Truthfulness: The Power and Consequences of Our Words

The Eighth Commandment, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor,” calls us to a life of truthfulness that extends far beyond the courtroom. In a world where words travel faster and farther than ever—where a single post or comment can reach thousands in seconds—the power and danger of lies have only grown. The old story of the feather pillow reminds us that once a lie is released, it is impossible to gather back all its consequences. Lies, whether big or small, have the power to destroy reputations, crush trust, and inflict deep wounds that may never fully heal.

God’s commandment against false testimony is rooted in His own character. He delights in truth and detests deception, not just in formal settings but in every conversation, every text, every post. The damage of lies is not limited to their immediate victims; they also discredit those who spread them and, when done in God’s name, dishonor Him. Even when we think a lie might serve a greater good or defend a cause, Scripture is clear: falsehood never advances God’s purposes. Instead, it undermines both the message and the messenger.

Yet, the commandment’s reach is not just for the “big” lies that make headlines. It convicts us in the small, everyday ways we shade the truth—when we exaggerate our stories, omit uncomfortable facts, or speak ill of others for our own gain. Our tongues, as James warns, are like fire: capable of great destruction. No amount of effort or resolve can undo the harm our words have caused or gather back the feathers we have scattered.

Our hope, then, is not in our own ability to be perfectly truthful, but in Jesus Christ, who never lied, never deceived, and yet bore the weight of all our falsehoods. He was condemned by lies, carried them to the cross, and rose to declare our forgiveness and freedom. In Him, we are known, loved, and forgiven—set free from the need to pretend or inflate ourselves. As God’s redeemed people, we are called to speak the truth in love, reflecting Christ’s own character: loving enough to be honest, and honest enough to be loving. The truth of the gospel gathers us up, forgives us, and empowers us to be people of truth in a world desperate for it.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Eighth Commandment is not limited to legal settings but calls for truthfulness in every aspect of life. God’s concern for honesty reflects His own nature, and our integrity in speech is a reflection of our relationship with Him. Every word we speak, write, or share carries the weight of this calling. [03:05]
• 2. Lies, whether public or private, have far-reaching and often irreversible consequences. Like feathers scattered in the wind, the effects of falsehood cannot be fully undone, and they can inflict lasting harm on individuals, communities, and even the credibility of the truth itself. [04:28]
• 3. Using deception to advance even a noble cause ultimately undermines both the cause and the one who promotes it. God does not permit us to do evil that good may result; truth must never be sacrificed for expediency or personal gain. Our witness is only as strong as our commitment to honesty. [06:03]
• 4. The commandment convicts us not only of headline-grabbing lies but also of the subtle, everyday ways we distort the truth. Whether through half-truths, omissions, or self-serving stories, our words can wound and destroy. Recognizing this should lead us to humility and repentance, not self-justification. [07:46]
• 5. Our hope is not in our own ability to control our tongues, but in Jesus Christ, who bore the penalty for our deceit and sets us free. In Him, we are forgiven and empowered to speak the truth in love, building up rather than tearing down, and reflecting the grace and truth of the gospel in all our relationships. [11:39]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:22] - The Feather Pillow Story: The Power of Lies
• [02:15] - The Eighth Commandment: Beyond the Courtroom
• [03:05] - God’s Character and Our Honesty
• [04:28] - Modern Example: Lies in the Digital Age
• [06:03] - Lies Discredit the Liar and the Cause
• [07:46] - Everyday Falsehoods: The Tongue’s Destructive Power
• [09:26] - The Hopelessness of Self-Reliance
• [10:30] - Jesus: The Truth Who Bore Our Lies
• [11:39] - Freedom in Christ: No Need to Pretend
• [12:30] - Truth and Love: Maturity in Christ
• [13:27] - Grace Gathers What Lies Scatter
• [14:46] - Invitation and Closing

Bible Reading

Exodus 20:16 (ESV) — > “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

Proverbs 12:22 (ESV) — > “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”

Ephesians 4:15 (ESV) — > “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Exodus 20:16, what is the specific command God gives regarding our words about others?
2. In Proverbs 12:22, what does God say about lying and about those who are trustworthy?
3. The sermon used the story of the feather pillow to illustrate the effects of lies. What does this story teach us about the consequences of our words? [02:15]
4. Ephesians 4:15 talks about “speaking the truth in love.” What two qualities does Paul say should go together in our speech?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says the Eighth Commandment is not just about lying in court, but about truthfulness in every part of life. Why do you think God cares so much about honesty in our everyday conversations, not just in legal settings? [03:05]
2. The pastor shared a modern example of a lie spreading online and causing real harm. What does this example show us about the power and reach of falsehood in today’s world? [04:28]
3. The sermon points out that even “small” lies, half-truths, or exaggerations can be destructive. Why do you think we are tempted to shade the truth in everyday life? [07:46]
4. According to the sermon, what is the relationship between truth, love, and Christian maturity? [11:39]

Application Questions

1. The feather pillow story shows that once a lie is told, its effects can’t be fully undone. Can you think of a time when something you said (or posted) had consequences you didn’t expect? How did you respond? [02:15]
2. The sermon warns against using lies or exaggerations to defend a cause, even a good one. Have you ever felt tempted to “bend the truth” to make your point or protect your reputation? What happened, and what did you learn? [06:03]
3. The pastor mentioned that we often shade the truth to make ourselves look better or to avoid embarrassment. What are some situations where you find it hardest to be completely honest? Why do you think that is? [07:46]
4. James describes the tongue as a fire that can destroy. What are some practical ways you can “tame your tongue” in your daily life, especially online or in conversations about others? [07:46]
5. The sermon says our hope is not in our own ability to be perfectly truthful, but in Jesus, who bore the penalty for our lies. How does knowing you are forgiven in Christ change the way you approach honesty and confession? [11:39]
6. Ephesians 4:15 calls us to “speak the truth in love.” Think of a relationship where you struggle to be both honest and loving. What is one step you could take this week to practice truth and love together?
7. The pastor said, “We don’t have to pretend to be perfect or inflate ourselves to win others’ approval because in Jesus we are already known, loved, and forgiven.” Is there an area of your life where you feel pressure to pretend or hide the truth? How can you bring that area into the light of God’s grace? [11:39]