PONDERING... What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments?

This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments?

Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone or resenting what God has given them or us.

• Exodus 20:16-17 ESV - "16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.""

• Zechariah 8:16 ESV - "16 These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;"

• 1 Peter 3:16 ESV - "16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

• 3 John 1:12 ESV - "12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true."

• Proverbs 14:5, 25 ESV - "5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. ... 25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful."

• 1 Corinthians 10:9-10 ESV - "9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer."

• Galatians 5:26 ESV - "26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

• Colossians 3:5 ESV - "5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

• James 2:8 ESV - "8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well."

Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive,

Deliberately misleading in what is said or left unsaid

but speak the truth in love.

This is why we tell the truth. It doesn't come naturally to us; but if we love, we will speak out of love.

Tenth, that we are content,

Contentment should not be taken negatively. In the sense of-- Ah, this is good enough, I won't try to know more, love better...etc. Contentment is a peaceful happiness with what God has given you. This is not lazily ignoring or not using what God has given you. It is the opposite. Don't become bitter because God has equipped you to do one work instead of another. Rather, do all that you can with all you have been given joyfully unto the Lord!

not envying anyone

Rejoice in what others have. Don't let the talents and possessions of others lead you away from desiring God.

or resenting what God has given them or us.

Like I just said--Don't become bitter because God has equipped you to do one work instead of another. Use what you've been given.