Usually disguised as harmless talk, it’s one of the most destructive forms of communication to relationships. It involves manipulating the perception of another person that is not there to defend themselves. Instead of solving anything, this passive-aggressive behavior creates severe and lasting problems.
The Eighth Commandment is about telling the truth and living in truth. According to the Catechism, “The disciple of Christ consents to “live in the truth,” that is, in the simplicity of a life in conformity with the Lord’s example, abiding in his truth. “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth.”
(CCC no. 2470)
One of the first stories in the Bible describes Cain killing his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8). Since the beginning of time, people have understood that intentionally taking, or being an accomplice to taking, an innocent life is wrong however the Fifth Commandment goes well beyond this surface level interpretation.