The Ten Commandments is more than a great movie. It is a key component of the Judeo-Christian faith. For many years the ten commandments were prominently displayed by U.S. cities and courtrooms. There has been an attack against these values and many have been permanently removed. Often these are viewed as 10 Things Christians Cannot Do. I
Are the ten commandments a set of rules that must be followed in order to gain entrance into heaven? Or something else?
There are actually 613 total commandments. The ten that made it on the tablets of stone could be viewed as major categories of behavioral instruction. God was deep in the weeds in these 613 and the rabbis went even deeper.
Jesus had several conversations about these commandments. Teachers of the Law were consistently attempting to trip Him up with a trick question. He stumped them all.
Commandment #1 — God Must Be First
Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other gods before Me.
God must always be first in our lives. We must never put Him behind anything in our lives.
Where do you turn in your darkest hour? Is God first or is your career? Is money your God? Have you placed anything above God?
God must always be first.
Commandment #2 — Keep Yourselves From Idols
Exodus 20:4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth.
“My God would never send a person to hell!” Have you heard that faulty statement before? If so you’ve witnessed a person who made a god in their own image.
Idolatry was more on the nose in times of antiquity. It’s probably more prevalent now, though. Hollywood celebrities, football teams, nature, musicians, and even politicians have been made into idols.
The Apostle John ended his first epistle with this warning:
I John 5:21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
Commandment #3 — Use His Name Respectfully
Exodus 20:7 Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.
Misusing or taking God’s name in vain is more than using it as a cuss word. That should not be done (here’s an article I wrote about swearing saints).
Using His name vainly is much deeper than cussing.
The Hebrew-Greek Keyword Study Bible indicates that using the Lord’s Name in vain is expressing something as insubstantial, unreal, or worthless.
The Name of the Lord is Holy. Let’s not take it lightly or use it in a thoughtless or careless manner.
Commandment #4 — Keep The Sabbath Holy
Exodus 20:8 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Keeping the Sabbath is good for us. Our bodies need rest and recuperation. It also is an act of faith. When we work six days (not five or four) and resist working that seventh day we’re putting our faith in God.
Do we trust our own efforts more than God’s promise? Are we incapable or unwilling to imitate God?
Commandment #5 — Honor Your Father & Mother
Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
The fifth commandment is the first with a promise (Ephesians 6:2). What does God mean when He commands us (not suggests) to honor our parents?
Obedience and honor are different. Children are instructed to obey their parents (Colossians 3:20). We eventually must live our own lives and obedience transitions to honor.
Honor is often reflected in respect. Generosity is another way we can honor our parents.
One of the definitions of honor is to make heavy. It’s as if a person is being laden down with precious gifts. Perhaps your parents don’t need your money. So? Find a way to make them heavier financially. Pay for dinner. Fill their car with gas. Get creative.
Other parents need financial relief. In those cases find a way to help. Parents are often reluctant to receive “charity” so be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.
Blame God.
“Mom, I am simply trying to work on the fifth commandment. Please allow me to (fill in the blank).”
The Greatest Commandment
Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment. He answered the question beautifully. Those attempting to trick him sulked away defeated. Jordan Peterson calls it “unbelievable sleight of mind” and it brought him to tears.
Jesus reduced the ten commandments into two primary categories.
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Commandment #6 — Do Not Murder
Exodus 20:13 You shall not murder.
Over 60,000,000 abortions have been performed in the United States since 1973 (through 2019). That means there have been over 60 million “legal” murders committed in the US over the past (almost) fifty years.
There are at least three people involved in each of these infant murders: the mom, the doctor, and the nurse.
It amazes me how moms who murder their children are viewed as victims instead of murderers.
Other murders count as well. There are over 500 homicides each year committed on the Southside of Chicago.
Jesus tightened up the requirement for murder during the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
I think I need some help!
Commandment #7 — Steer Clear From Sexual Sin
Exodus 20:14 You shall not commit adultery.
Sexual sin is pervasive. What was considered taboo just ten years ago is now mainstream. Grooming children is now commonplace and become acceptable in many circles.
Any sexual activity outside of marriage between a man and a woman is sinful.
Here’s an article that I wrote about sex — it’s not all bad.
We must crucify our flesh and allow the grace of God to empower us.
Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Commandment #8 — Do Not Steal
Exodus 20:15 You shall not steal.
Theft is often justified. We justify goofing off at work. Company supplies are used and then mysteriously find their way in a purse or bag for use later.
Amounts don’t matter. Thieves steal. Christians do not steal.
I Corinthians 6:10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Commandment #9 — Do Not Lie
Exodus 20:16 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
White lies are lies. Do not lie. Stop lying to your spouse and your spouse. Telling the truth is always easier and better for everyone involved.
St. Paul lumps liars with a nefarious group of sinners.
I Timothy 1:9-11 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
The law is made for lawbreakers and the sinful. When discussing salvation we should use the law and not the self-help (false) gospel. The law is a mirror that reflects our true condition as sinners.
We don’t get to weigh the good and bad and see if the good exceeds the bad. No, one false move and we’re toast.
James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
Commandment #10 — Do Not Covet
Exodus 20:17 Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Covetousness is basically discontentment. Discontentment is considered a soft sin in the church. We’re basically informing God that our lives are not up to snuff and He has failed us.
Ouch!
We must practice contentment and crucify covetousness — daily.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Good Enough For Hell Or Bad Enough For Heaven
It’s impossible for us to work our way into heaven. The expectation is perfection and we’re born with sinful blood. Even the best person you can imagine is light years away from perfection.
The law (the ten commandments) helps us visualize our sinfulness and our need for a savior. We cannot save ourselves.
Jesus came to earth without sinful blood. He met the exacting expectations of the law. Then He was crucified as a sacrifice for our sin.
But wait there’s more.
Death could not keep Him.
Romans 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.