Taming the tongue
Drawing on the Heidelberg Catechism's exposition of the ninth commandment, Kleyn addresses the practical sin of rash judgment and slander within close-knit church communities. The article applies biblical principles of Christian speech and Matthew 18 church discipline to warn against the danger of judging and condemning others without hearing them out, presenting this as a matter of covenant faithfulness and spiritual obedience.
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 43 Q. What is required in the ninth commandment? A. That I bear false witness against no man, nor falsify any man's words; that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer; that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly or unheard; but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit as the proper works of the devil, unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God; likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly and...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org