The mandatory part of the commandment implied is that we
stand up for others and vindicate them when they are injured by
lying lips. This is the sense of the commandment, not only that we
should not slander falsely or accuse others; but that we should
witness for them, and stand up in their defence, when we know them
to be traduced. A man may wrong another as well by silence as by
slander, when he knows him to be wrongfully accused, yet does not
speak in his behalf. If others cast false aspersions on any, we
should wipe them off. When the apostles were filled with the wine of
the Spirit, and were charged with drunkenness, Peter openly
maintained their innocence. 'These are not drunken, as ye suppose.'
Acts 2: 15. Jonathan knowing David to be a worthy man, and all those
things Saul said of him to be slanders, vindicated him. 'David has
not sinned against thee; his works have been to thee-ward very good.
Wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David
without a cause?' I Sam 19: 4, 5. When the primitive Christians were
falsely accused for incest, and killing their children, Tertullian
wrote a famous apology in their vindication. This is to act the part
both of a friend and of a Christian, to be an advocate for another,
when he is wronged in his good name. [Thomas Watson]
Labels: Thomas Watson
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