Fearful Faith – Week 6 | Words

We live surrounded by true words that mislead — compliments used to manipulate, half-truths that protect reputations, and public speech that erodes trust. This message names the specific tension: it’s not just lying we must fear, but every speech act that intends to deceive, silence, or harm our neighbors. The result is a community where you no longer know who to trust. Here the Ten Commandment against bearing false witness is unpacked beyond "don't lie": a close look at the Hebrew nuance, speech-act theory, and three practical moves—what your neighbor actually needs from your words, why truth is the glue of human life, and how to become a person of truthful speech. The sermon holds up the example of Jesus as the fearless witness and invites listeners to weigh how their words build or break community, leaving you wondering how simple acts of honest speech could reshape the people around you.