This lesson will include the questions, answers, and commentary for eighty through eighty-nine of this Discipleship. As per the Holy Bible, this ninth lesson answers questions concerning the Ten Commandments, emphasizing the eighth, ninth, and tenth commandments.
Christian Discipleship Lesson Nine
QUESTION 80: WHAT IS REQUIRED IN THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT?
Answer: The eighth commandment requires that we pursue lawful and useful work to provide for our needs and for those unable to provide for themselves. Scripture: Ephesians 4:28; Proverbs 27:23; Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 15:10; 22:1-4.
We must work for what we have and not take anything we didn’t lawfully work to obtain. So, taking bribes, taking avoidable government handouts, and taking anything you haven’t worked to get is stealing. All illegal gain is stealing.
QUESTION 81: WHAT IS FORBIDDEN IN THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT?
Answer: The eighth commandment forbids whatever would unjustly withhold or reduce a person’s possessions or achievements. Scripture: Malachi 3:8; Ephesians 4:28; Romans 13:7.
If you take something from someone, you are depleting their resources and harming them. Any form of theft, burglary, or conning something out of another person or business is stealing and sinful and deprives someone else of their possessions.
QUESTION 82: WHAT IS THE NINTH COMMANDMENT?
Answer: The ninth commandment is, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Scripture: Exodus 20:16.
Bearing false witness can come from gossip, talking badly about someone, or lying. This statement is true because unless you know every detail of a situation, you cannot know what you’re saying about a person is entirely accurate. If even part of it is false, you are bearing false witness.
QUESTION 83: WHAT IS REQUIRED IN THE NINTH COMMANDMENT?
Answer: The ninth commandment requires that we maintain and promote truth between persons and that we preserve the good name of our neighbor and ourselves. Scripture: Zechariah 8:16; Acts 25:10; Ecclesiastes 7:1; 3 John 12; Proverbs 14:5, 25.
We must tell the truth and preserve the reputation of those around us. This assertion is especially true concerning the reputations of brothers and sisters in Christ.
QUESTION 84: WHAT IS FORBIDDEN IN THE NINTH COMMANDMENT?
Answer: The ninth commandment forbids whatever dishonors truth, or injures our own, or our neighbor’s good name. Scripture: Ephesians 4:25; Psalm 15:3; 2 Corinthians 8:20, 21.
We are forbidden to maliciously lie, mislead, or bring reproach upon the reputation of anyone. We are unfortunately sinful by nature, so we must use Biblical scripture and an ever-present pursuit of sanctification to combat this sin.
QUESTION 85: WHAT IS THE TENTH COMMANDMENT?
Answer: The tenth commandment is, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.” Scripture: Exodus 20:17.
COVET - 1. To desire or wish for, with eagerness; to desire earnestly to obtain or possess; in a good sense. (“I eagerly covet a slice of cake.” That would be an example of an appropriate covet.)
COVET – 2. To desire inordinately; to choose that which it is unlawful to obtain or possess; in a bad sense. This type of coveting is what the tenth commandment addresses. (“I want my neighbor’s new tractor so much I might steal it from him.” This type of covetousness is sinful.)
QUESTION 86: WHAT IS REQUIRED IN THE TENTH COMMANDMENT?
Answer: The tenth commandment requires contentment with our condition. With a right and charitable frame of spirit towards our neighbor, and all that is his. Scripture: Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6; Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Leviticus 19:18.
We are to be content with what is ours and consider our neighbor blessed if he has something we don’t have.
QUESTION 87: WHAT IS FORBIDDEN IN THE TENTH COMMANDMENT?
Answer: The tenth commandment forbids all complaining over our condition. All our envying or anguished at the good fortune of our neighbor. And all excessive affections for anything that is his. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:10; James 5:9; Galatians 5:26; Colossians 3:5.
God provides for our needs by His perfect will. We have no right to question his judgment. We should be content with His provision and work to obtain more or better possessions, as God has commanded and as He sees fit to supply.
QUESTION 88: IS ANY MAN ABLE PERFECTLY TO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD?
Answer: No mere man, since the fall, can perfectly keep the commandments of God, but daily falls short of inward and outward perfection God expects. Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:20; Genesis 6:5; 8:21; 1 John 1:8; James 3:2, 8; Romans 3:23; 7:15; Philippians 3:12.
No, we cannot keep these ten commandments, much less all the additional precepts and commandments in scripture. We are completely depraved and must enter into a life of sanctification. Sanctification is defined as “the act of making holy. In an evangelical sense, the act of God’s grace by which the affections of men are purified or alienated from sin and the world and exalted to a supreme love to God. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13. 1 Peter 1:2. The act of consecrating or setting apart for a sacred purpose; consecration.” Webster’s Dictionary 1828.
QUESTION 89: WHAT THEN IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW SINCE THE FALL?
Answer: The purpose of the law, since the fall, is to reveal the perfect righteousness of God, that his people may know the path of faith that leads to life, and that the ungodly may be convicted of their sin, restrained from evil, and brought to Christ for salvation. Scripture: Psalm 19:7-11; Romans 3:20, 31; 7:7; 8:13; 9:32; 12:2; Titus 2:12-14; Galatians 3:22, 24; 1 Timothy 1:8; Luke 10:25-28.
The moral law of God is eternal and unchanging. As people know and understand these laws and realize they can’t obey them perfectly, they feel conviction. Then when they learn of the redemption and justification through Christ, they see that the only way to heaven is through the only perfect human that ever lived. They accept and honor the willing sacrifice of Christ for their sins and accept Christ as their Savior.
Subsequently, through sanctification, bible study, obedience to God’s Word, and church attendance, they accept Christ Jesus as Lord of their lives. When you accept Christ as Savior, sanctification is instantaneous, along with redemption and justification. But unlike redemption and justification, sanctification must become a lifelong quest.
Christian Discipleship
If you missed the first few discipleship lessons, you can find them at the following links.
You can see all my Blogs at the following Link.