Lesson 20 from the Baltimore Catechism
259. What is the seventh commandment of God?
The seventh commandment of God is: Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15)
260. What are we commanded by the seventh commandment?
By the seventh commandment we are commanded to respect what belongs to others, to live up to our business agreements, and to pay our just debts.
Better is a little with justice, than great revenue with iniquity. (Proverbs 16:8)
261. What does the seventh commandment forbid?
Besides stealing, the seventh commandment forbids cheating, unjust keeping of what belongs to others, unjust damage to the property of others, and the accepting of bribes by public officials.
Do not any unjust thing in judgment, in rule, in weight, or in measure. Let the balance be just and the weights equal, the bushel just, and the sextary equal. (Leviticus 19:35-36)
262. Are we obliged to restore to the owner stolen goods, or their value?
We are obliged to restore to the owner stolen goods, or their value, whenever we are able.
If any man steal an ox or a sheep, and kill or sell it, he shall restore five oxen for one ox, and four sheep for one sheep. (Exodus 22:1)
263. Are we obliged to repair damage unjustly done to the property of others?
We are obliged to repair damage unjustly done to the property of others, or to pay the amount of the damage, as far as we are able.
If any man hurt a field or a vineyard, and put in his beast to feed upon that which is other men's, he shall restore the best of whatsoever he hath in his own field, or in his vineyard, according to the estimation of the damage. (Exodus 22:5)
264. What is the eighth commandment of God?
The eighth commandment of God is: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)
265. What are we commanded by the eighth commandment?
By the eighth commandment we are commanded to speak the truth in all things, but especially in what concerns the good name and honor of others.
Wherefore, put away lying and speak truth each one with his neighbor, because we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25)
266. What does the eighth commandment forbid?
The eighth commandment forbids lies, rash judgment, detraction, calumny, and the telling of secrets we are bound to keep.
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. (Proverbs 12:22)
267. When does a person commit the sin of rash judgment?
A person commits the sin of rash judgment when, without sufficient reason, he believes something harmful to another's character.
Before thou inquire, blame no man. (Ecclesiasticus 11:7)
268. When does a person commit the sin of detraction?
A person commits the sin of detraction when, without a good reason, he makes known the hidden faults of another.
A good name is better than great riches, and good favor is above silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1)
269. When does a person commit the sin of calumny or slander?
A person commits the sin of calumny or slander when by lying he injures the good name of another.
Devise not a lie against thy brother, neither do the like against thy friend. (Ecclesiasticus 7:13)
270. When are we obliged to keep a secret?
We are obliged to keep a secret when we have promised to do so, when our office requires it, or when the good of another demands it.
271. What must a person do who has sinned by detraction or calumny, or has told a secret he is bound to keep?
A person who has sinned by detraction or calumny, or who has told a secret he is bound to keep, must repair the harm he has done to his neighbor, as far as he is able.
272. What is the ninth commandment of God?
The ninth commandment of God is: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife. (Deuteronomy 5:21)
273. What are we commanded by the ninth commandment?
By the ninth commandment we are commanded to be pure in thought and desire.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
274. Are mere thoughts about impure things always sinful in themselves?
Mere thoughts about impure things are not always sinful in themselves, but such thoughts are dangerous.
275. When do thoughts about impure things become sinful?
Thoughts about impure things become sinful when a person thinks of an unchaste act and deliberately takes pleasure in so thinking, or when unchaste desire or passion is aroused and consent is given to it.
276. What is forbidden by the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment forbids all thoughts and desires contrary to chastity.
277. What is the tenth commandment of God?
The tenth commandment of God is: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his house. (Deuteronomy 5:21)
278. What does the tenth commandment forbid?
The tenth commandment forbids all desire to take or to keep unjustly what belongs to others, and also forbids envy at their success.
Take heed and guard yourself from all covetousness, for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. (Luke 12:15)
