8. YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR
- I’m lying?
- Am I suspicious? Mistrustful?
- Am I honest? Am I discreet? Am I retaining an entrusted secret? (If it is for the good of my neighbor, I can tell about that what has been entrusted to me, to the person who will assist in the problem).
- Man is obliged to honestly reveal the truth to another – a lie is always a lie. There is no such thing as a “merciful” lie – it is satan’s ploy, which is itself the father of lies.
- I have a duty to bear witness to the gospel – to pass on faith by words and deeds, to be an example in life.
- False testimony, perjury (especially serious if it contributes to the conviction of the innocent, justifying the culprit, increasing the penalty).
- Do I respect the reputation of persons?
- Am I unwisely assessing/judging (albeit tacitly)?
- Defamation – without need, I reveal mistakes and wrongdoing of my neighbors to others.
- Slander – assertions contrary to the truth, I give the opportunity to make erroneous judgments about others, destroy reputation and honor of neighbor.
- One who defames or slanders, even the one who hears such words, or incites them, will sin.
- Flattery, adulation, tractability – I encourage and strengthen another in his evil deeds and his corrupt behavior.
- Adulation is a grave offense if I become an accomplice of vices or grave sins.
- The desire to show service or friendship does not justify the duality of speech.
- Adulation is a common sin if it comes from the desire to be pleasant, to avoid evil, to achieve benefits.
- Boasting, exhibiting.
- Irony – the goal is to discredit another, to ridicule him maliciously.
The severity of a lie
- According to the nature of truth which it deforms, the circumstances, the intention, and damages.
- It can be a common sin, but if it seriously violates the virtues of love and justice, it becomes a mortal sin.
- It is an insult to the word.
- It is real violence against one’s neighbor – because it is a violation of the virtue of truthfulness.
- It undermines trust, tears up relationships.
- There is an obligation to remedy! When wrongdoing cannot be remedied in public, it must be done in secret. It binds in conscience.
- Official secrecy / confidential matters – (politicians, doctors, lawyers…) – to be kept, except in exceptional cases (if failure to disclose the fact would cause harm to another person).
