The Ten Commandments

This post is going to talk about the ten commandments from Exodus 20:1-17. There will be cross reference in regards of the ten commandments.

The world we are living in is shouting out lies louder and louder everyday. Countless of people are living in deception nowadays and being blinded, deaf and dumb to the truth (The bible provides the truth). The spiritual blindness are all over them and yet many do not know. The truth could be offensive to many, though it comes liberty (John 8:32) when we accept and abide in the truth. The truth cannot be sugar coated, as though the lukewarm may think. They pick and choose some verses to accept of those that tickles their ears which is the “half truth” and not the raw “whole truth” which is the narrow road we are to walk in until the end. For example, the lukewarm person may choose this verse below:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

After reading this, he thinks to himself that just by believing in HIM shall be sufficient and can have everlasting life after he die. He just closes his bible and not expect to read it again anymore. Although faith without works is dead. Abiding in the truth proceed a complete change of life, including to fully repent of one’s sins committed against a HOLY GOD, completely surrender one’s will and life to the LORD, working on the relationship with the LORD everyday…etc.

We must accept and abide in the truth provided from the bible completely and NOT partially. We must follow to do the will of GOD and not just know the truth lest we become deceived. We should NOT compromise with the commands of GOD by trying to suit ourselves according to our worldly taste. Let go of all man’s traditions and doctrines. Be led by the HOLY SPIRIT in all things.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:17

Some lukewarm people may compromise to the commandments of GOD. They just follow some and not all of HIS commands, yet still think they are pleasing to the LORD, believing they have done the right thing. They are being deceived of themselves! When someone feels that the biblical standards are too high and unattainable, it is that they may not realize the power of the HOLY SPIRIT who can strengthen a person to be an overcomer of all evils and sins.

When there is no one physically around you, doesn’t mean you can sin freely thinking that no one knows. If you truly know GOD, you would possibly have the fear of GOD when you humble yourself down before HIM by abiding in the truth. GOD is omnipresent, omnipotent, all knowing…there is no escaping from HIS witness of your sins to be judged if not repented in time.

We should always follow the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT, walk in the spirit and not by the flesh. Let the spirit lead the action and walk before the flesh. Read Galatians 5, it talks about living by the spirit and the works of the flesh.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: James 1:13

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8

When we sin against GOD, we should NOT make excuses. Avoiding the flesh and continue to submit to the will of GOD always, so that all those disgusting stuff (e.g. pride, malice) within us gradually be purged, thus we become purified. Burn the pride and humble yourself to please GOD!

“And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Exodus 20:1-2

1st COMMAND “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

This commandment looks short but it have many meanings behind it. We should only follow one true GOD; the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Acts 3:13). We should not at the same time have many different religions to follow nor follow any false gods.

Anything can become a god when you put a thing foremost than GOD. It is idolizing something or someone when you do not put JESUS CHRIST foremost in all things, in another words–idolatry.

Food, games, television, people for instance can be an idol and gods when you let them consume you so much of your time, your thoughts…and putting them foremost than GOD, spending most time on them than GOD. Even you can become your own false god, when you are so consumed with yourself; everything about yourself.

There are many celebrities nowadays and people are idolizing them. They follow how they dress, their style, music albums, concerts…etc. For some who are obsessed with the celebrities, they follow them everywhere in everything with great admiration. They are all consumed with the thoughts and actions involving these celebrities. People are worshipping these people, these celebrities thinking themselves as gods in their own pride but they are indeed not.

We should avoid idolatry and the best way is to completely forsake all worldly pursuits. When we are completely detached away from the world, and just focus in GOD completely we would be easier to stay in the will of GOD, to stay away from idolatry.

2nd COMMAND “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” Exodus 20:4 “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” Exodus 20:5 “And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:6

I want to make cross references to this commandment:

Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. Deuteronomy 4:16-19

The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therin: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God. Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing. Deuteronomy 7:25-26

We should not pray before a statue, nor pray to someone other than GOD. The only one we should pray to is GOD, in JESUS CHRIST’s name and not other names like Virgin Mary Magdalene. It is idolizing someone when we pray to a saint. Mary is NOT our savior, JESUS CHRIST alone can save us from eternal hell torment, forgive all our sins and cleanse all our sins to be clothed in the robe of righteousness–in the blood of JESUS CHRIST who is sinless, have shed on the cross for our sins alone. Only JESUS CHRIST can save us; HIM alone is our LORD and SAVIOR.

It doesn’t have to be a worshipping of the graven images, bowing down before them to be an idol–idolizing them. As long as you have graven images, you are having idols. Graven images are in a three-dimensional form, it doesn’t matter what it is made out of.

We should not have any graven images that are the likeness of humans and animals. Personally, I have been avoiding and trashing away any stuffed animals, figurines and dolls that have the likeness of humans and animals.

We are to trash away all these graven images out of our home if we don’t have a place to burn them completely. We should not desire them and to sell them for it is wrong. Giving them away for free is wrong too because it is leading others into sin.

Talking about graven images, regarding of crosses, it is offensive when someone sell the item for money. JESUS CHRIST died on the cross for our sins was a terrible thing to endure. I have trashed my crosses away for I do not want to offend GOD. Although, if you are to handmade a cross, it is okay for it is not made for money earning.

3rd COMMAND “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

We should not take the LORD’s name in vain. We should NOT use HIS name for evil purposes and ways that are sinful. GOD’s name is HOLY and we should deeply respect HIM, including HIS name.

Those who profess themselves as Christian and a follower of CHRIST, yet they continue living in sin and disobey GOD is being hypocritical and taking HIS name in vain.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Philippians 2:9-10

JESUS CHRIST’s name is highest above all names, HE is highest above all things for HE is GOD. We must be careful when we are to speak HIS HOLY name.

4th COMMAND “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8 “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:” Exodus 20:9 “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:” Exodus 20:10 “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:11

Many people nowadays, even many self professed Christians dismantle the forth commandment. We are to follow the “ten” commandments, not only nine of them. We are to follow the Sabbath day once a week, for me, I normally follow it every Saturday. We should follow the Sabbath every week.

We should honor the LORD by following the Sabbath day, make it holy (set apart) which means to be uncommon in what you do according to the bible. GOD created the heaven and earth for six days, but the seventh day he rested. He blessed the Sabbath day and honored it as holy.

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:11

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. Isaiah 66:22-24

5th COMMAND “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

We should obey our parents and honor them. We should not compromise with their rules, for it is the will of GOD to honor our parents.

Although, if your parents are commanding you to do something that is against the will of GOD, you should not follow what they say. For example, your parents are atheists and they do not permit you to go to church at anytime. Not going to church makes you reduce a lot of spiritual growth. However, you want to go to church because you want to fellowship with other Christians and worship GOD. Another example, your parents tell you to lie to someone to prevent public embarrassment and humiliation. Lying is a sin, therefore we should not lie even when someone who are in higher authority than you, tells you to do so.

6th COMMAND “Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 20:13

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 1 John 3:15

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:21

You don’t need to kill someone as an action to be a murderer; hating someone equates of being a murderer. We should always be sensitive and watchful of our motives, thoughts and actions that we do, lest we stumble in sin easily.

We should not hurt other people’s feelings. You do not always know what the other person feels when you hurt someone–the gravity of their emotional pain. There can be a negative long term consequence. It can become worse and that person may continue to dwell in their rejections, sadness, depression and all that stuff. It could possibly be to a point of them having suicidal thoughts and killing themselves eventually because of the overwhelming depression and worthlessness, for instance.

We should not kill ourselves, such as suicide. Suicide means to kill oneself intentionally. How can a person repent after they die? Repentance is generally for those who are alive in this earthly life, while they still have the breathe of life to say their sorry, ask for forgiveness from GOD for their sins.

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Corinthians 3:17

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27

Abortion is clearly a murder; murdering an innocent life. This innocent life have a spirit and soul, just like us. They are also created by our loving creator. They are NOT an animal where you casually kill them. Even though if a woman who have been raped and got pregnant, obviously it was the fault of the person who raped her but that does NOT justify for killing a living person by aborting a to-be-born baby! Abortion rate nowadays is skyrocketing. It is a sad thing.

Those aborted babies who have been terminated by their mother will go to heaven. They will experience a life full of peace and love, being taken care of and spend their eternity with GOD full of blessings and bliss.

Things that are alive such as plants, animals…etc. We should not kill for our own “evil” purposes. They are alive; there is life within them.

7th COMMAND “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28

Adultery doesn’t only can be committed by action, it can also be committed in one’s thoughts.

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. Matthew 19:9

Adultery generally means to have sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their partner.

Having sexual intercourse before marriage is wrong and clearly a sin, for it is sexual immorality.

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:2

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4

I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. 1 Corinthians 7:8-9

And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. Exodus 22:16

Talking about sexual immorality and lust, we must avoid sexual fantasy, masturbation and the similar, either individual type or the opposite. Even though it is not an actual sexual intercourse, generally there is lust involved. Sexual immorality is a sin. We should not act sensually to attract others to lust, especially as a woman.

8th COMMAND “Thou shalt not steal.” Exodus 20:15

We should not steal anything that does not belong to us. Stealing a post-it-note that does not belong to you is a sin. No matter how small or insignificant you think a thing is, as long as the item does not belong to you, and you steal it then it becomes a sin.

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:8

Not giving out tithes is robbing GOD. We should give tithes and for me, I would also want to consider giving out offerings as well. It can be giving out tithes to the church or to Christian ministries that work for GOD in the right way, to reach out for the lost for instance.

9th COMMAND “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Exodus 20:16

We should NOT lie and give false information to anyone. Lying to people hurts and damage a relationship. Do you know that making a lie once makes you a liar?

Empty promise is misleading because when you have promised someone, for example, that you will come to his house for a party celebration, but then you did not come. We have to be always careful in making a promise with someone, because once you have made it you must keep it lest you make break your promise.

Making a white lie is lying. The purpose of white lie is especially to prevent hurting someone’s feelings. For instance, when someone ask you whether the food he have made taste good or not, it was in fact to you it does not taste good, but then you tell him the food he have made is delicious to prevent hurting his feelings. This is bearing false witness to others and must be prevented, even though the intention is to prevent hurting others’ feeling.

Helping others to sin is no excuse. Look at this example: there was a phone ringing at home. The wife picked up the phone and the caller asked her to hand the phone to her husband. Her husband heard it and whispered to his wife to tell the caller that he is not at home. In fact, he was at home. Then the wife tells the caller that her husband is not at home. Now, can you see she have lied to the caller? Lying is definitely a sin. There is no excuse because she had the free will to say “NO” to her husband and refuse to lie.

10th COMMAND “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” Exodus 20:17

We should be thankful and be content for the things we have. Covet means to desire to have something. We should NOT be jealous and covet anything that belongs to our neighbor’s.

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Have you ever wondered about the ten commandment being reversed? Surely, many people in this world today are walking this reversed way. We must follow the ten commandments and not ignore it as a follower of CHRIST. Look at this below:

1st COMMAND “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

Reversed: You shall have other gods before me.

2nd COMMAND “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” Exodus 20:4 “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” Exodus 20:5 “And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:6

Reversed: You shall make graven images.

3rd COMMAND “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

Reversed: You shall take the LORD’s name in vain.

4th COMMAND “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8 “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:” Exodus 20:9 “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:” Exodus 20:10 “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:11

Reversed: You shall forget the Sabbath.

5th COMMAND “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

Reversed: You shall not honor your father and mother.

6th COMMAND “Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 20:13

Reversed: You shall kill.

7th COMMAND “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

Reversed: You shall commit adultery.

8th COMMAND “Thou shalt not steal.” Exodus 20:15

Reversed: You shall steal.

9th COMMAND “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Exodus 20:16

Reversed: You shall lie.

10th COMMAND “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” Exodus 20:17

Reversed: You shall covet your neighbor’s.

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There are many people who are living in darkness than those who are walking in the light and truth nowadays, for the road to hell is broad and to heaven is narrow. They disobey GOD’s commandment and go their own lustful ways, for instance as mentioned above. They go in the opposite direction of what GOD commanded–living in a reversed lifestyle of the ten commandment.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

Credit:

• King James Version Bible
• Great Bible Study. (2003). The 10 Commandments: what if we reversed them?. Available: http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/10commandments.php. Last accessed 24th Apr 2014.
• Google search dictionary
• Got Questions. (2002). What does it mean to take the Lord’s name in vain?. Available: http://www.gotquestions.org/Lords-name-vain.html. Last accessed 26th Apr 2014.