Week of 7.17.2022 | Day Three
The Ninth Commandment is often shortened to Do Not Lie. While it’s true that we should not lie, to really understand this commandment we must expand it to include lying against others. Lying in any form is wrong, but especially when it seeks to harm others. The consequences spread wider when we lie about other people. Like the commandments before it, obedience to this begins in the heart.
Jesus fulfills this commandment perfectly because he is the Truth! When we put our faith in Him, we will experience the fullness of life in the Truth for eternity.
Read
Matthew 12:33-37
Discuss
Who is Jesus speaking out against in this passage? (You can look back at 12:24 for more context.)
Why is Jesus speaking out against them?
Why do you think Jesus uses the image of a tree to explain what He is trying to teach?
What does the root represent?
Explain that the root of the tree represents our heart. The heart is the wellspring of life. If it is good, it will produce good things, but if it is bad, it can not produce good things. The only way to have a good heart is to trust in the Lord as your Savior. He takes our sinful heart and makes it clean and the Holy Spirit transforms your heart, making it like the good roots of a tree.
What does the fruit represent?
The fruit is the overflow of the good roots. The fruit in our lives is what comes out of our heart, in words and actions. When we are made new through Christ, the Holy Spirit works in us to produce good fruit, words and actions that glorify Him.
Pray
Take time to pray and thank God for making your sinful heart clean and ask Him to continue to transform your heart to reflect Christ and overflow with His goodness.
Family Challenge
As a family, discuss some of the ways you are tempted to lie. Then discuss how the gospel can apply to each of those temptations to lie. Remember the good news that Jesus is the Truth who sets us free from the enemy, the Father of Lies. Practice sharing the good news of the Gospel with each other to keep the best truth in mind.