The Ten Commandments

Are we keeping the Ten Commandments?

In Exodus 20, God gave HIS people the Ten Commandments. God’s rules had more meanings and we shouldn’t take the words superficially. Study them in-depth. Also, we are too forgetful and often sin against HIM. We ought to examine our life carefully, do corrections and resist temptations to avoid sin in our lifetime.

I. You shall have no other gods before Me.

Have we worshiped other gods? Some people are too busy in gathering wealth. They serve money as their god and completely forget the LORD, the Creator. Some people are fools and don’t bother to worship the true God. They worship as many gods as they could, for “the greatest protection”.

II. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.

Nobody has seen God. Making a carved image for HIM is definitely misleading. The carved image diverts people’s devotion to the wrong target that only leads the worshiper be drowned in sin, losing salvation.

III. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

We should fully respect God and take HIS name seriously. Don’t make an oath or joke with it. Blasphemy is a sin that won’t be forgiven. Never test God for this.

IV. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Do we attend Sunday mass? Spread our work over six days and leave Sunday for a rest and for spiritual cultivation such as reading the Bible, communicating with God through prayers and mediation.

V. Honor your father and your mother.

If your parents are ungodly, pray to God for their sake, exhort them and try to maintain peace without yourself going astray. This commandment also extends to other elders and demands respect to all people, neighbors at all ages.

VI. You shall not murder.

Life is a gift from God and we have no right to take it away. Be careful with our thoughts and behaviors. Don’t fight. Don’t use lethal weapons on others. Don’t let your wicked plan work lest you are responsible to other’s death.

VII. You shall not commit adultery.

Many people treat sex, love relationship and marriage casually. They indulge into instant gratifications and ignore the bad consequences. The wickedness contaminates our heart and makes us blind to the true love, separating us from God.

VIII. You shall not steal.

Have we downloaded or enjoyed movies, music and eBooks from the Internet illegally? The temptation to steal is great and we often commit this sin, thinking that nobody knows. But God knows.

IX. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbors.

The causes of telling lies vary. Some people plot against others for their own benefits. Others dare not tell the truth for fear that they will be bullied or persecuted. Some people are simply indifferent. Neither take the lead nor be a passive accomplice.

X. You shall not covet.

Some people like to seize things from others. They refuse to gain from hard labor; they like to profit effortlessly and at other’s expense. Never plot against others to satisfy one’s own covertness.

The Ten Commandments are to keep us safe from sin if we follow them strictly. Examine our life and eliminate the bad practices that violate God’s rules. The earlier we do the cleansing with full effort, the earlier we could be freed from sin and reconciled with God.

Let’s pray to God:

Lord Jesus, You understand all the temptations we have to face and succeed in sinning not. Please help us understand God’s rules and keep them strictly, delay no more in cleansing and shielding our heart and mind. Amen.