The Tenth Commandment

Advertisements influence our lives daily. We are told that our present life situation is not “good enough.” There is always something newer, better, faster than what we already have. We live in an “upgrade age.” We are constantly told that we need to upgrade what we have.

This mentality causes people to do some crazy things. Back in 1991 in Houston, Texas, Wanda Holloway was the mother of a vibrant junior higher named Shanna. This mother wanted her daughter to be on the cheerleading squad. It got so bad that she paid her ex-brother-in-law $5000 to kill the girl that beat Shanna out and her mother.

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.

Exodus 20:17 (CSB)

What is Coveting?

Many people hear the word “covet” and immediately begin to think about the negative. The truth is coveting is not wrong necessarily. The word, “covet”, literally means “to want or crave or pant after something.”

We are creatures that have been created with desires. There are certain things that we know that we need. Desiring those things is not wrong per se. If you were thirsty and were craving water, that would not be a sin. That is your body craving something that is needed.

Coveting becomes wrong when our wants get out of line. We may not need certain things, but we may want them to an unhealthy point.

Many of the previous commandments have to do with our actions towards another person. This commandment deals with the intentions of the heart.

“for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”

Matthew 6:21 (CSB)

The same word that is used for coveting is also used in other important places of the Bible.

1. Eve was in the Garden of Eden with the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6)
2. The prodigal son was feeding the pigs (Luke 15:16)

It is important to remember that sin doesn’t just happen. It has its beginning in the mind with our desires.

No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

James 1:13-15 (CSB)

Things We Should NOT Covet

As we look at Exodus 20:17, we see some things that we are not to covet: our neighbor’s house, spouse, servants, animals, etc.

Like we said earlier, there is nothing wrong with seeing something that your neighbor has and wanting something similar. When that desire moves to desiring what belongs specifically to your neighbor, that is when it becomes wrong.

When the desire for what your neighbor has grows within your heart, you will begin to plot and do whatever is necessary to get those things. You have become a slave to the desires and are its beck and call.

Things We SHOULD Covet

As we said before, to covet means to desire to the point that we are panting for them. There are some things that we should desire this strongly.

God’s Word (the Bible)

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold – than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.

Psalm 19:9-11 (CSB)

We should desire the word of God desperately in our lives. It is the one tool that shines a light on our path and keeps us from sinning against God.

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105 (CSB)

I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 (CSB)

Rest / Peace

Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 (CSB)

Things in this life can get very stressful. You have so many things pulling you in so many directions. There is a rest that we need that can come in this life. This rest only comes when you place your faith in Jesus alone. In the words of Jesus, we are told that we should desire this rest.

God’s Will for Your Life

For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.

Galatians 5:17 (CSB)

We need to desire God’s will for our lives above all things. Jesus taught us this in the model prayer – “When you pray, say, ‘Father, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come.’” (Luke 11:2)

Jesus showed us what this looks like in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was at the most critical point of history that Jesus had a decision to make – either go with God’s plan (the cross) or His own (walk away). He said those precious words found in Luke 22:42 – “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me – nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Conclusion

When we covet the wrong things, we are saying to God, “You aren’t meeting my needs!” The truth is that God has promised to meet every single one of our needs, but He never says that we will get everything that we want.

Maybe we have been coveting the wrong things. Have you been looking at what other people have and seeking to have what belongs to them? Let us be content with what God has blessed us with.

If there’s something that we want, let us pray and work towards getting it. But let us have open ears to hear God when He says that sometimes what we want isn’t what we need. Let us have open hands on our wants because they may be more of a hindrance to us.

Have you been coveting more time with God? Why don’t you commit to reading and studying the Bible more? Why don’t you commit to seeking His will for your life more? These are the things that will lead to that peace that we are looking for. When we covet the things that God desires us to, we also find that everything we need is found in Jesus.

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Do Not Steal

Do not steal.

Exodus 20:15 (CSB)

As we continue our series looking at the 10 Commandments, we come to the eighth commandment: “Do not steal.” I believe that this commandment is easily understood by just about anyone who hears it. I do not know anyone who has a problem with standing against someone from taking what is theirs.  

The Associated Press ran a story of a very unfortunate young man back in 1991. A 14-year-old boy attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street. When the owner found the young man, he was on the ground extremely sick. Unfortunately, instead of siphoning out gasoline, the young man had put a tube into the motor home’s sewage tank. When the police arrived, the owner and the police let the young man go feeling that he had paid for his crime enough. ^[1]http://apnews.com/article/d0407fac588f7bd14ce44770deaf435f  

We are taught from a young age that stealing is wrong, and we should have no part in it. Still, some insist on taking things that do not belong to them. It does not take long for our depravity to arise in our lives. 

When we hear about stealing, it is easy to think about images of some burglar or professional thief. The truth is, stealing is taking place all around us each day.

• False reporting of taxes
• Keeping incorrect change
• Time at work

When God forbids stealing in the 10 Commandments, He is not just talking about thieves that break in during the night and rob our possessions. He is talking about an issue of the heart. God desires His people to be people of integrity and honesty.  

Methods of Stealing

1. From Man

We said before that the Ten Commandments can be divided into two basic categories: those that deal with our relationship with God and those that deal with our relationship with other people. This is why Jesus said that all the commandments of God can be summed up in “loving God” and “loving others” (Matthew 22:34-40).

God created us to have good relationships with the people we come in contact with during our lives. When stealing takes place, the trust in that relationship is fractured to the core.  

Each person has the right to own personal property, but they also have the right to keep that property. We receive everything that we have in one of three ways:

• Gift – this is an act of grace; the receiver does not deserve it, but it is given to them anyway.
  • Salvation, birthday presents
  • These things build within us a sense of self-worth; someone thought we were worth it.
• Work – receiving through earning
  • Paycheck, rewards
  • These things build within us a sense of self-respect and ownership
• Theft – taking something without permission
  • These things build within us a sense of entitlement, guilt, and suspicion.

God has called each of us to lift one another up and to help one another.

So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.

Romans 14:19 (CSB)

When we steal from another person, we are not building them up, but rather we are tearing them down.

2) From God 

I don’t know who in their right mind would set out and say, “I’m going to try and rob God today.” We are talking about the all-powerful, all-knowing Creator of the universe. But sadly, people do rob God frequently.

“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!”
“How do we rob you?” you ask.
By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions.

Malachi 3:8 (CSB)

In the Old Testament, the tithe was set up. It was set that a person would give the first 10% of their earnings to the Lord for the work of the ministry. The word ‘tithe‘ literally means ‘ten percent.’ Offerings were what a person would give over and above his or her tithe. 

There has been debate over whether or not we are still required to give the “tithe” now that we are living under the new covenant of the New Testament instead of the Old Testament law. That would be a topic that would call for a whole sermon in itself.

Each person should do as he has decided in his heart – not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (CSB)

We should recognize that our giving is a method of worship. The work of the ministry does take money in this world in which we live. It is something that should be prayed over. As God directs us, we should be faithful in the giving to see that what the Lord wants to do through the local church is carried out.

Does God need our money? No. He owns everything. Tithes and offerings were set up as a way for us to demonstrate our faith in God’s economic plan. It may not add up on paper all the time, but when we trust the Lord and use our finances according to His plan, we can do so much more than we could ever do on our own. This is the one area that God told us to test Him in. 

“Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the LORD of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.”

Malachi 3:10 (CSB)

3) From Ourselves

While any form of stealing just seems foolish, I believe that this method of stealing might be the most foolish of all. We steal from ourselves when we refuse to serve and obey what the Lord is calling us to do.  

for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body

1 Corinthians 6:20 (CSB)

When we refuse to do and speak the things which God tells us to do, we rob ourselves of a blessing that God has for us. It might be that God is calling us to serve in some capacity in the church, go on a mission trip, or share our faith in Jesus with someone. Great or small, if God is calling us to do or say something, you can be assured that He has a blessing tied to it for your obedience. When we disobey God’s leading, we rob ourselves of those blessings.

Conclusion

Are you a thief? Most of us would take offense to that comment. The truth is that we might not be as innocent as we think.  

The Bible is clear on stealing in saying that it is wrong. The Bible also tells us “let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need” (Ephesians 4:28).

As followers of Jesus, the church should be people of honesty and respect. When people steal from others, they are not representing Christ. May we be people who are true, honest, and respectful… by doing this, we can show the world Christ.

References[+]

References

↑1	http://apnews.com/article/d0407fac588f7bd14ce44770deaf435f

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Do Not Commit Adultery

As we continue our series looking at the Ten Commandments, it is interesting to notice that nowhere in the Ten Commandments does God give a commandment about worshipping Him in a particular building. The reason for this is that God intended to be worshipped by His people in the temple that He constructed: our bodies. There is nothing inherently wrong with a building, but Jesus didn’t lay down His life for buildings.

Do not commit adultery.

Exodus 20:14 (CSB)

The topic of infidelity in marriage is a sensitive subject, but it is sadly too present in our society. One study showed that over 90% of Americans consider infidelity immoral. That same study also showed that 30%-40% of Americans cheated on their partners. This travesty is not something that is linked to just one generation either. It was reported that of those polled, the same number of 18-29-year-olds were unfaithful to their partner as were those over the age of 65.^[1] https://comparecamp.com/cheating-statistics/

While God was looking to preserve and show the blessing of marriage in the 7th Commandment, He was also concerned in making sure that we had a temple that was prepared and ready to worship Him at any given moment.

What the Bible says about our body

When we look through the pages of the Bible, we will recognize some interesting words shared about our bodies.

Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (CSB)

When we were created, God had in mind for each one of us to be a temple in which He would dwell and we could worship Him from. Though sin has defiled our temples, God has offered us His grace through Jesus Christ. Anyone who hears the gospel and responds to it can have their sin forgiven and be made a new creation.

But to all who did receive [Jesus], he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name

John 1:12 (CSB)

Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (CSB)

This means that our bodies are the place that we meet and worship God. We must keep this temple that God has given to us for worship clean.

God takes our bodies very seriously. We should also take our bodies seriously. We would like to think that we can do whatever we want, whenever we want. The truth is, if we have given our lives to Christ, then it belongs to Him and He gets to call the shots.

How does marriage play into this?

The marriage relationship is a very special one that God has given to mankind. This relationship was given to us for several reasons.

Partnership

When God created man, He recognized that it was not good for him to be alone.

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.”

Genesis 2:18 (CSB)

The marriage relationship is one like none other. Both husband and wife play an important role in the life of each other: one that completes the equation. It is no wonder the Bible tells us, “A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD”(Proverbs 18:22).

Intimacy

This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.

Genesis 2:24 (CSB)

This is talking about the intimacy that is between a husband and wife. It is not just physical but involves the whole person. It has to do with the emotional and spiritual aspects of the couple’s lives as well.

Safe place for children

The family is the first institution that God created. The family illustrates our relationship with God like no other. God wanted to create a safe environment where generations could be raised knowing His truth and following Him.

The Damage of Adultery

Sadly, God had to include in His list of commandments a warning against adultery that seeks to destroy what He is trying to do. Adultery is an ugly and harmful thing. It is like a vicious tornado leaving destruction in its wake. The problem with adultery is that those who partake do not realize all that it will affect.

The relationship with one’s spouse is based on one’s relationship with God

Since marriage is an institution created by God, it should not be a surprise that when the marriage relationship is hurt so is our relationship with God. We are to worship God with our whole being. When adultery takes place, there is a tear in the relationship, and you are not able to worship God with all that you are.

Your character is tarnished

Traditional marriage vows between a husband and wife contain a promise to be true to one another as long as you both shall live. When that promise is broken, the character of the person is tarnished. Trust in that person is broken, and trust is one thing that takes an extremely long time to build and an even longer time to regain.

The safe haven for children is fractured

Children are delicate creations. They require not just physical nourishment, but spiritual and emotional nourishment as well. When adultery takes place and the division happens between husband and wife, the safe haven that God intends for children is fractured, and they are left to look for that needed nourishment elsewhere.

Jesus’ Commentary

You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go to hell.

Matthew 5:27-30 (CSB)

Jesus shows us that adultery is a matter that begins in our hearts. We may think that there’s nothing wrong with glances and all as long as we do not act, but the truth is that what we allow to fill our hearts will be what directs our actions.

Jesus also uses the tool of hyperbole in stating that we should gouge out our eyes or cut off our hands if they lead us to sin. It is not that Jesus wants us to harm ourselves but to recognize the severity of sin. What a waste it would be to go through life with our bodies intact but then spend eternity in hell because we allowed our hearts to belong to someone other than our Savior.

Conclusion

The 7th Commandment is not just about keeping marriages together (though that is important); it deals with keeping the sanctuary as it should be. It is about being faithful to one’s spouse, children, and most importantly God.

When God told the Israelites in the Old Testament how to consecrate the Tabernacle and the Temple, He showed them that it must be set apart for Him. This was done by applying the blood of a sacrifice to it.

For our lives, we may recognize that our temples are not as they should be. It might be that we have allowed sin to enter in and defile our temple. We need to allow the Lamb of God, Jesus, to apply His cleansing blood to our lives. This blood can bring healing to the deepest wounds.

References[+]

References

↑1	https://comparecamp.com/cheating-statistics/

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Do Not Murder

A Sunday School teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her 5 & 6 year olds. After explaining the commandment to “honor your father and mother,” she asked, “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” Quickly, one of the kids answered, “Thou shall not kill.”

The world in which we live in can be a very scary place at times. One of the most depressing times of the day comes when the evening news comes on. While I hope that when the news comes on I will hear something uplifting, it seems that there is always a story of someone taking the life of another.

As we continue our series on the Ten Commandments, we come to the 6th Commandment.

Do not murder.

Exodus 20:13 (CSB)

What is murder?

There has been some debate about this very clear commandment over the years. When Exodus 20:13 was translated into earlier English translations like the King James Version, it read, “Thou shall not kill.” Some have seen this as to meaning that any form of killing is wrong (hunting, capital punishment, or war).

The Hebrew word that is found here in Exodus 20:13 for “murder” does not mean just killing in a broad sense. It is a word that points to the deliberate taking of another person’s life. When more recent translations translate this term as murder, they do us a huge favor.

Why is murder wrong?

I haven’t met anyone that would argue that this commandment is too much. Almost every person is opposed to murder. What some people have a problem with is having a good reasoning for why. There are two very important reasons why murder is wrong.

Murder destroys the image of God

We see that when God created human beings in Genesis 1, He made them in His image.

So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.

Genesis 1:27 (CSB)

God has created every single human being that has ever or will ever walk this earth in His image. It does not matter if they are a follower of Christ or not. This simple fact gives great value to every human life from the womb to the grave.

When murder takes place, it is the attempt by one to smear the picture of God in creation. This is a tactic and tool that Satan has placed in our world. The Bible tells us plainly that Satan looks to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). Satan cannot stand the image of God because it reminds him of the sin that has cursed him for all eternity.

Murder goes against the nature of God

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (CSB)

God wants His creation to experience life, not death. Death is a byproduct of our sin.

But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

James 1:14-15 (CSB)

We may look at this and say, “OK… I know that murder is wrong… and now I know some good reasons for it being wrong… but I haven’t killed anyone. I’m good, right?” This command is saying much more than watch what you do. It is truly talking to the heart of the matter: don’t allow things in your life that would lead to this action.

Jesus’ commentary

In the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7 of the New Testament, Jesus speaks on many topics. In Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus addresses this particular commandment. He helps the people then (and us today) to see what the underlying message God was trying to give His people was.

Jesus shows us that if we hold hatred towards another person in our hearts, then it is the same as murder. Why would Jesus say something like that? Because He knows that a person does not murder another person without cause. That cause is always linked back to a hatred that is found in the murderer’s heart.

This is such a big issue that Jesus even tells His hearers that if they know that there is some offense between them and another person, then they should drop their offerings (worship experiences) and go make things right (Matthew 5:23-24). He knows that one cannot truly worship God and allow hatred towards another to set in their lives.

The apostle, John, would go on to share how a person cannot hold on to grudges because it will lead to a dark place.

The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now.

1 John 2:9 (CSB)

But the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he’s going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

1 John 2:11 (CSB)

Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

1 John 3:15 (CSB)

If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

1 John 4:20 (CSB)

Conclusion

It may be true that we are not going around with a weapon looking to take the life of another person. What about our hearts though? Are we tearing people apart in our minds by holding onto hatred towards them? Are we secretly wishing that their life becomes a wreck?

How can a person ever lead someone to the life-saving, life-giving Christ if the hatred in their hearts is pushing them further and further away?

When God spoke this command on Mount Sinai, He was calling His people to value each and every life. He was setting the stage for His plan of redemption and salvation to go forward.

Will we be a part of helping that salvation go to those who need it? Or will we allow hatred to fester in our hearts and destroy all that God is trying to do?

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Honor Your Parents

Honor your father and mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Exodus 20:12 CSB

When it comes to the Ten Commandments, a picture of two tablets often comes to mind for many. We can see Moses holding these two tablets of stone as he comes down Mount Sinai. On these two tablets are the Ten Commandments having been handwritten by God Himself. It is thought that one tablet had the first four commandments (those that deal with our relationship with God), and the other tablet contained the last six commandments (those that deal with our relationships with other people).

As we examine the 5th Commandment found in Exodus 20:12, we see that one thing is very clear: God high values the home.

God values the home

The first institution that God created was the family. Long before governments or even the church came about, God created the family. It is the family that best shows the picture of God’s relationship with us.

In the 5th Commandment, we see two parts. The first part is about how children are to honor their parents. The second part is more insinuated. It is the importance that parents should be honorable. It is these two parts that we will focus on during our time today.

What is honor?

The Hebrew term that is translated as “honor” is one that means “to be heavy or give weight to.” This has nothing to do with putting a lot of food in front of your parents and watching them scales spin. In Bible times, if something had great weight, it was seen as having great value. When we honor someone or something, we are making them more valuable in the eyes of other people. It is like when a soldier or sailor is recognized and honored for his/her service to our country on Veteran’s Day.

When we honor our parents, we do things so that when people look at us they say, “They must have had some great parents!” One of the top responsibilities that God has given to children is that they make their parents look good.

How we honor our parents

When we think about honoring our parents, I believe that there are three important tools that the LORD has given us for the task. These are not like the instructions that may come in an “Assembly Required” purchase that we have gotten. The instructions that come with share the tools that are needed, but it is more that one person who has found out that many times there are other tools that are needed. These tools that God has given to us will do the job.

Obedience

If there is one verse that parents commit to memory and share with their children, it is Ephesians 6:1.

Children, obey your parents in the LORD, because this is right.

Ephesians 6:1 CSB

I know that I have used this verse in my house many times. Let’s be honest… so have you. This is another way of saying what the 5th Commandment is about.

The phrase “in the Lord” is an important one. Sadly, there are too many cases of parents asking their children to do things that are wrong. Does a child have to obey their parents if they are asking them to sin? In no way! The Lord does not want any of us to sin. But as long as what our parents are not asking us to do anything that goes against God’s word, we should obey.

Attitude

In Philippians 2:5, we are told that we should have the same attitude that Christ had. When we look at Jesus’ life, we see that time and time again He honored his earthly parents.

• Luke 2 – Jesus was 12 years old. His parents realized that He was not with them as they were leaving Jerusalem. Mary is worried as any good parent would be. When they find Him, they let Him know how worried they had been. In verse 49, Jesus tells them that He must be doing His Heavenly Father’s will. In verse 51 though, we see Jesus being obedient to His earthly parents and following them.
  
• John 2 – Jesus was at a wedding feast. The wedding party had run out of wine. Mary comes to Jesus and asks Him to help. He says that the time for everyone knowing that He was the Messiah had not come yet. But what do we see? He does what His mother asks of Him.
  
• John 19:25-27 – While Jesus hung on the cross, He made sure that His widowed mother would be cared for by placing her in the care of His disciple, John.

What is our attitude towards our parents? Our attitude determines the direction of our actions. We are called to honor our parents and by having the right attitude towards them, we can do that well.

Notice that Jesus didn’t just honor His parents as a child. He even did so as an adult. For many of us, we have been out of our parents’ houses for some time. This does not give us a pass on honoring them. As long as our parents are our parents, we are to honor them.

Language

A third way that we can honor our parents is with our language. Words are very powerful. You may have heard the little saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” That is a lie. Just ask the person who is being called names by their peers at school or work. Words have the ability to make or break a person.

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

Colossians 4:6 CSB

Sometimes our speech isn’t seasoned with salt. Sometimes it is seasoned with hot sauce. Sometimes it is seasoned with vinegar. We would do well to remember that according to Matthew 12:36, we will have to give an account for every word that we speak.

Parents: Be honorable

Now that we have talked about honoring our parents, we need to examine the other side of this coin. When parents choose to live a life that is less than honorable, then the children are put into a difficult place.

Paul reiterated this commandment in Ephesians 6 when he talked about the family:

Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the LORD.

Ephesians 6:4 CSB

As parents, are we bringing the children that God places in our lives up in a way that will produce honor, or are we bringing them up to be filled with bitterness, anger, and rebellion? Just as children have a part to play in this commandment, so do we as parents.

God has placed a great responsibility on parents. A parent is the first picture that a child has of what God is like. Because of this, we must make sure that we are exercising our given authority in responsible ways and not in emotional ways. We do this by basing our authority not on personal desires but on the principles that come from the Word of God. For that to happen, we must spend time in the Word and applying it to our daily lives.

Conclusion

The fifth of the Ten Commandments is one that is far more valuable than most people give it credit. It is so much more than just treating parents right. It is about honoring them. When we bring honor to our parents, we also bring honor to our Heavenly Father.

How are you doing in honoring your parents? We want to experience the greatness of God in our lives, but it will not happen if we do not truly honor our parents. We may have not done a great job of this in the past. We have an opportunity to do what we are supposed to now.

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Keeping the Sabbath

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: You are to labor six days and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. You must not do any work—you, your son or daughter, your male or female servant, your livestock, or the resident alien who is within your city gates. For the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy.

Exodus 20:8-11 (CSB)

The Fourth Commandment

As we continue to look at the Ten Commandments, we come to the Fourth Commandment which tells us to keep the Sabbath day holy. When compared to the other commandments that are listed, it seems like this one is really not that big of a deal.

When we come across some of the Ten Commandments like “Do not kill,” “Do not steal,” “Honor your parents,” and “Do not worship any other gods,” we see where it is good that God put those out there. But what about this fourth commandment, “Keep the Sabbath day holy.” What is the big deal with this one? Could this be as important as the others?

I believe that there might be a misunderstanding when it comes to the Sabbath. “Sabbath” is not a term that we often use in the course of everyday conversation. When it comes to talking about what it is all about and how to properly observe the Sabbath, those can be difficult tasks for some. If we could better understand the “why” behind the “what” of this commandment, the 4th Commandment would make more sense.

Misunderstandings of the Sabbath

1) It is the day that we go to church.

One thought pertaining to the Sabbath is that it is the day that we “go to church” – where one attends worship meetings and does not clock in at the office.

The Bible never prescribes the Sabbath to be the day where one gathers together with other believers to worship the LORD. We are commanded that we should do this, but it is not necessarily the same thing.

This brings up another topic about the church. The church is not something that we go to; it is something that we are. The church is the Body of Christ – the people who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not a building.

2) It has to be Sunday

There is a thought that the sabbath is Sunday. This is tied closely with the previous one because those who hold to this thought typically hold to #1 as well.

The Jews hold to Saturday as being the Sabbath as it is recognized as the seventh day of the week. Sunday is mostly recognized as the first day of the week. After Jesus’ resurrection, there is seen in history a change from Saturday to Sunday being a holy day set aside for worship. Sunday is a special day that we have set aside to remember the greatest victory ever won: Jesus Christ’s victory over the grave!

3) Cannot do anything on this day.

The Sabbath is seen as a day of rest from work. Because of this, there is this thought that no work can be done on that day. As a matter of fact, this day should be just complete resting.

I can remember growing up that it always seemed to me that Sunday was a day where the weather was always sunny. With busy schedules during the week, it seemed that the best time to cut the grass would be Sunday afternoons. I remember being told by my parents that was something we could not do because it was supposed to be the Sabbath.

While these may be popular thoughts in our day, the question that arises is “Do these thoughts come from the Bible or somewhere else?” Jesus speaks about the Sabbath in Mark 2-3 and shows that there are times when even some work is okay on the Sabbath.

With our time today, I would like for us to look to the only tangible source of absolute truth that we have – the Bible – to guide us as we examine this commandment.

Understanding the 4th Commandment

In order to fully understand this commandment, there are two particular terms that we have to understand to get what God is fully saying: “Sabbath” and “holy.”

The word Sabbath is a Hebrew word that literally means “to cease, desist, or rest”. Literal definitions can help understand words, but we need the context of the text to help us understand what God is meaning by using this term.

Take the word, “R-E-A-D”. What is that word? The context will tell us what the correct meaning of the word is in our language. 

Context is always key in understanding the Bible. In the first couple of commandments, God shows us:

• First Commandment = Who is the one true God
• Second Commandment = How to properly worship the one true God
• Third Commandment = How to worship God with our words
• Fourth Commandment = How to worship God with our time

3 Practices of the Sabbath

1) Rest

In the text that we read earlier, we see the first practice of the sabbath: rest. In Exodus 20:9-10, God says that we should work at what we do for 6 days, but there should be one day set aside in which you rest.

You are to labor six days and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. You must not do any work—you, your son or daughter, your male or female servant, your livestock, or the resident alien who is within your city gates.

Exodus 20:9-10 (CSB)

God did not create us to be workaholics 

Work is not bad. We were created to do work, but being a workaholic is wrong. I’m sure that we have all known the “workaholic” – that person that just can never seem to stop his or her job. They are working all the time. They feel that if they let up for one minute, then they will lose everything that they have worked so hard for.

This is not how it was intended to be. In fact, this goes against the very way that God has created us. God did not create us to work ourselves into the ground. God does want us to do the work that we are assigned with all that we have – 

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17 (CSB)

Since God has given you the job/work that you have, do it the way He desires. Go at it with all that you got. If you are a Christian, what does your work say about you to those who employ you or are around you? Do we go at it half-hearted? That can give the impression that God only demands some of us. That’s not true! God demands all, and we should give our best.

When we fall into the trap of being a workaholic, something moves in and is trying to remove God from His rightful place in our lives. It is either our work or ourselves.

So, does this mean that we are to just nap around and not do anything for a whole day? Not so fast. The work that it talks about resting from is the work that we do for a living. There will be certain tasks that will have to be done each day – meals, grooming, things around the house.

We are not to just lay around being lazy. The Bible speaks strongly against laziness. 

Laziness induces deep sleep, and a lazy person will go hungry.

Proverbs 19:15 (CSB)

Though we are not to be lazy, we are to break from our regular routines and take some time to rest. If we don’t, it will catch up with us. We will end up in a worse situation.

2) Reflection

The second practice of the Sabbath is reflection. This is where you are to take some time during this day of rest to remember what God has done and reflect on Him.

The whole idea of the Sabbath is drawn back to creation. After God had created everything, the Bible says that He rested. He did not need to rest. If God did not need to rest, what was that all about? He was reflecting on what He had done.

In Deuteronomy 5, we see another account of the 10 Commandments. This time, they come as the Israelites are preparing to go into the Promised Land. In this account, we see that this commandment calls the people to remember where the Lord has brought them from slavery in Egypt.

Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out of there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

Deuteronomy 5:15 (CSB)

If we are going to properly observe the Sabbath, we need to take time to reflect on all that God has done in our lives and wants to do. This is done through worship – worship together with other believers, worship alone with God.

For this reason, many look at Sundays as their Sabbath. This is a time where they break from the normal routines and worship the Lord together with other believers. That is good for some.

For some people – like myself – Sundays are hard to be a Sabbath. Sundays are the busiest days of the week for a pastor like me. That is why it is important to set aside another day for this reflection. I will confess that many times I do not do this well.

3) Refuel

The third way to practice the Sabbath is to refuel. As we observe the Sabbath properly, taking a day to rest and reflect on all that God has done, this third practice comes about. 

We are refueled for what lies ahead. If we choose to not observe this Sabbath that has been commanded to us, then we will not have much of what we need to move forward. We will be going on fumes. The Lord does not desire for us to live our lives on fumes. He wants us to live abundantly. This cannot happen in our own strength. If we try to live the life that God desires in our own power, we will fail every single time.

The Sabbath is to be Holy

Earlier I said that there were two important terms that we needed to understand to properly understand this commandment. The first was “Sabbath”. The other was “holy.”

The word holy means “set apart to God”. This term has the idea that something or someone is different from everything else. This is why we say that God is holy – because there is nothing or no one else like Him.

In the 4th commandment, God sets the Sabbath day apart as holy. He intends this day of our week to look different from any other day. It is to be special.

Conclusion

In the 4th Commandment, God sets the Sabbath aside as holy. It is to be set apart and look different from all other days. This is a reflection of our faith in a way. The God that we worship is holy. He is different and set apart from any other god. He calls those who have placed their faith in Jesus to be different. We are not to operate like those who do not follow Jesus.

Though we do not know what lies ahead of us, God does. He knows that there are things that are above our pay-grade that lay ahead. He knows that we will need times of rest, reflection, and refueling. This is why He has called for a Sabbath among His people. How are you doing with the Sabbath?

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Reverence for God's Name

We are in a series where we are looking at the Ten Commandments. We find ourselves in Exodus 20 looking at the third commandment. I would invite you to find Exodus 20 in your Bible and join me as we look at this third commandment.

In 1977, the movie, “Oh God!”, was released. In this movie, God was portrayed as coming to earth and talking with a store manager named Jerry. In a conversation between the two, Jerry says without thinking to himself, “Oh God!” The character playing God would reply, “Yes, Jerry? What is it?” Jerry says, “Huh? Oh, it’s nothing, Lord. It’s just an expression… a figure of speech… nothing more.” That’s when the God character says, “That’s why I am here, Jerry. I want people to know that I’m not just a figure of speech. I’m more than a phrase people blurt out when they’re frustrated. I want you to tell people to take me seriously… that I am the LORD.”

Though this was a fictional comedy from years back, I believe that there may be some truth to it even today. Many people hear and say the name of God and think nothing of it. It is just another phrase in their vocabulary.

Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God, because the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.

Exodus 20:7 (CSB)

As we make our way through the Ten Commandments, one can see a pattern that is forming:

• First Commandment = the object of our worship (who should we worship)
• Second Commandment = how we worship
• Third Commandment = the manner of our worship (reverence)

What’s in a Name?

The dictionary says that a name is “a word or combination of words by which a person, place, or thing, a body or class, or any object of thought is designated, called, or known.” ^[1] https://www.dictionary.com/browse/name In our culture today, that is very true. Many times, a name is nothing more than what someone or something is called.

In the times of the Bible, a name was something much deeper than just an ID of an individual. Names were often given to reveal one’s character – who one really is. 

We can see a form of this even played out in today’s world. What comes to mind when you hear the name: Bill Gates/Steve Jobs, Elvis Presley, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan…

Sometimes, a person can do something that smears his or her reputation and it is forever changed: Benedict Arnold, OJ Simpson, Pete Rose.

One can see that a name is much more than just a word that you put on a sticker to wear on your shirt. Names have deep ties to the person they are associated with. This points to the importance of the Third Commandment. When a person misuses God’s name, he or she is messing with the character of God.

Ways God’s Name is Misused

Profanity

Profanity is what commonly comes to most people’s minds when they think about the Third Commandment. When we use God’s name in a manner of trying to curse someone, that is most definitely misusing the Lord’s name. 

Jesus taught in the model prayer that God’s name is to be held in high respect.

Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy.

Matthew 6:9 (CSB)

When a person uses profanity and includes the Lord’s name in it, that person is not honoring the name of the Lord. God never intended for His name to be used as a tool to call curses on someone or to down anyone. His name is the only name under heaven given to people where they can find true life (Acts 4:12).

Flippancy

To use the name of the Lord flippantly means that one uses it in a way that downplays or fails to recognize the significance of who we are talking about. This is not necessarily cursing, but just using it commonly. 

The God of the Bible is anything but common. He is extraordinary. He is matchless. His name is the name above all other names. 

This is what the illustration I shared at the beginning was talking about. To flippantly speak about God shows that one does not have a clear understanding of Whom they are talking about. 

Jesus warns about the flippant speech of any kind in Matthew 12:36.

I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.

Matthew 12:36 (CSB)

Think about that for a second. Every careless or flippant word that we speak, we will have to give an account for. While many may have the same outlook at Jerry from the movie earlier (“it’s just a phrase”), God does not share that same view. God understands the power of words. We should be careful in what words that we use and how we use them as well.

In the Jewish culture (both in biblical times and today), they will not speak the covenant name of God (Yahweh). They believe that for anything that is not as holy as God to speak the name of God would cause them to break this commandment. 

While I would not see using the name of God as wrong in itself, I do agree with the point that God’s name (the words that we use to identify and describe Him) should be carefully chosen and used. I believe that He has earned that respect by being God. 

Hypocrisy

A third way in which we can misuse the name of the LORD is through hypocrisy. When we have made the decision to place our faith solely in Jesus Christ and become Christians, God places His name upon us. We even see that the term “Christian” means “little Christ”. When we live our lives in a manner that goes against what God desires and has even at times commanded, then we smear His name.

One writer said it this way: “The general sense of the Hebrew is that we are not to “lift up” the name of Yahweh to falsehood.” ^[2] Bruce K. Waltke, An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 419.

When we, as Christians, live in a way that contradicts what God desires, we bring reproach upon the name that has been placed upon us. We do this because we misrepresent that one that has given us new life and His name. 

When we live a lifestyle that goes against the character of God, we push other people further from the relationship with God that they so desperately need. When people who do not follow Jesus see us who claim to be changed by Him living an unchanged life, they come to the conclusion that there is nothing to Jesus… it’s a lie… He’s not really who He claims to be. 

We should be living our lives in a manner that exalts Jesus. We are the billboards that He has placed on this earth that He is the one true God and can do what He says that He can do. 

 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 (CSB)

God has placed His name upon each person that has placed his or her faith in Jesus. This is not because they deserve it. It is because He desires each of His children to bring Him honor and glory. 

Have you ever considered that the way you live your life each day is an offering that you can give to God? I’m not just talking about the big stuff, but even the mundane things of our lives can display His glory if we do them the way that He desires. 

Misattribution

A final way that I would like to share that we misuse the name of the LORD at times is something that is called misattribution. This is commonly known as when we ‘play the God card” to defend something that we want to do. 

Jen Wilkin shares in her book on the Ten Commandments about how Christians in the past had used God and even the Bible to defend persecution of Muslims and African chattel slavery. ^[3]Felicia R. Lee, “From Noah’s Curse to Slavery’s Rationale,” The New York Times, November 01, 2003, https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/01/arts/from-noah-s-curse-to-slavery-s-rationale.html.” … Continue reading

This may come about in our lives when we are given wise advice about a situation or decision, but it is not what we want to hear. We throw out the phrase, “but I feel that God has told me to do this”, to shoot down that good advice. We have made up our minds to do what we want and figure that no one can argue with “God told me”.  

The misattribution of God’s name is a smokescreen. It comes across as humble and spiritual, but the truth is that it is a mask for pride and hypocrisy many times. 

If we are going to say that God has said something, we had better make sure that He has said it. God will never say anything to anyone that will contradict what He has already said in His Word (the Bible). We cannot use God to our advantage to get what we want. He is pretty clear in the Third Commandment that He will not leave anyone unpunished that misuses His name. 

Conclusion

The fact is this… too many times we do not hold the name of God in high respect. Names are so much more than just words. They represent the character of what they are describing or identifying. If we as Christians are using God’s name in a way that does not bring Him respect, then we are misusing His name. 

We need to pay close attention to the words that we speak and the actions that we do because they will make a much bigger impact than we might think. 

God has placed His name upon those who have placed their faith in Him. That is an honor. That is a true privilege. What do people think and believe about God because of what they see in us? 

References[+]

References

↑1	https://www.dictionary.com/browse/name
↑2	Bruce K. Waltke, An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 419.
↑3	Felicia R. Lee, “From Noah’s Curse to Slavery’s Rationale,” The New York Times, November 01, 2003, https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/01/arts/from-noah-s-curse-to-slavery-s-rationale.html.” Excerpt From: Jen Wilkin. “Ten Words to Live By.”

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The Object of Our Worship

The Ten Commandments are some of the first things that come to mind when people think about the Bible. They are the foundation of God’s law. The Ten Commandments are supposed to serve as the primary source of all laws in our country. If you visit the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., you will notice that at the top of the building on the Eastern side is a group of figures. In the middle of those figures is Moses holding the tablets that had the Ten Commandments on them.

While the Ten Commandments are recognized by many as laws that are given by God, not as many as you would think could tell you what they are. There was an alarming survey ^[1] http://www.reuters.com/article/us-bible-commandments/americans-know-big-macs-better-than-ten-commandments-idUSN1223894020071012 that was released in 2007 that showed more Americans knew the ingredients of a Big Mac than the Ten Commandments. 

• 80% knew about the “two all-beef patties” while less than 60% knew “you shall not murder.” 
• 62% knew that the Big Mac had a pickle while only 45% could recall “Honor your father and mother.”

It is no secret that our society is becoming more biblically illiterate. With more people knowing the ingredients of a McDonald’s sandwich than the foundation from which all law comes, is it any wonder that our culture is in the shape that it is? 

Here at FBC Fulton, we desire to do everything in our power to help our community to know what the Bible says. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, inerrant and infallible. It is the special revelation that God has given to us so that we can know Him and His desires. 

Much more than rules

When we say that the Ten Commandments are the foundation of God’s law, some hear that and think that is all that it is… a bunch of guidelines. Notice that the Bible does not call them the Ten Suggestions. They are the Ten Commandments. 

Our culture today does not like to be told what it can and cannot do. Rules are seen by many as something to be broken… something that hinders one from fully experiencing all that life has to offer. 

Some will insist that Christianity is not about rules but a relationship. As Jen Wilkin stated in her book on the Ten Commandments, 

“We are saved into special relationship with God, and thereby into special relationship with other believers. Christianity is about relationship with God and others, and because this statement is true, Christianity is also unapologetically about rules, for rules show us how to live in those relationships.” ^[2] Excerpt From: Jen Wilkin. “Ten Words to Live By.” Apple Books.Jen Wilkin

You see, without rules, our hopes of any healthy relationship vanish quickly. Jesus did not pit rules against relationships. In fact, He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

It is because we want our relationships – both with God and other people – to be all that they are supposed to be that we are going to dive in and examine what God is telling us through the Ten Commandments. 

Then God spoke all these words:

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. Do not have other gods besides me.

Exodus 20:1-3 (CSB)

God had written His laws on the hearts of mankind. These laws were given to us to show us what God expected of His people. A big problem happened when sin entered: everything got messed up. There was a need for revival or at least a reminder of these commands.

Before God chose to give these commandments from which our laws today come from, He wanted to make sure that the people knew exactly who it was that was giving them.

A History Reminder

The Israelites had just been freed from slavery in Egypt. When God had called Moses to lead this expedition of freedom, He gave Moses a sign.

[God] answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I am the one who sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.” (Exodus 3:12)

The very place where the burning bush took place would be the place where God would bring His people to and deliver the Ten Commandments. As the Israelites prepared to enter into the Promised Land, God wanted to make sure that His people knew what He expected of them. These were the words that they should live by. 

Commandment #1: The Object of Our Worship

In Exodus 20:3, God shares the first commandment that we are to have no other gods besides Him. This commandment flows from an understanding of who God is and what He has done for us. In verse 2, God reminded the Israelites that it was He who saw their desperate need… it was He that rescued them when no one else could or even would. He was the only God worthy of our worship.

We live in a similar type of society that the Israelites came from. It was a very pluralistic society. As you look around our community, it resembles the Athens that is found in Acts 17. In first-century Athens, the people were a very “religious” type of people. They had fashioned altars and made gods out of just about anything and everything. It doesn’t take much to see the same thing happening all around us.

When God speaks about having no other gods besides Him, He is not saying that it is okay to have other gods in our lives. Some people believe that as long as these gods line up behind Jesus, then everything will be okay. 

What other gods could be fighting for position in our lives? It is interesting that throughout the Old Testament, you see two false gods repeatedly mentioned.

• Baal – a god seen to control the weather and brought financial success. People would do whatever they could to ensure that they were financially blessed. Does that sound familiar? How many people today in our culture are selling their souls and doing unthinkable things just to get ahead financially?
• Ashtoreth – a goddess seen to be over romance, reproduction, and war. Do you see the influence of sex and power in our day? Of course, you do. It seems to be everywhere. 

While these gods may go by different names today, we can see clearly that they are very present. While they may promise happiness, they are tools that Satan uses to pull us away from the One true God and His plan for our lives.

Jesus had something to say about having multiple gods present in our lives: 

“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

Idolatry

When a person fails to keep this first commandment of having no other gods besides the One true God, it is known as idolatry. The Bible has a lot to say about idolatry.

• We are to flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14)
• Idolatry keep us from inheriting eternal life (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
• Idolatry is a mark of the old life that Jesus redeems us from (1 Peter 4:3)

Conclusion

Many look at the Ten Commandments (and much of the Bible) as just a bunch of rules. Rules that are keeping us from the fun stuff – the things that we want to do. We don’t like rules many times. They seem restrictive and enslaving. Maturity tells us a different story. Maturity tells us that rules are there not to kill our joy but to bring about more freedom. 

I do not allow my children to play out in the middle of the street near our house. I don’t care how much they want to. I don’t care that they want to investigate what today’s roadkill is. It is not because I want to squash their joy. It is because I love and care for them. It is because I want them to experience something much greater than that. 

God’s intention is not to be a “kill-joy”. Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10). God wants us to recognize that though many things around us will promise fulfillment and happiness – they look good and many flock to them, what we are looking for can only come through God. He is the One that saw our great need – how we were enslaved to our sin and condemned to an eternity in hell. He is the One that actually did something about it by sending His Son to come and be our atoning sacrifice. He is the One that will be bluntly honest with you about the truth. He is the One that calls out to you. He is the One that has prepared a place for you to be with Him forever. He alone is God. 

The main point behind the first commandment is to recognize that there is only One true God. He is not to be the one at the top of our list. He is to be the entire list. As we begin to focus in on that truth, we may be realizing through the work of the Holy Spirit that there are some idols in our lives. Maybe there are some things that we’ve allowed to settle in, and they have more control of our lives than they should. They may not have removed God from the picture entirely, but they are enthroned alongside Him today. 

If that is you, I would say to you today that you need to confess the fact that you’ve allowed these things to have an improper place in your life. You need to ask the One true God to forgive you for that and for Him to put those things in their proper place. We cannot serve two masters, and God will not share His throne with anyone or anything. It may be that these idols are keeping you from doing what God is wanting to do in your life. Are you going to let these false gods rob you of experiencing the greatness of the One true God?

God said, “Do not have any gods besides Me.” Jesus would remind of us this when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). 

It is time that God’s people recognize God’s rightful place as the One true God and to worship and serve Him with all that we are. For it is when we do this that we find abundant life.

References[+]

References

↑1	http://www.reuters.com/article/us-bible-commandments/americans-know-big-macs-better-than-ten-commandments-idUSN1223894020071012
↑2	Excerpt From: Jen Wilkin. “Ten Words to Live By.” Apple Books.

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Book Review: Ten Words To Live By

Title: Ten Words to Live By: Delighting In and Doing What God Commands
Author: Jen Wilkin
Publisher: Crossway Publishers

When it comes to things that people recognize from the Bible, the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament ranks high on the list. You do not have to be a follower of Christianity or Judaism to know what the Ten Commandments are. There is a sculpture of Moses that hangs in the House Chamber of the United States Congress that serves to remind us that many of the laws of our land find their roots in the Ten Commandments.

For something to be so well-known, it is interesting to me to find that there are still so many questions about these “Ten Words” that were given by God to the Israelites centuries ago. In her latest book, Jen Wilkin seeks to “present a fresh biblical look at the Ten Commandments, showing how they come to bear on our lives today as we seek to love God and others, to live in joyful freedom, and to long for that future day when God will be rightly worshiped for eternity.”¹ I find that in Ten Words to Live By, Wilkin does a phenomenal job with this task.

From the beginning of the book, Wilkin shows that while Christianity is about a relationship with the living God of the universe, there are some laws that have to be in place. This is an important point to make during the times that we live where many want to make things just about them and how they like them to be. There is a standard that has been set, and we are not the ones who drew that line in the sand.

Wilkin shows how the Ten Words (another common phrase for the Ten Commandments) help us to live at peace with God and others. She takes a chapter to devote to each of the Ten Commandments, and she uses great insight to help the reader to get a better understanding of what each Commandment is saying to us.

Wilkin is a gem that God has given to the Church to help understand God’s Word in a mighty way. I appreciate the style of writing and teaching that she uses in presenting God’s Word clearly and showing how it relates both to the original context and to today’s world.

Ten Words to Live By is a very easy read. I believe that it took me all of a couple of days to work through from cover to cover. Each chapter is wrapped up with some “verses for meditation” to help the reader get a better understanding of the content from God’s Word. There are also “questions for reflection” at the end of each chapter that lead the reader to really internalize what he or she has just read.

RECOMMENDATION

After reading Ten Words to Live By, I have come to the conclusion that this is a book that should be on every person’s bookshelf. Wilkin has done a wonderful job in taking the timeless truths of God’s Word and made given the Church a tool to better understand them. This book is equipped to take the reader to a deeper and more personal understanding of the Ten Commandments.

¹ used from Crossway Publisher’s website (https://www.crossway.org/books/ten-words-to-live-by-tpb/) about Ten Words to Live By

*** A free copy of this book was provided to me by Crossway Publishers in return for an honest review.

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