsely accused Him and sent Him to that horrible death—rather He spoke words of forgiveness and love, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
In the shed blood of Jesus we are all forgiven for the sins of the tongue that we have committed—either in speaking evil of someone—or in failing to speak good of them and defend them from attack. We are even cleansed of the guilt of our hearts and minds where we have thought negatively about those around us. We are so very quick to judge—yet Christ, the ultimate Judge of all—was judged in our place—a guilty verdict placed over His head that by His suffering and death—our sin might be atoned for.
All the dirt that we fling toward others—all the dirt that has been cast upon us—Christ has gathered it all—and in His great sacrifice He has shed His blood to cleanse us from all sin. He took our evil into His own innocent flesh—giving us His innocence—so that the Father would declare Him guilty and forsaken, rather than us. All this Jesus willingly did—to purify you from all unrighteousness—to pardon your sin.
In the Sacrament of Holy Absolution hear the Word of God spoken to you, personally. Jesus speaks through me, His unworthy servant, to speak to you a word of ultimate kindness and grace—a word of comfort and peace—a word of hope and life—a Word of ultimate Truth—that “In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” What Jesus says to you is true—and real—forever and ever. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.