Introduction

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” For many, the Ninth Commandment evokes images of courtrooms, sworn oaths, and legal perjury. While this is its most literal interpretation, its spiritual implications run far deeper, touching the very fabric of our daily interactions and inner integrity.

The visionary author Abd-ru-shin (Oskar Ernst Bernhardt, 1875-1941), in his seminal work In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message, offers a penetrating examination of this commandment. He moves beyond the courtroom to critique the subtle, yet pervasive, ways we bear false witness every day—through gossip, slander, and perhaps most importantly, self-deception.

The Literal Foundation: A Pillar of Justice

At its core, the commandment establishes a foundational principle for any just society: the necessity of truth in matters of judgment. To deliberately lie about another person, especially in a formal setting where their livelihood, freedom, or life is at stake, is a grave sin. It corrupts justice, destroys reputations, and erodes the trust that binds a community together. This literal interpretation remains an indispensable ethical boundary.

Abd-ru-shin’s Expansive Critique: The “Petty Transgressions” of Daily Life

Abd-ru-shin acknowledges this basic meaning but swiftly directs our attention to what he considers a more common and spiritually corrosive violation: the casual false testimony of everyday life.

He argues that humanity often dismisses “petty” gossip and slander as harmless, while reserving its condemnation for the dramatic perjury of a courtroom. Abd-ru-shin radically flips this perspective, stating that these daily acts are, in fact, the more significant transgression because they are so widespread and insidiously woven into the social fabric.

“The ninth commandment is transgressed more often than any other, and yet mankind takes this least seriously of all! They are not even conscious that in the countless cases of gossip and slander they are continuously bearing false witness against their neighbours!”
— Abd-ru-shin, In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message

This critique is a powerful call to consciousness. It challenges us to examine our conversations: the stories we share about colleagues, the assumptions we make about family members, and the judgments we pass on acquaintances based on hearsay. Each time we repeat an unverified negative claim or embellish a story to cast someone in a worse light, we are erecting a false testimony against them in the court of public opinion.

The Most Damning False Testimony: The Lie to Ourselves

Abd-ru-shin’s most profound insight extends the commandment inward. The ultimate “neighbor” we bear false witness against can be ourselves. He identifies self-deception as the root of all other violations.

“The worst false witness man bears against himself! He does this through his constant self-deception… He does not wish to see himself as he really is, and therefore he must also bear false witness against his neighbour.”
— Abd-ru-shin, In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message

This creates a vicious cycle. When we refuse to acknowledge our own flaws, weaknesses, and motivations honestly, we project them onto others. We blame our neighbor for faults we ourselves possess, thus bearing false witness against them to subconsciously justify our own condition. This internal dishonesty fuels the external gossip and judgment.

The Spiritual Consequences: The Law of Sowing and Reaping

Abd-ru-shin’s philosophy is deeply rooted in the unbreakable Law of Sowing and Reaping (often called the Law of Cause and Effect). Applying this to the 9th Commandment, every word of false testimony—whether a blatant lie or a whispered rumor—sets a cause in motion that must, by cosmic law, yield a corresponding effect.

The harm we attempt to inflict on another’s reputation through falsehood will inevitably circle back to impact our own lives, not as a punitive measure from God, but as a natural consequence of the energy we have unleashed. Thus, upholding truth is not just an ethical duty to our neighbor; it is an essential act of self-preservation and spiritual hygiene.

Living the Ninth Commandment Today: A Practical Path

How do we move from understanding to practice? Abd-ru-shin’s work implies a multi-layered approach:

1. Cultivate Conscious Speech: Before speaking about another, pause. Ask: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Is it based on firsthand knowledge or hearsay?
2. Seek Inner Honesty: Engage in regular self-reflection. Have the courage to see your own imperfections without judgment, thereby reducing the need to project them onto others.
3. Break the Chain of Gossip: Choose not to participate in conversations that tear others down. Change the subject or offer a charitable perspective.
4. Value Integrity Over Entertainment: Recognize that the temporary thrill of sharing a juicy piece of gossip is not worth the spiritual damage and karmic consequence of bearing false witness.

Conclusion

The Ninth Commandment, through the lens of Abd-ru-shin’s critical work, is far more than a legal statute. It is a profound spiritual directive calling for rigorous honesty—first with ourselves, and then with our neighbors. It challenges us to purify our speech and our thoughts, recognizing that truth is not merely a virtue but the very currency of a healthy spirit and a just world. In an age of misinformation and rapid judgment, this ancient law offers a timeless path toward genuine integrity and peace.