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The Ten Commandments Part 10: What Does The Bible Say About Coveting?

What does the Bible say about coveting? This article is an in-depth exegesis of the Tenth Commandment. It explains the true meaning of coveting and the consequences it can produce in individuals, families, and nations.

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Scripture Foundation

Exodus 20:17 NKJV

  1. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Understanding Covetousness

The Scripture says, “You shall not covet.” But what does it mean to covet? According to Merriam-Webster, to covet is to desire something earnestly, especially something that belongs to another person, in an excessive or wrongful way.

In simple terms, coveting is an uncontrolled desire for wealth, possessions, status, or anything that belongs to someone else.

Biblically, covetousness is a selfish, excessive desire to possess what another person has. It goes beyond ordinary desire and becomes a craving for wealth, position, or possessions that replaces contentment in God. Scripture identifies this kind of desire as idolatry.

Colossians 3:5 NKJV

  1. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Colossians uses the word “covetousness,” which means the state of being covetous. The root word is covet.

Coveting is destructive because it often begins quietly—as a thought or desire—but can gradually take control of the heart and mind. If it is not confronted, it can grow into a temptation that feels difficult to resist. That is why we need God’s strength to help us reject the desire to take or pursue what does not belong to us. Covetousness is rooted in human nature and lies behind many problems in society.

The Tenth Commandment Addresses the Heart

This commandment is different from all the others.

Most of the previous commandments deal with actions, such as:

  • Murder
  • Adultery
  • Stealing
  • Lying

But coveting deals with something that may never become visible to anyone else.

It addresses the heart.

Although covetousness appears last in the Ten Commandments, it is not a lesser sin. It is often overlooked because, unlike murder or theft, it may remain hidden. Yet it is dangerous precisely because it can take hold of us before we recognize it.

Few sermons, lessons, or books focus on covetousness, even though it is one of society’s most common struggles. At its core, covetousness is a craving that can capture the heart, and our culture is saturated with it, just as Israel was.

Covetousness in Society and Culture

Let’s look at what God said through His prophet Jeremiah as He pronounced judgment upon Israel.

Jeremiah 6:13 NKJV

  1. “Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely.

Unchecked covetousness produces the condition Jeremiah described: “Everyone deals falsely.”

Modern culture often encourages coveting. Entire industries profit by creating dissatisfaction, and advertising frequently pushes the idea that we need more than we have.

For example, five mornings a week, I power walk outside and use an app to track my steps, time, and distance. Before I can begin, advertisements often interrupt the app, forcing me to wait. Those few seconds may seem small, but they show how aggressively advertising inserts itself into our lives. If we are not careful, it trains us to want what we do not need.

Advertising frequently says:

  • You must have more
  • You deserve more.
  • You need what they have.
  • Your life would be better if you owned this.
  • Compare yourself to others.

We live in a comparison-driven society, and social media has intensified that pressure.

People constantly see:

  • Other people’s homes
  • Vacations
  • Cars
  • Relationships
  • Success

When we focus on what others have, admiration can turn into envy, envy into resentment, and resentment into obsession.

Examples of Covetousness and Its Destruction

Covetousness is deeply destructive. It harms individuals, families, and even nations. Let’s consider both a biblical example and a modern-day example.

Biblical Example: Israel Desiring a King

First, the biblical example: Israel had been delivered from slavery in Egypt and was led by God. But over time, the people decided that God’s leadership was not enough.

1 Samuel 8:4-22 NKJV

This passage is lengthy, but it is important to read it fully. Afterward, we will consider what it reveals.

This is the account of Israel’s request to Samuel for a king.

  1. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah,
  2.  and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
  3. But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord.
  4. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. 8. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also.
  5. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.”
  6. So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who asked him for a king.
  7. And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots.
  8. He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.
  9. He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.
  10. And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants.
  11. He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants.
  12. And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work.
  13. He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants.
  14. And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day.”
  15. NEVERTHELESS the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us,
  16. that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
  17. And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the Lord.
  18. So the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed their voice, and make them a king.”

And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man go to his city.”

If Israel chose to live under a monarchy, their freedom would be greatly limited. Samuel warned them of several consequences.

1) In verses 11–12, their sons would be taken for military service. They would care for horses and chariots, serve in the king’s forces, and many would be removed from their homes for war.

2) In verse 12, people would be forced into labor, working in fields and producing food, weapons, and equipment for the king.

3) In verse 13, their daughters would be taken to serve in the royal household as perfumers, cooks, and bakers.

4) In verse 14, the king would take their best fields, vineyards, and olive groves for his servants and officials.

5) In verse 15, he would impose taxes to support his government and reward his officers.

6) In verse 16, he would take servants, workers, and valuable animals for his own use.

7) In verse 17, he would take a portion of their flocks and increase their burdens.

8) In short, the people would lose freedoms and become servants of the king. His demands would come first, and their liberty would depend on his character and justice.

Yet even after hearing these warnings, the people insisted in verses 19–20: “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

It is important to understand that wanting a king was not wrong in itself. God had already allowed for a king in His law (Deuteronomy 17:14–20; see also Genesis 49:10; Numbers 24:7, 17).

Deuteronomy 17:15, 20 NKJV

  1. you shall surely set a king over you whom THE LORD YOUR GOD CHOOSES; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.
  2. that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.

The problem was their motive. They wanted a king “like all the nations,” instead of a leader chosen and shaped by God. In doing so, they rejected God’s rule and broke the covenant with Him.

There is a saying: Be careful what you ask for—you just might get it. Israel asked, and God gave them what they wanted.

As pointed out earlier, the king’s demands would come first, and their liberty would depend on his character and justice.

Because of Solomon’s sins, God divided the kingdom, leaving only one tribe, Judah in the south because of His covenant with David (1 Kings 11:13). The northern kingdom of Israel eventually had nineteen kings, all of whom were evil. Judah had twenty kings, twelve of whom were evil.

Those wicked kings led Israel and Judah into idolatry and destruction. Eventually, both kingdoms fell, and many survivors were exiled to Babylon for 70 years.

All of this began with a covetous desire to be like the surrounding nations. They wanted what others had, without considering the spiritual cost.

The lesson is clear: we must not covet what others have because we do not know the cost behind it. We may not know why they have it, how they got it, or what burdens came with it. The grass may look greener on the other side—until we get there.

The consequences of sin are not always immediate. Israel’s downfall unfolded over hundreds of years, but it still came.

Now, there are other Biblical examples of covetousness, but this is the one I was led to share.

Modern Example: Coveting What Belongs to Another Nation

Now, let’s look at a modern example of the destruction of covetousness.

Now let’s consider a modern example. Russia is geographically the largest country in the world, yet its leader desired control over Ukraine. The consequences have been devastating.

According to reports from the World Bank and Reuters:

If we use mid-range estimates:

  • Military dead: roughly 300,000–450,000+
  • Military wounded/missing: well over 1 million
  • Civilian dead: 15,000+ verified, likely more
  • Civilians injured: 40,000+ verified
  • Property damage in Ukraine alone: about $195 billion
  • Reconstruction cost: roughly $588 billion

And those figures do not fully account for economic losses, lost productivity, demographic decline, refugees, or the destruction inside Russia from Ukrainian strikes. The true economic cost on both sides is far higher.

From a historical perspective, it is already one of the bloodiest and most destructive wars in Europe since World War II.

The numbers are staggering, and the war is not over. This is what covetousness can produce when one leader desires what belongs to another nation. We must ask: is it worth it?

So, we have two examples of covetousness destroying nations. Now imagine what can happen in individual lives and families.

Covetousness Today: The Financial Cost of Wanting More

One way we see covetousness today is in the financial state of our society. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Americans together owe about $18.8 trillion in household debt. This includes mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and credit card debt. Most of this is from mortgages, but the average household still has about $21,600 in other types of debt.
Some debt is necessary, but a lot of it is optional and could be avoided. Many people take on extra debt because they spend more than they can afford, not out of need, but because they want things they see, hear about, or notice others have. This is at the heart of covetousness: always wanting more, no matter the need or the future cost.
Scripture offers a sobering perspective on such behavior. Proverbs 22:7 states:
7. “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
This verse shows that too much debt can trap us financially. What starts as a wish for a better life or more comfort can end up making us dependent and less free, and it can hurt our ability to manage what we have.
Spiritually, the effects are even more serious. “If we let jealousy, envy, and the constant pursuit of material things rule our lives, we go against the values of contentment and trust in God. It makes us ask: how can we hope to inherit God’s kingdom if we are always wanting what others have?
In the end, covetousness is not just a personal issue. It is a problem in our culture that affects us financially and spiritually. To change, we need to practice careful management, be thankful, and focus on being content with what God has already given us.

Scriptural Warnings Against Coveting

We are so warned about coveting in the Scriptures.

Again, the tenth Commandment reads in  Exodus 20:17: NKJV

  1. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

We are not to covet, as the Scripture reads, “anything that is your neighbor’s.”

That means we should not be consumed with our neighbor’s possessions, business, or blessings. Instead, we are to focus faithfully on what God has entrusted to us.

As we do, we should live with thanksgiving and contentment.

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

  1. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV

  1. Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

Our focus should be on God and godliness, not on our neighbor’s possessions or the temporary things of this world.

When we put our trust in man rather than in God, there is a price to pay.

Jeremiah 17:5 NKJV

  1. Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord.

This is what Israel did, and we have seen the result. The same warning applies to individuals who place their trust in people or possessions rather than in God.

And now we look at the end result.

Ephesians 5:5 NKJV

  1. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor COVETOUS man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Notice that these warnings appear in both the Old and New Testaments.

How Covetousness Leads to Other Sins

The Tenth Commandment ties the others together because covetousness can lead us to break every commandment. It can lead us to:

Have other gods before God #1

Bow down to idols #2

Take the Lord’s name in vain #3

Not honor the Sabbath #4

Dishonor our fathers and mothers #5

Kill one another #6

Commit adultery #7

To steal #8

To bear false witness #9

A covetous person cannot covet without breaking at least one or more of these commandments; depending on how severe a case may be.

Bottom line: They will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Choosing Contentment and Trusting God

The Tenth Commandment teaches that God is concerned not only with our actions, but also with our desires.

We cannot live consumed by what our neighbors have or driven by excessive desire for the things of this world.

How can we inherit heaven while holding on to jealousy and envy? It cannot work.

But the Lord is gracious. If covetousness has taken root in us, it is not too late to turn from it and learn contentment.

My position is this: things can always be better, but they could also be worse. So I thank God for what I have and choose to be content. What is not mine was not meant for me, and what God has for me will come in His time.

As Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

What Does the Bible Say About Coveting?

Seek God, trust what He has for you, and let Him bring it to pass.

Be blessed— and have a Great Day!

Amen

Questions, comments, and concerns may be left below.

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For the short version, click the link

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The Ten Commandments (Part 9): What Does the Bible Say About Lying?

Why is truth so hard to find today? We live in a world where misinformation, deception, rumors, and half-truths seem to be everywhere. Trust in leaders, institutions, media, and even personal relationships has steadily eroded. In such an environment, many people ask: What does the Bible say about lying? The answer begins with God’s command in Exodus 20:16: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

In this article, we examine the ninth commandment found in Exodus 20:16.

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Exodus 20:16

  1. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

Have You Ever Broken the Ninth Commandment?

Lying—giving false testimony about others—is something all of us have done. At one time or another, we have all:

  • told a small “white lie”
  • distorted the truth
  • told only part of the truth
  • repeated gossip without knowing the facts
  • damaged someone’s reputation
  • spoke falsely against someone
  • avoided blame by bending the truth
  • shifted blame by withholding the truth
  • hinted at or implied something false about another person
  • exaggerated the truth to make ourselves look better
  • used a gesture or expression to suggest something false or to avoid revealing the truth

Scripture unequivocally declares, in Psalm 116:11 (NKJV), “All men are liars.”

  1. I said in my haste, “All men are liars.”

The Meaning of the Ninth Commandment

Lying is so common in our culture that many people now tolerate it, expect it, or simply stop questioning it. Public statements are often treated with suspicion, trust in leaders and institutions has eroded, and truth is increasingly treated as something subjective rather than objective. Yet giving new labels to falsehood does not change what it is: a lie remains a lie.

This erosion of truth has serious consequences. When dishonesty becomes normal, trust breaks down in families, friendships, churches, businesses, and society as a whole. That is why the ninth commandment still matters so deeply: God calls His people to be truthful in word and character, building their lives and relationships on what is true.

This is the heart of the ninth commandment: truth matters. We are to build our lives—and our families, friendships, businesses, schools, churches, communities, and governments—on truth. Commandment Nine concerns our words and character: never lie.

Who is to obey this commandment? Some commentators say that this commandment was initially given to govern testimony in legal courts, to make absolutely sure that no one lied or gave false testimony in court.

There is no question that this commandment does direct an individual who gives evidence in court: his testimony must always be true. But the commandment is considerably broader than that; it covers far more than legal testimony. God is affirming that no person is ever to lie against a neighbor. We must not at any time bear false witness against a neighbor, and we must never bear false witness to a neighbor. We must always tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

The Ongoing Relevance of the Commandment

So, was this commandment just for the ancient Israelites, or perhaps only for people who lived before Christ? Was lying merely a problem back then, or is it something we still struggle with today? The answer is clear: this commandment is just as important now as it was then. God still cares deeply about righteousness in our world. When He says, “You shall not bear false witness,” He means it for us too. We are called not to lie—ever.

The New Testament addresses lying in the same way as the Old Testament.

Ephesians 4:25 (NKJV) begins a passage that addresses grieving the Holy Spirit.

  1. Therefore, putting away LYING, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

Colossians 3:9 NKJV

  1. Do not LIE to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

Adopting a new identity in Christ naturally changes how we behave. This transformation means leaving behind all forms of dishonesty—every attitude or action that belongs to our former life and does not reflect Christ’s teachings. Just as we set aside our old nature to embrace a new one, we reject deceit and commit ourselves to honesty.

When we lie to one another, we undermine our unity, spark disagreements, and break down trust. Dishonesty damages relationships and can even create serious divisions within the church, the home, and work. On the other hand, being truthful encourages understanding. To preserve unity, believers need to be completely honest with each other.

Forms of False Witness

Lies come in many shapes, and we must be vigilant to avoid them. Here are a few.

One example is slander: this means having negative thoughts about someone and telling others, distorting the truth about them, or damaging a person’s reputation by spreading harmful stories.

Psalm 101:5 NKJV

  1. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure.

Proverbs 10:18 NKJV

  1. Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Another form is gossip or spreading rumors. This involves sharing stories—big or small, whether fabricated or based on something heard. It means passing along negative information, whether it is a product of our imagination or something we have been told.

1 Timothy 5:13 NKJV

  1. And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

Then there are subtle suggestions or insinuations: these create negative impressions about a person, raise suspicions that something could be true, or lead others to consider the possibility of inappropriate or questionable behavior.

Exodus 23:1 NKJV

  1. You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

Deception is another kind of lie: it happens when we convince ourselves or others that something is true simply because we wish it to be, or when we share information as fact without really knowing the truth. It involves misleading both ourselves and others, especially when we accept and spread negative reports that might not actually be accurate.

Proverbs 12:17 NKJV

  1. He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.

Another form is making false accusations or offering harsh criticism: this includes bringing complaints about someone to others, discussing their shortcomings or mistakes with people beside them, and criticizing or judging someone in conversations where they aren’t present.

Exaggeration and excessive flattery are also forms of dishonesty: this means overstating the truth about someone, giving them undeserved praise, misrepresenting who they are, or creating an inaccurate image of that person.

Proverbs 29:5 NKJV

  1. A man who flatters his neighbor Spreads a net for his feet.

Psalm 12:3 NKJV

  1. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things,

Now that covers the types of lies. Let’s look at how these lies can be applied.

There are countless ways people can be dishonest, including:

  • giving false testimony under oath
  • spreading misleading information for a purpose
  • exaggerating achievements
  • only sharing part of the truth
  • not keeping promises
  • distorting facts to avoid blame
  • placing responsibility on others
  • trying to damage someone’s reputation
  • telling a lie for personal benefit
  • inventing reasons to avoid consequences
  • trying to avoid accountability or discipline
  • using gestures or expressions, like raising an eyebrow or shrugging, to deny the truth or suggest something false

Three Serious Consequences of Lying

Telling a lie creates at least three serious consequences.

1) Lying distorts reality. It hides what is true, leaving people in the dark and causing them to make decisions based on falsehood. When the lie is significant, the damage can be severe:

  • Dishonesty in business can cause financial loss and hardship.
  • Pretending to love someone can lead to heartbreak and harm.
  • Lying about the gospel can obscure a person’s hope of eternal life.

2) Lying misleads people. It sends them off course for selfish or destructive purposes, such as:

  • to gain a personal advantage
  • to manipulate or tempt another person
  • to conceal the truth
  • to bring harm or distress

The result is confusion, disappointment, uncertainty, helplessness, emotional pain, and sometimes even moral ruin.

3) Lying destabilizes relationships. No friendship, family, marriage, church, or partnership can remain healthy when built on dishonesty. Lying tears down:

  • confidence
  • peace of mind
  • sense of safety
  • love
  • mutual trust
  • hope for the future

In addition, Scripture highlights three sobering realities about false witness.

1) False witness spreads quickly. It is often shared first with people we trust, but those people may pass it on to others. In this way, the damage multiplies, harming both people and the cause of Christ.
2) Whether true or false, harmful talk still wounds. Repeating a person’s failures or shame can deeply hurt that person and those close to them.

Proverbs 18:8 NKJV

  1. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

3) God holds false witnesses accountable. No one escapes His judgment for spreading lies or rumors.

Proverbs 19:9 NKJV

  1. A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.

The Father of Lies vs. The God of Truth

Satan is the originator of lies and deceit. He was the first to ever speak a falsehood, which is why he is known as the father of lies. When someone chooses to lie, they are imitating Satan’s example and, according to the Bible, are described as a “child of the devil.”

John 8:44 NKJV

  1. 44. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

What Does the Bible say About Lying

On the other hand, God is the ultimate source of truth. Throughout Scripture, it is repeatedly affirmed that God is the God of truth.

Numbers 23:19 NKJV

  1. “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent.

Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

20 Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

Deuteronomy 32:4 NKJV

  1. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of TRUTH and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

Titus 1:1-2 NKJV

  1. 1. Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,
  2.  in hope of eternal life which God, WHO CANNOT LIE, promised before time began,

There are others.

Because truth reflects God’s own character, dishonesty brings real damage wherever it takes root. Bearing false witness can destroy relationships, destabilize homes and organizations, and lead to painful consequences such as the following:

  • divorce
  • losing a job
  • unemployment
  • broken relationships
  • emotional pain
  • failure
  • bankruptcy
  • collapse of organizations or families
  • acts of revenge
  • retaliation
  • abuse
  • accidents
  • suffering
  • imprisonment
  • even death

When considering honesty and how we communicate the truth, it is important to ask: Should truth always be delivered bluntly or without compassion?

In legal settings, truth must be presented clearly and directly. However, in our personal interactions, we should be careful not to inflict unnecessary pain, embarrassment, or shame. We are never called to use the truth as a weapon to hurt others. Instead, we should always express truth with kindness and love, not with harshness or cruelty.

Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV)

  1. but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

Blessings of Obedience

What are the rewards of obeying this commandment? Our word is our bond. When our word is trustworthy, it is reflected in our character. According to Scripture, those whose words can be relied upon will experience great blessings.

Someone who speaks honestly and embraces God’s wonderful gift of salvation will receive both blessings and righteousness from the Lord.

Psalm 24:4-5 NKJV

  1. He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,

Nor sworn deceitfully.

  1. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

A person who genuinely loves others will not spread falsehoods about anyone. When faced with a concern or a troubling rumor, he will approach the individual directly, aiming to help restore them in their faith. It’s important to remember that true love avoids harshness or belittling. Instead, it addresses others with compassion, gentleness, and strength, always guided by the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 6:1-2 NKJV

  1. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Conclusion

I’m going to close with this Scripture: Romans 12:18 (NKJV).

  1. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

One clear way to fulfill this Scripture is to obey the ninth commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

Amen

Questions, comments, and concerns may be left below

Blessings!

👉Videos

Watch the full video presentation:

For the short version, click the link

https://youtube.com/shorts/fruS-BTrFnI

 

 

👉 Follow the complete Ten Commandments series:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ten Commandments (Part 8): What Does “You Shall Not Steal” Mean?

What does “You shall not steal” mean? What do you think stealing really is? Have you ever seriously thought about it? And can you honestly say you have never stolen anything? In this article, we will examine what stealing really means as we study the Eighth Commandment: “You shall not steal.”

Today, we look at the Eighth Commandment in Exodus 20:15 NKJV:

15 “You shall not steal.”

Many people know this commandment in the older form, “Thou shalt not steal.”

As we have seen in the previous commandments of this series, our society has moved far away from them. But this eighth commandment has been violated on a massive scale. It has permeated our society to the point that it affects everybody, and everybody has contributed to it in one form or another.

Modern Examples of Theft

Let’s look at some statistics.

Theft today often happens digitally, invisibly, and remotely. One major form of theft is identity theft.

Identity theft

The FTC reported more than 1.1 million identity theft reports in 2024 through IdentityTheft.gov.

The FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network received roughly 6.5 million consumer reports involving fraud, identity theft, and scams in 2024.

Credit card fraud was the most commonly reported form of identity theft in 2024.

Motor Vehicle Theft

According to the FBI, the nationwide motor vehicle theft rate rose significantly between 2019 and 2023.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 850,000 vehicles were stolen in the United States during 2024.

However, vehicle thefts reportedly declined about 17% from 2023 to 2024, marking the largest annual drop in decades.

However, despite improvements, vehicle theft remains an enormous nationwide problem.

Retail Theft / Shoplifting

The National Retail Federation reported that shoplifting incidents in 2023 increased 93% compared to 2019 levels.

Retailers also reported approximately a 90% increase in dollar losses due to shoplifting over the same period.

Many retailers reported increased violence associated with theft incidents.

So, we see that theft increasingly affects not only property, but public safety and social trust.

Broader Property Crime Context

FBI reporting for 2024 showed property crime overall declined nationally, but theft-related offenses still affected millions of Americans.

According to Cybersecurity Ventures, theft is not limited to one nation. Around the world, theft-related crimes cost governments, businesses, and individuals hundreds of billions of dollars every year—from shoplifting and fraud to cybercrime and identity theft.

“Worldwide, theft has become increasingly digital. Global cybercrime and theft-related fraud are now estimated to cost the world trillions of dollars annually.”

Stealing has become a major quality-of-life issue. Just think about how you feel when something has been stolen from you. You feel violated, angry, and even helpless.

What Does “You Shall Not Steal” Mean in Scripture?

But here is the point: stealing is not merely taking property—it is violating trust, ownership, honesty, and ultimately God’s order. Not only do we steal from one another, but we can also steal from God.

As we continue, we will see more clearly what that means.

We need to understand that stealing is a serious sin. It hurts the person who loses something—whether it’s something small like jewelry or electronics, or something much more important like money, food, a job, or even life itself.

That is why “You shall not steal” is one of God’s Ten Commandments—the very basis of His Law.

Now think about this: what is the most frequent crime in your community, in our country, and across the world? In most places, the answer is theft. It has become so common that people barely notice it anymore. You see it everywhere, and examples come to mind quickly:

Here are some common examples:

  • People in government who dip into public funds as though they were personal resources.
  • Workers who help themselves to what belongs to the company.
  • Businesses that exploit others through unfair pay or inflated prices.
  • Athletes and public figures who cut corners and act dishonestly.
  • Friends, neighbors, and acquaintances who lie, cheat, or take what is not theirs.
  • Scammers who steal someone’s identity to commit fraud.
  • People who selfishly hoard resources while ignoring the needs of others.
  • Those who claim far more than their share of the earth’s wealth and resources.

Here is the point: stealing is not just about taking things. It shows a lack of respect for other individuals’ property and even for human life. Once stealing becomes normal, it breeds lawlessness, and it can spiral into violence, even assault and murder. It always leaves damage behind. It can devastate families, ruin businesses, harm entire communities, and in some cases even weaken a nation. In the end, everybody loses: the victim is left without what was taken—sometimes something so personal that it cannot truly be replaced—and the thief, even if no one else finds out, loses integrity before God and, unless he repents, risks losing his soul.

So, who is this command for? Does “You shall not steal” apply only to ancient Israel, or does it still speak to us today? The truth is that theft has been around as long as people have. And God gave this command because He cares about people—about their lives, their homes, and what they work hard to provide. It doesn’t make sense to say God cared about those things then but doesn’t care about them now.

Listen to how simple—and personal—the command is: “You shall not steal.” That is not just for one time and place; it is for you, for me, and for every generation. Stealing was wrong then, a serious offense against both people and God, and it is still wrong today. This commandment stands just as firmly now as it did for Israel.

Now let’s look at what the New Testament says:

Ephesians 4:28 NKJV

28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

In the New Testament, “thief” usually refers to someone who steals as a way of life—a bandit or habitual thief. Paul taught that when such a person comes to Christ, the old pattern must be put away and replaced with honest work. Because stealing often stems from idleness or laziness, his instruction was both negative and positive: stop stealing and start working.

He may also have had slaves in mind, since many served in households and were tempted to take what was not theirs, and many of them became believers. In any case, Christians are called to work diligently, contribute responsibly, and not live off others. But our purpose goes beyond self-support. We labor not just to provide for ourselves, but so we can share generously with those in need. Giving is at the heart of the Christian life because our true treasure is in heaven.

Remember, stealing is ultimately a heart problem. Its source is not the hand but the heart—an inner desire, craving, or coveting. Once that desire takes root and we act on it, theft follows. That is exactly what God says in James 1:14–15 NKJV:

14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Desires can be fed or starved. When a desire is sinful, we must refuse it—with God’s help. If we nurture it instead, it quickly turns into action. The responsibility for that sin is ours. James is describing a desire that has broken its boundaries—selfish, seductive, and out of control.

In other words, every sinful action begins as a thought in the heart.

So, how is this commandment broken? In more ways than we often realize. Because theft is so common—and so damaging—we need to be clear about what it looks like in everyday life. The following examples show how this sin appears in both obvious and overlooked ways.

Left unrepentant, it leads to death—eternal death. That is why it is helpful to examine common forms of theft.

Common Ways People Break “You Shall Not Steal”

A person breaks God’s commandment against stealing in many ways, including the following:

  • robbing a person, store, company, organization, or bank
  • shoplifting
  • loafing on the job
  • keeping items that were borrowed
  • failing to repay debts—not paying our bills
  • withholding taxes that are due—cheating on our income taxes
  • using false or deceptive advertising
  • keeping an overpayment, excessive refund, or extra shipment of goods
  • overcharging or price-gouging
  • paying unfair or unjust wages
  • giving less than a full day’s work
  • unjustly extending business trips at the company’s expense
  • manipulating information or stocks for personal gain
  • abusing sick days
  • arriving late or leaving early without permission
  • stealing someone’s reputation through lies, gossip, or rumor
  • denying a person justice (Is. 10:1–3)
  • taking from one’s employer (pens, paperclips, staplers)
  • making unauthorized phone calls at work
  • padding expense reports
  • kidnapping and enslaving people for work and profit
  • breaking rules or cheating to win a game, prize, or advantage*

We are often too casual about some of these things. They have become common everyday practices woven into our culture. But the fact remains: they break God’s commandment, “You shall not steal.”

How We Rob God

All acts of stealing are wrong, but there is one form of theft that is especially serious: robbing God. After considering how people steal from one another, we now turn to the ways people withhold from the One to whom everything ultimately belongs.

For starters, a person robs God by failing to give tithes and offerings to Him. This is not an article on tithing, but I would be remiss not to mention it in connection with this commandment.

Let’s look at what God said through His prophet Malachi.

Malachi 3:8–9 NKJV

8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

9 You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.

The bottom line is: everything we have comes from God; that is the first rule of Biblical stewardship. So, when we hold back and refuse to give Him a portion of what He’s already given us, we’re really taking from Him. The question is simple—are we going to keep it all for ourselves, or will we joyfully return at least ten percent to support His work and advance His Kingdom?

But that is not the only way we can rob God. A person also robs God by living a hypocritical, inconsistent life. When someone professes to believe and follow God but fails to follow through, he robs God and others of a godly testimony.

We also rob God when we live for ourselves and the world rather than for Him. God is our Creator, so we owe Him our very lives—everything we are and everything we have. When a person insists on living his own way, he is taking his life back from God.

1 John 2:15–16 NKJV

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

These are some of the ways people rob God.

Scriptural Instruction for Christians

Scripture not only forbids stealing; it also teaches Christian believers what to avoid and how to live instead. These passages move from warning to instruction, showing both what must be rejected and what must be practiced.

First, what not to do: We must never withhold tithes and offerings from God. Now, we’ve already seen the Scripture addressing this.

Next, we must never cheat our brothers or sisters in anything.

1 Thessalonians 4:6–7 NKJV

6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

We must never steal people—by kidnapping, enslaving, or holding them in bondage—because it strips them of their right to their own life.

Exodus 21:16 NKJV

16 “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.”

Scripture also tells us what to do.

We need to live by the golden rule: be honest and fair with people and simply treat them the way we’d want them to treat us.

Matthew 7:12 NKJV

12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Next, we need to learn contentment, remembering that we brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out.

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Therefore, stealing is futile.

Lastly, we’re called to work hard and trust God to meet our needs. When we steal, we’re really saying we don’t trust Him.

Philippians 4:19 NKJV

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Consequences of Disobedience

So, what are the consequences of disobeying this Commandment?

What happens when we break this commandment and steal from others? Look around—respect for what belongs to someone else is collapsing. And when crisis hits—hurricanes, floods, and the like—some people do not wait for help; they rush to loot while the dust is still settling.

God hates stealing, not only because of the harm it causes, but stealing reflects the destructive nature of Satan, whom Scripture associates with theft, destruction, and death.. Scripture is blunt about him: he is a thief.

John 10:10 NKJV

  1. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

God will judge the greatest thief of all, and He will also repay every thief according to his deeds. Whoever breaks this holy commandment will face serious consequences.

Without repentance, condemnation is inevitable.

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 NKJV

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

10 nor THIEVES, … will inherit the kingdom of God.

Stealing also corrupts the thief and makes him spiritually unclean.

Matthew 15:19–20 NKJV

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, THEFTS, false witness, blasphemies.

20 These are the things which defile a man…

You Shall Not Steal
You Shall Not Steal

Blessings of Honesty and Obedience

Now, imagine a world where everyone obeyed this command—where theft did not exist. The blessings of honesty would be far-reaching, both spiritually and socially. Consider some of the blessings that follow obedience.

An honest believer walks in righteousness and lives securely.

Proverbs 10:9 NKJV

9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways [Steals] will become known.

Honesty and devotion to the Lord free a person from falsehood and deceit.

Proverbs 30:7–9 NKJV

7 Two things I request of You (deprive me not before I die):

8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me;

9 Lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.

Riches can tempt the soul, but so can lack. Poverty can crush the body and weigh down the spirit, and wealth is certainly no savior. Only the Lord is enough.

Therefore the best position to take is to be content with what the Lord has already blessed us with—be content with what we have.

1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

This statement is a key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment. We should honor God, center our desires on Him, and be content with what He is doing in our lives. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Therefore, we have no need to steal.

If we seek God’s kingdom and righteousness and learn contentment, stealing will be the last thing on our minds.

Conclusion

My friends, we must be content and obey the Eighth Commandment: “You shall not steal.”

Amen!

May the Lord give us grace to obey His Word.

Please leave any questions, comments, or concerns below.

Blessings!

Watch the full video teaching and the companion Short below.

👉 Videos

The Ten Commandments (Part 7): What Is Adultery According to the Bible?

What is adultery according to the Bible? Most people think adultery is just a physical act. But what does the Bible say adultery is?

What if I told you—you could commit adultery without ever touching another individual?

This article continues with the series, The Ten Commandments, and addresses the 7th Commandment.

📖 Continue Through the Ten Commandments Series

The Commandment is found in: Exodus 20:14 NKJV

  1. “You shall not commit adultery.

What Adultery Means in Scripture

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, adultery is defined as “voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their current spouse. It is frequently described as “unfaithfulness to the marriage bed,” and in legal contexts, it often refers specifically to sexual activity between a married individual and a partner who is not their spouse.

God, our Creator, established two of His ten commandments to protect family relationships. The first commandment is “Honor your father and mother…,” (covered with Part 6), and the second is “You shall not commit adultery.”

How Serious is Adultery?

Very serious. This 7th commandment safeguards the sanctity of marriage, emphasizing its foundational role in society. It explicitly prohibits adultery, as it violates the sacred rights of marriage. Furthermore, any unchaste sexual behavior before marriage (fornication) compromises future marriages, making it wrong in the same way as adultery after marriage does.

In God’s view, marriage is a holy institution that must remain undefiled. It is crucial to understand the true meaning of marriage and its importance, especially in a time of rising marital unhappiness and broken homes.

Studies over the years have shown that a significant percentage of married people admit to infidelity—roughly one in five men, and a growing number of women.

Let’s look at some statistics. 

These are close approximates.

💔 Divorce & Infidelity Connection

According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

  • The current divorce rate is ~40% (down from 50%)
  • Infidelity is cited in about ~20–40% of divorces
  • It is one of the leading causes of marital breakdown

Why This Commandment Matters

When trust is broken, the foundation of the marriage is shaken.

God established the commandment against adultery for two main reasons. First, marriage is defined as a sacred union between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Jesus reaffirmed this in Matthew 19:5). It serves as the foundational building block of society, designed for mutual completion and the procreation of humanity (Genesis 1:28, 9:1; Malachi 2:15). Because of its significance, God seeks to protect marriage from defilement (Hebrews 13:4) and prohibits adultery, which undermines this sacred commitment.

Second, in Leviticus 18:1-5, God calls His people to reflect His character in the Promised Land. He commands the Israelites to be holy (Leviticus 11:44), which includes practicing sexual purity. God did not want them to mimic the immoral behaviors of the Egyptians or the surrounding nations, where adultery and other sexual sins were rampant.

We often think of adultery as something rare… something extreme.
But as you have seen, studies show that a significant percentage of marriages are affected by it.
And that doesn’t even include what happens in the heart…”

Jesus Expands the Command to the Heart

Jesus expanded this command in Matthew 5:27-30, indicating that lustful thoughts in the heart are equivalent to committing adultery. Let’s look at Jesus’ expansion of the Father’s Command, Matthew 5:27-28 NKJV

  1. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
  2. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

My friends, it’s all about the heart! When an individual fantasizes and lusts after a person other than his or her spouse, allows their mind and heart to be set upon another person, that is adultery—the same as the physical act itself. Now remember that every sin begins with a thought.

Today’s culture engages this behavior. Let’s take a look:

Pew Research Center

Social media and messaging apps have made:

  • Emotional affairs easier
  • Secret communication more accessible

A large percentage of affairs today:

  • Begin online
  • Start as “harmless” conversations

Social media, if allowed, can be another tool for Satan to use to interfere in the harmony of a marriage.

Adultery corrupts God’s design for marriage, diverting sexual fulfillment away from monogamous, heterosexual unions. It undermines marriages and families, which are foundational to society. Ultimately, God’s law and the seventh commandment set the standard for Christian behavior.

Therefore, we should steer clear of anything that could provoke lust, including suggestive music, explicit movies, pornography, and immodest clothing (1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3, Romans 1:32).

However, our current culture largely rejects this guidance.

🧠 Cultural Perception

  • Many people today:
    • Do not view pornography as adultery
    • Do not consider emotional attachment outside marriage as wrong
  • Yet both clearly are in opposition with:
    • The Biblical definition of adultery at the heart level

Is our society grappling with a significant moral decline? Many thoughtful individuals would argue that immorality is indeed a pressing issue today. Why is this a cause for concern? Because it endangers the family—the very bedrock of our society and civilization. The family is where essential values like trust, loyalty, and love are instilled. If we cannot rely on family loyalty, how can we expect individuals to be committed to their nation, society, or civilization?

Immorality erodes the family unit, leading to pain, suffering, shame, and a breakdown of trust. It fosters attitudes of selfishness and irresponsibility, undermining the very fabric that holds our communities together. This is precisely why we are given moral guidelines: to safeguard our well-being and cultivate the virtues necessary for peace, love, and trust in our lives. This vital subject deserves our attention and commitment.

Marriage, Covenant, and the Seriousness of Unfaithfulness

Adultery is not something God treats lightly.  Just to bring home how serious it is, just think about this. God hates divorce! Let’s look at what He said through His prophet Malachi in Malachi 2:13-16 NKJV:

13.And this is the second thing you do: You cover the altar of the Lord with tears,

With weeping and crying; So He does not regard the offering anymore, Nor receive it with goodwill from your hands.

  1. Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the Lord has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.
  2. But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.
  3. “For the Lord God of Israel says THAT HE HATES DIVORCE, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the Lord of hosts.

Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.”

Divorce during this era was predominantly initiated by men, who too often betrayed their wives and disregarded the sacred vows made before God. This not only undermined the divine purpose of nurturing godly children who love the Lord but also negated the profound symbolism of marriage as a reflection of the relationship between God and His people.

As emphasized in verses 15 and 16, “Guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth,” it calls for a commitment to marriage that mirrors God’s unwavering dedication to His promises. Our love and devotion must be devoted solely to our spouse, honoring the sanctity of that bond.

The Scripture says, “For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce.” Because divorce was never to be. Let’s look at what Jesus said in Matthew 19:3-8:

  1. The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
  2. And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’
  3. and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
  4. So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
  5. They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”
  6. He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, BUT FROM THE BEGINNING IT WAS NOT SO.

What is Divorce Adultery According to the Bible?

Jesus said: “But from the beginning it was not so”

Now, in the times of both Moses and Jesus, marriage did not reflect God’s original intent for permanence. Jesus explained that Moses allowed divorce because of human stubbornness, but these laws aimed to protect vulnerable women. Requiring a formal letter of dismissal made men reconsider divorce and marked progress in civil rights. God intended marriage to be lasting, and couples are encouraged to focus on maintaining their relationship rather than seeking reasons to separate.

Now, to further address the seriousness of adultery, let’s look further at what Jesus had to say in verse 9:

  1. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, EXCEPT FOR SEXUAL IMMORALITY, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

Therefore, a man could not then and cannot today divorce his wife for just any reason. Jesus makes this very clear. In God’s eyes, the only justification for divorce is sexual immorality, specifically adultery.

Just to be clear, Adultery is the violation of the marriage covenant through sexual unfaithfulness, while sexual immorality is the broader category of all unlawful sexual behavior that includes adultery.

A divorce based on any other grounds falls outside God’s intended design for marriage. Further, a remarriage resulting from a divorce on any grounds other than sexual immorality—adultery—is an adulterous union. So to think about divorcing a spouse for any reason other than adultery, one had better think again! This applies to women seeking to divorce their husbands as well.

This is how serious an offense adultery is! Because of it, God made it an exception—to a covenant!

God’s eyes, there’s no such thing as Irreconcilable differences. God says: work them out! This used to be the ethic once upon a time; wedding vows were taken seriously.

But not today! Couples are getting divorced at the drop of a hat—including Christian couples! Now, I’m guilty of this—I’ve been married and divorced—before I was a Christian—before I knew better. I’ve done a few things in my life, thought a different way—before I knew better.

But listen, when we know better, we have to do better. This is highlighted in the Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 13:11 NKJV

Paul wrote:

  1.  When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Paul said, “But when I became a man, I put away childish things”!

But Christians are ignoring the teachings of Christ on this matter—including Pastors and other church leaders!

As Christians, we cannot claim to follow Christ while ignoring His teachings on marriage and faithfulness. Remember, Jesus was very tough on hypocrites. So, it’s time for us to put away childish things and grow up!

Consequences of Breaking the Commandment

The biblical pattern in this article moves from definition to heart-level intent, and then to consequences. The passages below show what adultery damages spiritually, relationally, and practically.

It’s essential to recognize that no sin occurs in a vacuum; the actions of one person can ripple through the lives of many. This is especially true with adultery, which represents a profound betrayal. It is a serious violation against God, oneself, and countless others. Those who commit adultery will encounter severe judgment—both in this life and beyond. This should lead anyone contemplating this choice to seriously consider whether the temporary thrill is worth the serious and lasting damage it can inflict on their life and the lives of others.

So, for starters:

Those who engage in adultery and refuse to turn away from their actions (repent) will ultimately lose their chance at eternal life; they will not enter the kingdom of God.

I Corinthians 6:9 NKJV:

  1. Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor ADULTERERS, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

Next, the individual who commits adultery (sexual immorality) and never repents will eventually die in their sin and face the severe judgment of God.

Hebrews 13:4 NKJV

  1. Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Moving on:

The individual who commits adultery and never repents injures and devastates people and devastates the unity of a family.

2 Samuel 12:9-15: NKJV

The setting of this passage is God handing down judgment to David through the prophet Nathan because of his adulterous affair with Bathsheba:

  1. Why have you despised THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD, [we know what Command that is—in fact he broke two commandments the 6th & 7th ones] to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.
  2. Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’
  3. Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
  4. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.’ ”
  5. So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
  6. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”
  7. Then Nathan departed to his house.

Now there are four things—takeaways to gleam from this passage.

First, the Lord knows everything that we do. Omniscient—all-knowing.

Our sins may affect others, but they are primarily against God. This is what makes sin so truly evil. While sinning against a person is bad, sinning against God is far worse. Sin cannot be hidden. The lie that Satan tells is that you can sin without anyone knowing. But nothing could be further from the truth! But the reality is quite the opposite.

Numbers 32:23 NIV

  1. “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

In other words, if we fail to do the Lord’s will, we are sinning against Him—He’s watching, and we can be sure that our sin will be exposed.

So, I may not know what you’re doing, and your neighbor may not know what you’re doing, but God knows exactly what you’re doing—the good and the bad (we see this in verse 12), and the suitable consequences will prevail.

David went on with life with Bathsheba as though nothing had occurred. But the fact of the matter is, David disobeyed the Commandment of the Lord, and God called him on it.

Second, we see in verses 10 and 11 that this sin didn’t affect only him but also his whole house. His own house will rise up against him. Also, as he took Uriah’s wife in secret, God took David’s wives and gave them to his neighbor before “all Israel.” And the resulting child from his and Bathsheba’s union—died.

Third, in verse 13 we have David’s confession and God’s mercy. The prophet told him, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.” And we know that David repented from the well-known Psalm 51, a true, heartfelt confession.

But look at what the prophet said in verse 14. However, because by this ….the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”

You see, David was forgiven for the grievous sins that he committed. But he still had to pay the consequences.

Listen, think not that we can sin, be forgiven, and not pay consequences! It just doesn’t work that way. Sin has consequences—period—full stop! Not just for ourselves, but for others as well.

Lastly, we see that God is not a respecter of persons(Acts 10:34). David was a true servant of God. Let’s look at the relationship between God and David.

Acts 13:20-23 NKJV

This is a segment of Paul’s preaching in Antioch, addressing Jerusalem’s historical events:

  1. “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
  2. And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
  3. And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’
  4. From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—

God chose David because he was a man after God’s heart to do His will. Through who’s seed would raise a Savior to the world. God and David were tight.

And yet, when he broke God’s Commandment, he suffered the consequences.

Think not that we can get on God’s good side and get away with disobedience and sin! [e.g., Moses,]

Listen, we must obey the Commandments of God.

Obedience is the key, not to be saved, but because we are saved.

Blessings of Obedience

Well, for starters, an individual who is committed to sexual faithfulness and places their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior will enjoy a transformative life cleansed, set apart, and justified by the grace of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:9, 11 NKJV

  1. Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
  2. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Next, an individual with a pure heart is steadfastly sexually faithful and will undeniably see God.

Matthew 5:8 NKJV

  1. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

A person who remains sexually faithful will emerge victorious in the internal battle within their soul.

1 Peter 2:11NKJV:

  1. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

Lastly, an individual who knows God and remains sexually faithful will have a thriving family.

Psalm 128:3 NKJV

  1. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.

There are other blessings, but I’ll stop here. The point is: obedience equals blessings. For those who have fallen short of this Commandment, I pray that you follow the example of David and repent. Let’s look at what he wrote in Psalm 51:1-4, 10 NKJV

Restoration Through Repentance

  1. Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
  2. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
  3. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
  4. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.
  5. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

David made no excuses. This illustrates David’s brokenness and his desire to be restored.

May we maintain the same approach for our sins.

We must keep the Commandments of God: “Do not commit Adultery.”

“The commandment says, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But Jesus shows us—it begins in the heart.

So, the real question is not just what we do……but in our hearts, who we are before God.”

Conclusion

The commandment forbids more than a physical act; as Jesus teaches, it also exposes the condition of the heart. The article’s central call is therefore not only to avoid outward unfaithfulness but to pursue inward purity, repentance, and covenant faithfulness before God.

Amen!

Questions, Comments, and concerns may be left below.

Blessings!

Watch the full video teaching and the companion Short below.

Videos 👉

 

 

📖 Continue Through the Ten Commandments Series

Thou Shalt Not Kill? What Does It Really Mean?

Thou Shalt Not Kill? What Does It Really Mean? When the Bible says, “Do not kill,” does that mean all killing is sinful? This question has led many to believe that the Bible contradicts itself when examined alongside the events of the Old Testament.

I want to begin by taking a minute to address the state of the world as we know it today.

Across the globe, murder, lawlessness, and violence are on the rise. Each year, hundreds of thousands of individuals fall victim to heinous acts, resulting in widespread suffering. In certain societies, the sanctity of human life seems to hold little value.

Throughout history, various societies have often reduced the value of human beings, including young children, to mere property or laborers serving the interests of the ruling class and the wealthy.

Moreover, it is concerning how prevalent depictions of violence and lawlessness have become in films and other media, frequently exposed even to young audiences. This constant exposure can leave a lasting impact on the human psyche, potentially leading to significant consequences.

As a result, many people may find themselves desensitized to violence and crime. Headlines and reports often focus on horrific events, and many forms of entertainment—such as television, movies, video games, music, and literature—often center around themes of lawlessness, violence, and immorality. This can contribute to a societal perception that devalues life.

It’s worth reflecting on how much daily life is saturated with these images and narratives. For many, this bombardment of violent content through various media can complicate our understanding of human life and morality.

👉 The Ten Commandments Series

Part 1: No Other Gods
Part 2: No Idols
Part 3: Do Not Take His Name in Vain
Part 4: The Sabbath
Part 5: Honor Your Father and Mother
Part 6: Thou Shalt Not Kill (Current Article)

The Sixth Commandment — What Does It Say?

When we look at the condition of the world today, does it not make perfect sense why God gave the sixth Commandment?

Let’s look at what it is in Exodus 20:13 NKJV

  1. You shall not murder.

As indicated in the introduction, the world has moved far—far away from this Commandment.

So, let’s take a good look at this Commandment and see what it’s really all about.

Does the Bible Contradict Itself? Thou shalt not kill

First, different Bible translations can create misunderstandings about its meaning. One common misunderstanding is that the Bible contradicts itself, and it is based on the following question:

How can the Bible state “Thou shalt not kill” (KJV), with all of the killing that took place in the Old Testament? That is a reasonable observation and question.

The Difference Between Murder and Killing

The fact is, different Bible translations can create misunderstandings about this verse and the meaning of the Commandment, deeming it necessary to look below the surface.

The Hebrew word in the original text is [Rat-sakh], which is murder. Murder is the unlawful termination of an individual’s life by another individual. Especially with premeditated malice or hatred. This is the true meaning of the Commandment.

The Hebrew word for to kill is [harag], which is generally used for the putting away of animals, including sacrificially, and for ruthless, personal violence of man against man—war. This is not the word used in this Commandment. That is why most modern translations (i.e., The New King James Translation above) render the sixth commandment “You shall not murder” rather than “You shall not kill.”

Therefore, a very large issue can arise depending on which translation an individual studies.

Just think, if the intended meaning of “Thou shalt not kill” meant—no killing at all—it would include the totality of the God-endorsed conflicts implemented by the nation of Israel, a violation of God’s own commandment. But understand that God does not break His commandments; therefore, the verse does not demand a total ban on taking human life.

When Is Killing Permissible in Scripture?

This commandment does not prohibit all killing. The Bible indicates that taking a life is permissible in certain situations; let’s look at these in Scripture:

– As capital punishment

Genesis 9:6 NKJV

  1. Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.

– During a justified war

1 Samuel 15:3 NKJV

This is God’s instructions to King Saul through the prophet Samuel:

  1. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”

– In cases of adultery, which was meant to protect the family unit, is crucial for society’s stability.

Leviticus 20:10 NKJV

  1. ‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.

– In self-defense, such as when a thief breaks into a home

Exodus 22:2 NKJV

  1. If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed.

In cases of accidental killing

Deuteronomy 19:4-5 NKJV

4.Whoever kills his neighbor unintentionally, not having hated him in time past—

  1. as when a man goes to the woods with his neighbor to cut timber, and his hand swings a stroke with the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies—he shall flee to one of these cities and live;

Lastly, For killing animals for food

Genesis 9:3 NKJV

  1. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs.

So we must understand that there is a Biblical difference between justified killing and murder, the unlawful, intentional homicide. In the same way, most nations’ laws distinguish between these acts. Accordingly, the Ten Commandments forbid murder specifically, but not all forms of killing.

This is why, when disputes arise regarding Scripture, it’s necessary to examine the original texts (Greek & Hebrew) to determine more clearly what the author was expressing.

How Far Has Society Drifted?

Now that we know the difference between murder and killing, and it is clear what this Commandment commands, let’s look at how far we are from this Commandment, and how much it matters.

Every single day in America, over 50 people are murdered. Around the world, that number exceeds 1,200 per day. The fact is, human life has become cheap in society’s eyes. Let’s look at some statistics.

U.S. Murder / Homicide Statistics

Annual U.S. Homicides

  • According to the CDC, roughly 20,000–23,000 people are murdered each year in the United States, depending on the year measured.
  • The most recent CDC data lists 20,162 homicide deaths in 2024.

U.S. Homicide Rate

  • The current U.S. homicide rate is approximately 5.9 per 100,000 people.
  • That remains well above many other developed nations.

Daily Equivalent

  • That averages to approximately:
    • 55 murders per day
    • More than 2 murders every hour

Worldwide Murder Statistics

Global Annual Murders

  • According to United Nations homicide data, the world sees approximately 450,000–470,000 intentional homicides per year.
  • Latest UN estimates place the number around 458,000+ annually.

Daily / Hourly Equivalent

  • That equals approximately:
    • 1,250 murders per day worldwide
    • 52 murders every hour globally

These are concerning statistics! How did we get here?

Well, as mentioned in the introduction, we have become desensitized to murder. It no longer shocks or causes sorrow to hear about it. We have lost our sense of self-control, which causes us to sin. We are encouraged to rein this in. As the Bible states in Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry, and do not sin.”

This commandment is broken either by a planned murderous attack upon a person(s) or by a rash, reckless attack. This commandment forbids the taking of a life because a person is—let’s look at these behaviors

  • angry
  • bitter
  • violent
  • uncontrolled
  • passionate
  • vengeful
  • selfish
  • stealing
  • lusting
  • coveting
  • rebelling

Within this list is the breaking of another commandment, which will be covered later in this series.

Murder is always wrong, no matter the reasons behind it. This belief is crucial for the safety of our community and society. We cannot allow lawlessness and violence to thrive. We must uphold God’s Holy Word: murder driven by anger, robbery, or violence should always be condemned and punished.

The Heart Behind Murder

Furthermore, there are other acts just as unacceptable as directly killing someone physically.

There are those who, while not taking life by their own hand, show reckless or intentional disregard for human life and become morally complicit in its destruction. Many people around the world engage in such acts. For example, people are being pushed to work in unsafe conditions that can injure or kill them. They’re forced to live in terrible environments that lack basic necessities, leading to premature death. Additionally, individuals are being sold drugs that enslave them and ultimately lead to their demise.

Jesus Expands the Commandment

Further, Jesus expanded the commandment against killing to include not just the physical act itself, but also the anger and wrongful motives that can lead someone to murder.

Matthew 5:21-22 NKJV

  1. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’
  2. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

Calling another “Raca,” which is a transliteration of an Aramaic term implying “empty-headed,” is an insult.

Saying “you fool” to a person is another insult. Fool is a translation of the Aramaic word Mōre, which is most likely a case form of the Greek word mōros (the origin of the English word moron), implying a person who regularly acts like an idiot.

To treat a person with such contempt was to strip away their personal identity and wrongly make him or her into something he or she was not.

Jesus said this behavior subjects one to “Judgment” and “in danger of hell fire.”

You see, we can murder an individual with our tongues.

Murder is more than a physical act; it’s rooted in internal feelings such as anger, bitterness, and enmity. It stems from an uncontrolled spirit and inner turmoil. Anger is the foundational sin that violates God’s law. It encompasses negative mindsets, such as:

– Bitterness and enmity

– Indignation and wrath

– Striking out at others

– Disappointment or self-hatred

– Rage and fury

– Lack of self-control

– Desire to harm others

– Envy and resentment towards others’ happiness

– Slander and attempts to ruin another’s reputation. This is wrong especially since everyone is created in God’s image.

To God, murder is not just physical in nature but also the condition of one’s heart towards another.

So to observe what the Scripture says in Ephesians 4:26-27 NKJV

  1. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
  2. nor give place to the devil.

Now, understand that there is justified anger. Justified anger is essential for believers; they should be angry at those who sin, act unjustly, or behave selfishly. However, this anger must be disciplined and controlled, focusing only on wrongdoing against God or others. The key difference between justified and unjustified anger is that justified anger is not selfish and doesn’t arise from personal grievances. It serves a purpose: to address the situation peacefully and constructively.

Romans 12:18-19 NKJV

  1. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
  2. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

If only we could live by this verse alone! To live peaceably with all men!

Modern Violations of the Commandment

Now, thus far, we’ve looked at murder from the perspective of individual against individual. But there is another form of murder that has become highly acceptable in the societies of the world—Abortion.

Abortion, which involves ending the lives of unborn babies, has long been a significant moral failure of humanity. The sanctity of life is consistently under threat.

According to the CDC, over 20,000 people are murdered in America each year…
But over one million unborn children are aborted in America annually.
Worldwide, that number rises to roughly 73 million.

Unfortunately, public opinion often contradicts the fundamental commandment, “You shall not murder,” when it comes to abortion.

I won’t further address that topic here. However, there is a full article on this website that addresses it. Here is the link.

Another form of murder that doesn’t involve person-to-person involvement is suicide. Suicide is the termination of one’s own life,

Suicide is perceived differently across various cultures and beliefs. For instance:

– Some may wonder if a Christian can take their own life due to extreme despair.

– Others question if someone can be seen as noble for committing suicide in the name of a cause or country, like the Japanese kamikaze pilots in World War II. 4970

Regardless of circumstances, suicide as a way to escape life’s struggles is a grave mistake. It occurs all too frequently but is never a solution. Every human life reflects God’s image, and no one should end their own life. Here are three compelling reasons to avoid suicide:

  1. God forbids murder, and suicide is self-murder.
  2. It destroys the image of God within us.
  3. Jesus Christ loves us and provides the strength to face and overcome our challenges.

Hebrews 2:18 confirms this:

  1. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

The Consequences of Murder

The Commandment is, “You shall not murder.” These four words have behind them the eternal force of God, who is the Author of life. Human life is sanctified. The sacredness of life has and always will remain unmoved in the eyes of God. Individuals who break this commandment will face the Righteous Judge who will hold them completely accountable for murder. No murderer can escape these terrible consequences. So, let’s address some of these consequences, and then we’ll look at the blessings of obedience to this command.

First, the individual who murders another will suffer the wrath of God.

Romans 1:18, 29 NKJV

  1. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
  2. being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, MURDER, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,

Next, the individual who murders another will be judged and will not inherit the kingdom of God. They will not inherit eternal life.

1 John 3:15 NKJV

  1. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

And next, the individual who murders another is to face civil court, sentencing, imprisonment, the death penalty, or some other form of retribution.

Leviticus 24:17 NKJV

  1. ‘Whoever kills any man shall surely be put to death.

Lastly, the individual who murders another confirms that he is defiled and has an evil heart.

Matthew 15:19–20 NKJV

  1. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, MURDERS, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
  2. These are the things which defile a man…

The Blessings of Obedience

To address obedience to the Command: On the other hand, obedience yields blessings.

The individual who obeys this commandment and does not murder another person has decided to value life.

The contrast is stark between a culture that allows or executes the innocent and helpless, and a culture that honors and protects the sacredness of human life.

Those who really love, defend, and protect life benefit an entire community, nation, and world.

So, what are the benefits when God’s people speak out against murder?

What are the benefits to Christian believers who respect the sanctity of life?

Well, first, an individual who honors the Lord and values life will avoid killing and live by the Spirit, showing its qualities.

Let’s look at what the fruit of the Spirit is: Galatians 5:22-25 NKJV 

  1. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
  2. gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
  3. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
  4. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Next, the individual who follows God and respects the sanctity of life will have a sacrificial love for his brother.

1 John 3:14-16 NKJV

  1. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
  2. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
  3. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Those who embrace God’s salvation and value life will feel a genuine urgency, stay alert to the times, maintain a clear perspective, and recognize the fragility of life, as addressed in God’s Word.

James 4:14 NKJV

  1. whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

Lastly, the individual who truly respects the sacredness of life will understand that the only way to save his life is to give it away to Christ.

Matthew 16:25-26 NKJV

  1. 25. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
  2. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

A Call to Repentance

Anyone who has murdered another human being, either physically or spiritually in their heart, must repent. If you have violated this commandment—whether by your hands or by hatred in your heart—repent.

Christ still offers mercy to all who come to Him.

Jesus is ever knocking on our doors for us to let Him in and save us.

As Jesus said in Revelation 3:19-21 NKJV.

  1. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
  2. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
  3. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

My friends, we must respect the life that God has created, ours and that of others. We must obey the sixth Commandment, “You shall not murder.”

Amen!

Questions, comments, and concerns may be left below.

Blessings!

👉 Videos

Watch the full video presentation

Short on time? Watch the Short!

👉 The Ten Commandments Series

Explore the full Ten Commandments series below:

Part 1: No Other Gods
Part 2: No Idols
Part 3: Do Not Take His Name in Vain
Part 4: The Sabbath
Part 5: Honor Your Father and Mother
Part 6: Thou Shalt Not Kill (Current Article)

 

The Fifth Commandment: Honor Your Father and Mother.

The Fifth Commandment: Honor Your Father and Mother is one of the most well-known instructions in the Bible, yet it is often misunderstood. What does it truly mean to honor your parents, and how should this commandment be applied in today’s world? In this article, we will explore the biblical meaning behind this command and why it still matters.

In the previous article, we explored the Fourth Commandment and our responsibility to honor God through the Sabbath. Now, we move into the next section of the Ten Commandments, where God shifts our focus to our relationships with others—beginning with the family.

Did you know…that one of the greatest problems in society today can be traced back to one thing…to a breakdown in the family? How can we prevent this?

Today, we continue our series on the Ten Commandments…and we come to the fifth commandment: Honor Your Father and Your Mother.

👉 Continue through the Ten Commandments series:

👉 Part 4: The Fourth Commandment – The Sabbath
👉 Part 5: The Fifth Commandment – Honor Your Father and Mother
👉 Part 6: The Sixth Commandment – You Shall Not Murder

What is the Fifth Commandment?

Let’s take a look at this Commandment in Scripture: Exodus 20:12 NKJV

12.“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

The family is fundamental to humanity. The family was the first institution formed upon earth. God created Adam and Eve, the first man and the first woman, and they became man and wife. Consequently, Eve bore a son. Therefore, the first family became the key institution, forming the basis for all subsequent human life and development.

It is the family that shapes the community, society, and governments of the world. From the beginning, God designed men and women not to simply exist, but to establish families and raise the next generation. They must produce children, or else everything crucial to humanity would eventually stop existing:

⇒           Human life would end.

⇒           Human society would end.

⇒           Human government would end.

Why This Commandment Still Matters Today

The main idea is that each generation has a responsibility to support and strengthen families for both their own time and for the future. Ignoring this duty is unwise, as the well-being of society and civilization relies on strong families where parents and children respect one another. Therefore, it’s important to focus on building up our families and addressing harmful influences that can threaten them all.

As the Scripture says in Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

  1. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

So, we must, as the Scripture reads, “…lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.”  The sins such as:

  • selfishness
  • disrespect
  • disobedience
  • rebellion

God established the family’s prevalence and magnitude forever when He created the first man and the first woman. He reinforces the superiority of the family with this great commandment: “Honor your father and your mother.”

God commands us—all of us—to honor and respect our fathers and mothers.

Should the family unit crumble, many essential values that support personal well-being—such as honor, respect, concern, responsibility, decency, love, joy, and peace—may diminish. The erosion of these fundamental virtues can, in turn, weaken both the community and society at large.

Therefore, this Commandment is perpetual. It does not apply only to the Old Testament or the Jews. Therefore, as long as men, women, and children live on the earth, we are to honor and obey our parents.

Who Should We Honor After God?

How important is this Commandment? Well, take note that the first four Commandments addressed our duty to God. But once we have done our duty to God, notice that our very next duty is to honor our parents—right behind honoring God—that’s how important this duty is. This is divine order…

honor God first…

Honor parents next.

How Do We Honor Our Parents?

To understand this commandment, we must first understand what it means to honor.

The Hebrew word for honor (kabed) means that we are to respect, esteem, and have a high regard for our parents. The concept of honor includes reverence; we are to esteem and value our parents, showing respect, kindness, and obedience, as suggested by the Greek word timao. In practical terms, the commandment means we are to …

  • Respect and obey our parents
  • Accept their guidance and corrections
  • Consider their advice and concerns
  • Provide comfort to them

To honor means listening to our parents and never despising them when they are old.

It is important to recognize that mothers should be respected equally with fathers, and vice versa, as indicated by the directive: “honor your father and your mother.” Both parents are afforded equal status. According to the scripture, God honors and regards mothers and fathers alike, instructing children to show respect to each parent without distinction.

Moving on, this commandment highlights an important principle: learning through example. Children are taught to honor their parents by observing how their own parents honor theirs. The commandment applies to everyone, including adults who are both parents and children; it encourages them to continue showing respect to their parents. Parents should foster a home environment filled with respect and honor, thereby teaching their children by example. Ultimately, this commandment underscores the crucial role parents play in modeling proper behavior for their children.

Titus 2:7 NKJV

  1. in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility

Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

  1. Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Parents are responsible for teaching their children this commandment as well as others.

Does Honor Mean Obedience?

Why should children obey their parents?

Children should obey their parents because the Scriptures say so.

Ephesians 6:1-3 says:

  1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
  2. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3. “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

The phrase “in the Lord” explains why children should obey their parents. As it reads, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord,” means that obeying your parents is the right thing to do, it comes from God, and it pleases Him. So, when parents guide and teach them, they should listen.

Children are not told to obey parents because it pleases the parent, but because it pleases the Lord.

Notice the two promises made to children who honor their parents.

First, things will go well for the child. Does this mean that the child will never have problems or have to suffer? No! This is not what the Scripture means. God means that He will be with the child, strengthen and take care of him so that he can walk through the trials of life victoriously. The child will be strengthened and made strong where it counts—in the inner self. It will be enabled to conquer and be victorious over whatever confronts it as it journeys through life.

Second, the child is assured that it will live a long life on earth. Frankly, there is little question that Paul meant this and that we should take it at face value. If a child honestly obeys and honors its parents faithfully—really obeys and honors from the depths of its heart—God will give it a long life on earth.

Difficult Situations: When Honoring is Difficult

However, it is important to note that we must not follow in the steps of evil parents as some have done in the past. Although honoring parents is a fundamental obligation, this does not necessitate emulating parents whose actions are inconsistent with moral or ethical standards.

Ezekiel 20:18-19

  1. “But I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols.
  2. I am the Lord your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them;

What About Abused Children?

Children are to obey their parents. But what about the problems that are so repulsively evident in society: the problems of parental abuse, the problems of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and mental abuse? Is a child to obey a parent when the parent is so devilishly wrong? No!

A child’s obedience has its limits. If a parent acts in ways that do not honor the Lord, the child is not required to obey. The Lord does not support unrighteousness or the mistreatment of children. If a child can escape such harmful behavior, it has the right to do so. The Lord’s purpose is to free people from abuse and sin, not to keep them trapped in it, and certainly not to let children suffer under it.

Jesus gave one of the strongest warnings in history to adults who harm children:

Mark 9:42 NKJV

  1. “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

Any parent who abuses a child should take this seriously because God will not tolerate the abuse of a child. We must share what the Bible says: children should obey their parents, but only if their parents’ wishes and instructions align with the Lord’s will.

God’s Order: Honor God First, Parents Next

If a parent ever instructs a child to do something that clearly contradicts God’s commands, that child must obey God rather than his/her parents.

Further, if a child is able to escape the harmful influence and mistreatment of its parents, it deserves the right to be separated from them. The child should go to another adult they feel close to and ask for help.

Let’s look at what it reads in Acts 5:29 NKJV

  1. But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

Honoring Parents as Adults

Now, understand that Scripture does not address only children of a certain age. Instead, it speaks to everyone who still has living parents. We are called to honor our fathers and mothers, to see them as precious, and to show them respect and reverence. Sadly, this attitude is becoming less common. Too often, children respond to their parents in ways such as:

  • talking back
  • cutting the parent
  • ignoring the parent
  • grumbling
  • speaking disrespectfully
  • not listening
  • acting like a know-it-all
  • calling the parent a cute but disrespectful name
  • disregarding instructions
  • putting off instructions

In addition to these, there is the dishonor of delinquency, crime, drugs, alcohol, and the abuse of property, and the list could go on and on. And when it comes to adult children with aged parents, there is the dishonor of neglect, the ignoring of their needs, and the shuffling of them to the side and failing to adequately care for them.

Too many adult children forget how much their parents have done for them—bringing them into the world and caring for them for years. Too many children forget the rich experience and knowledge their parents have gained over the years, which could be put to great use in meeting community and world needs. And even if the parents failed to be and to do all they should have, we as Christian children are instructed to honor them as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Consequences of Disobedience

So, what are the consequences of disobedience?

This commandment is presented positively as an invitation from God to obey. Obedience is met with promised blessings, while disobedience results in serious consequences.

An individual who consistently fails to honor their parents risks jeopardizing their eternal destiny. According to Scripture, those characterized by sinful actions will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Romans 1:28-32 reads:

  1. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
  2. being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
  3. backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS,
  4. undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
  5. who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are DESERVING OF DEATH, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Disregarding and disobeying parents is deserving of death. This is not a small matter!

Practical Ways to Honor Your Parents

What does this commandment ask of us? Simply this—obedience.

The point is simply this: the law of obedience is part of the very nature of things. It lies at the heart of the universe and shapes how people live and act on Earth.

Many of the world’s problems, maybe even most, could be solved if people followed the fifth commandment. This commandment is clear and positive: we are to honor our fathers and mothers.

Let’s look at what Scripture teaches and the choices this commandment calls for:

We should honor our parents because it is one of God’s Ten Commandments.

We should honor our parents because it is simply the right thing to do.

Honoring our parents can lead to a longer life and a happier home, instead of one filled with tension. This is how:

We should show our parents respect and reverence.

We are called to obey our parents in the Lord.

We should hold on to and follow the teachings our parents give us.

We should pay attention to the Christian example our parents set for us.

We are to obey our parents even after we become adults.

We should care for our parents as they grow older.

That sums up the fifth Commandment!

Final Thoughts

Bottom line:

As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:19 NKJV

  1. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

You see, it’s not about ceremony; that was important at one time. But what is really important today is keeping the Commandments of God. All of them! And that is what really matters.

We must obey the Fifth Commandment!

Amen!

Questions, comments, and concerns may be left below.

Blessings!

👉 Videos

For a visual presentation, watch the full video below.

If you’re tight on time, watch the Short.

Continue through the Ten Commandments series below:

👉 Part 1: The First Commandment – No Other Gods
👉 Part 2: The Second Commandment – No Idols
👉 Part 3: The Third Commandment – Do Not Take His Name in Vain
👉 Part 4: The Fourth Commandment – The Sabbath
👉 Part 5: The Fifth Commandment – Honor Your Father and Mother
👉 Part 6: The Sixth Commandment – You Shall Not Murder

 

 

 

The Ten Commandments (Part 4): The Sabbath (Saturday or Sunday?)

The Sabbath Saturday or Sunday question is one many Christians are asking today: Are we worshipping God according to His command, or according to tradition?

Did you know that most Christians today are worshipping on a day the Bible never commanded?

The Sabbath: Saturday or Sunday?

Is the Sabbath Saturday—or Sunday? Does it really matter?

## 📖 The Ten Commandments Series

– Part 1: No Other Gods

– Part 2: No Idols

– Part 3: The Meaning of God’s Name in Vain

– Part 4: The Truth About the Sabbath (Saturday or Sunday?) (current)

Today, we continue with the series on the Ten Commandments as we look at the fourth Commandment. The title of this presentation is, The Ten Commandments Part 4: The truth about the Sabbath (Saturday or Sunday?)

The Fourth Commandment

So, let us first look at this fourth Commandment, found in Exodus 20:8-11 NKJV  

8.“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

  1. Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
  2. but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.
  3. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

What Is the Sabbath?

The Commandment begins by stating, “Remember the Sabbath day…” So let’s begin by addressing what the Sabbath day is.

The Hebrew word translated as Sabbath is shabbath, which means “rest.” Another accurate translation is “ceasing [from work].

The Origin of the Sabbath

Its origin goes back to creation when God rested upon its completion. Let’s take a look at that account in Genesis 2:1-3 NKJV

  1. Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished.
  2. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
  3. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

This is the origin of the Sabbath rest. It is the celebration of God’s creation. Additionally, with the advent of Christ to save mankind from his sins, it is also a celebration of our salvation.

This connects directly to what we saw in Part 1: No Other Gods and Part 2: No Idols, where God established that He alone defines how He is to be worshiped.

God’s Command further states: “to keep it holy.” That means keeping it as a day consecrated, sanctified, and dedicated to God. The Sabbath day is intended for rest, offering renewal for both body and spirit. We experience physical rest by taking a break from work, while spiritual rest is achieved through worship that rejuvenates the soul.

Moving on, the verse states, “six days you shall labor and do all your work.” Now this is based on the fact that, as the Scripture reads, “six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth … and rested the seventh day.”

We also see that this includes everybody: father, son, daughter, male servant, female servant, the stranger/visitor, and even the cattle. Everything and everybody is to honor the Sabbath. It is the fourth of the Ten Commandments.

Has the Sabbath Changed?

Now, how does this apply to today? Well, for starters, let me just say, we have swayed far, far away from this Commandment.

Today, roughly 90–95% of Christians worship on Sunday, the first day of the week. Yet surveys show that only about 70% of Christians actually treat Sunday as a day of rest. While many Christians attend church on Sunday, they do not treat it as a true Sabbath. They attend church, then go shopping at the mall, travel, and seek entertainment as they do on any other day. So, they worship on Sunday but do not consciously observe a “day of rest.”

This is in violation of the fourth Commandment. Only 1-3% of Christians observe the Saturday Sabbath. That is a true remnant!

Somewhere along the way, we stopped taking this Commandment seriously. Because this is one of the most overlooked Commandments today!

Why is this? Well, there are all kinds of doctrines and reasonings as to why, and we’re going to look at some of them today.

The Sabbath Saturday or Sunday debate is not new—it has been discussed for centuries.

Common Objection: The Sabbath Was Only for the Jews

The first: we are no longer under the Law: the Sabbath is for the Jews. Now that is grossly inaccurate! Contrary to common belief, this command was not exclusive to the Jews. The Sabbath existed even before it became part of the Ten Commandments—the Law. As we see in Genesis, it was established at the conclusion of creation. It predated sin.

Adam and Eve were not Jewish! But they were intended to be consecrated unto God, and God gave them the Law. But after they chose to sin by violating the Law, that was no longer the case. Fast forward, when God chose the nation of Israel to be His chosen—consecrated people, He gave them the Law—the Mosaic Law to keep them holy unto Him.

Now that takes care of the Old Testament. The Old Testament is basically the history of Israel. As the New Testament Scripture states in 1 Corinthians 10:11 NKJV

Early in the chapter, the Israelites’ trials and triumphs are addressed. In verse 11 it reads:

  1. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition (warning), upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

The Old Testament is the foundation and was provided to give us warnings not to follow the footsteps of the forefathers. The question is, are we heeding the warnings?

Now moving to the New Testament, this is where the Scripture twisting comes into play.

But first, let me say this: there is not one Scripture in the New Testament declaring the cessation of keeping the seventh-day Sabbath—not one!

But let’s look at some objections and the Scriptures cited.

First, many focus on Scriptures that mention “the first day of the week.” The proponents of this focus are that the Sabbath changed from Saturday to Sunday because Jesus was resurrected on Sunday, the first day of the week.

Does the New Testament Change the Sabbath?

John 20:1 NKJV

  1. Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

John 20:19 NKJV

  1. Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

While Scripture confirms that Jesus appeared on the first day of the week, it nowhere confirms that Jesus ended the Sabbath to celebrate His resurrection.

Let’s look at what He did say regarding the Sabbath. Luke 6:5 NKJV

  1. And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Here, Jesus sanctioned the Sabbath and declared His authority over it, putting the Pharisees in their place. He was the Son of Man, and He was the Lord of the Sabbath. He did not change the day of the Sabbath, nor did he cancel it.

Mark 2:27 NKJV

  1. And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

Here again, Jesus asserted His authority over the Sabbath. There is no sign of Christ abolishing the Sabbath. Also, notice that He said, “The sabbath was made for MAN,” not the Jews.

Now, back to those who focus on gatherings on the first day of the week. Let’s continue to look at the Scriptures they focus on. Acts 20:7 NKJV

  1. Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

If Paul’s gathering with the disciples at Troas started on the evening of the first day of the week (after Saturday sunset), it likely continued throughout the night into Sunday morning. The worship activity happened late Saturday night, making Sunday Paul’s travel day (see v. 13). This passage does not provide evidence for regular worship services occurring on Sundays or any other specific day. It also does not describe the first day of the week as sacred time, nor does it suggest that such a meeting should recur every Sunday.

1 Corinthians 16:2 NKJV

  1. On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

This passage does not mandate or imply the holding of a religious service. The text suggests no assembly; instead, it states, “let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper.” There is no mention of prayer, singing, or preaching, nor any indication that Paul’s instructions were to be carried out within a meeting or worship context. Additionally, Paul’s instruction—“that there be no collections when I come”—does not establish a precedent for activities typically associated with regular gatherings.

A straightforward reading of Paul’s directions indicates that he intended for individual believers to set aside their contributions in advance of his arrival, with his instructions being fulfilled once these gifts were delivered to Jerusalem.

Now these Scriptures have nothing to do with worship. Upon examining these texts, it becomes clear that there is no scriptural basis for the idea that Sunday has replaced the Sabbath as the Bible’s designated day of rest and worship. In fact, the references to the “first day” simply note when events occurred, without assigning them any specific theological importance.

Sabbath Observance in the Early Church

New Testament Scripture clearly indicates that the Sabbath was recognized and celebrated in the early church. Let’s look at some Scripture, Acts 13:13-16 NKJV

  1. Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.
  2. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.
  3.  And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
  4. Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: And Paul began to address the congregation.

Acts 17:1-4 NKJV

  1. Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
  2. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
  3. explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
  4. And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.

Acts 18:1-4 NKJV

1.After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.

  1. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
  2. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
  3. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

Take notice that these passages address worship. Paul ministered to both Jews and Greeks—Jews and Gentiles. And he did it on the Sabbath.

Were going to look at one more in Acts 13:42 NKJV

  1.  So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

Now this scene takes place at the close of worship on the sabbath. The gospel that Paul preached was so powerful that the Gentiles begged to hear more on the next SABBATH.

It doesn’t appear that the Sabbath was for Jews only.

Misunderstanding Hebrews 4

Moving on, there are those who say, Jesus is our Sabbath rest, and there’s no need to keep the seventh-day Sabbath under the Law. They use Hebrews 4:9-11 NKJV

9 .There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.

  1. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
  2. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

Hebrews 4 is a meaty chapter. But let me just say, this passage, verses 9-11, has nothing to do with the Sabbath day.

So, what is this “rest” of which the writer of Hebrews speaks, which should be an object of concern for the Christian community? The “rest” is something a Christian believer enters (and thus experiences) now, but this rest in its fullness remains a promised destination for the future. The Scripture says in verse 9, “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.”  In this context, the Sabbath is a new-covenant Day of Atonement, in which God’s people are cleansed from their sins.

This rest does not replace the seventh-day Sabbath rest.

Jesus offers the ultimate source for true rest, for true rest is found only in a right relationship with God. The rest is His rest, for His people, found by obeying His word.

In the wake of a culture leaving the fragmented, fragile, and fatigued in its wake, the church has a phenomenal opportunity to point people to the ultimate land of promise and spiritual well-being.

In summary, what does the writer of Hebrews mean by “rest,” and why should it matter to Christians? This ‘rest’ is both present and future… found in relationship with God through Christ.

As Jesus said in Matthew 11:28

  1. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus is the source of genuine rest, which comes only from being in right relationship with God.

1 John 3:24 NLT

  1. Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

We maintain our relationship with God by keeping His Commandments—all of them. Does that mean omitting the 4th one? Hardly!

My friends, this is about salvation in Christ. It has nothing to do with keeping the seventh “day Sabbath. This does not remove the obligation to keep the Sabbath.

Understanding Colossians 2:16

There are many more examples of Scripture twisting regarding the Sabbath. But to address one more, the Scripture used for this one is Colossians 2:16 NKJV

  1. So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,

First of all, notice that it reads “sabbaths” (plural), not the Sabbath.

Some  religious festivals and celebrations required a sabbath from a day of work. Paul’s point was not to judge anyone by the festival or sabbath days that they recognized in that regard. He was not referring to the Seventh-day Sabbath. Why would he? After all, we saw earlier (in Scripture) that he participated in worship in the synagogues on the sabbath!

My friends, we must stop compromising the Commandments of God!

It’s time to stop monkeying around with what God has made clear.”

The Commandment says:

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.   Six days you shall labor and do all your work,  but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.

How Sunday Worship Began

So why do most Christians today honor the first day instead of the seventh?

Now to fully answer that question requires a separate—full article of its own. But this is the condensed version

It goes all the way back to the first century A.D. and a Roman Emperor named Constantine.

In 330 A.D., Constantine relocated his capital from Rome to Constantinople.  This is now modern-day Istanbul, Turkey, thereby paving the way for the Roman Catholic Popes to hold power in Rome as his successors.

“In 321 A.D., Constantine issued the first civil law promoting Sunday rest.

When the Catholic Church grew in influence, it promoted Sunday as a sacred day instead of observing the Sabbath, officially establishing this change at the Council of Laodicea (A.D. 363-364).

So the question becomes, on what authority did the Catholic church institute this change?

James Gibbons, Roman Catholic Theologian and author of the book “The Faith of our Fathers,” wrote:  

“But you may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we never sanctify.”

To put it plainly, it was the Catholic Church’s authority that shifted worship from Saturday to Sunday, rather than any directive in the New Testament Scriptures.

This is a significant acknowledgment from a Catholic prelate—the horse’s mouth, so to speak. Additionally, some religious leaders concede that there is no biblical authorization for designating Sunday as the new Sabbath Day.

When Christianity became aligned with the Roman Empire in the fourth century, a union between church and state began to form. Political power began influencing religious practice, and this period saw the introduction of Sunday laws and later church decrees promoting Sunday observance. [Spoiler alert: This is beginning to occur again—another article forthcoming]

But the point: we are disobeying God’s Commandment and worshipping God on the wrong day.

Now there’s a lot more to this story. However, you can read the full article on the Christian Advocate website, and here’s the link:

https://thechristianadvocate.org/saturday-vs-sunday-worship/

The Danger of Following Tradition

Moving on, the fact of the matter is: Sunday worship is pagan—a tradition of men—established in Rome.

Jesus called the religious leaders out on this following of traditions in Mark 7:6-9

  1. He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.

  1. And in vain they worship Me, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.’
  1. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”
  2. He said to them, “ALL TOO WELL YOU REJECT THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD, THAT YOU MAY KEEP YOUR TRADITION.

Here, Jesus quoted Isaiah’s condemnation of Israel’s hypocrisy when he spoke to the Pharisees, the religious leaders of his day (Matthew 15:7–9; Mark 7:6, 7). We are all capable of hypocrisy, and we’re guilty of it today—As the Scripture states: laying aside the Commandment of God and holding the tradition of men.”

God has never left worship up to human preference. In Deuteronomy 12:29–31, God said:

29 “When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land,

  1. take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’
  2. You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

32 “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

 The Lord stated: “You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way.” Instead of copying how others worshiped their gods, Israel was commanded to worship God according to His instructions alone. This reveals an important truth: God does not accept worship that is shaped by culture, tradition, or human reasoning—but only that which He has commanded.

Israel was condemned for it, and we will be condemned also if we don’t make a change.

As we saw in Part 3: The Meaning of God’s Name in Vain, God does not accept worship shaped by human tradition, but only that which He has commanded.

Has the Sabbath Changed?

Yes, this was for the Israelites, but has God changed? In Malachi 3:6, He is quoted saying, “For I am the Lord, I do not change;”

A Call to Return to God’s Command

My friends, this is a big problem. But there is a solution, it’s time to show Jesus the love He deserves, and keep the Commandments—all of them. As He said in John 14:21 NKJV:

  1. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

The fact is, we are too concerned about being enslaved, and we want to be free. But the Sabbath was never meant to enslave us to a day — it was meant to lead us to the One who gives true rest.

We must worship God on the Day He designated, not the one designated by man!

One day, we will have to choose who we truly love—God or man?

Make the correct choice before it’s too late!

Amen.

Feel free to leave any questions, comments, or concerns below.

Blessings!

👉 Videos

Watch the full teaching on Video

Watch the Short

## 📖 The Ten Commandments Series

– Part 1: No Other Gods

– Part 2: No Idols

– Part 3: The Meaning of God’s Name in Vain

– Part 4: The Truth About the Sabbath (Saturday or Sunday?) (current)

 

 

 

The Meaning of God’s Name in Vain

The Meaning of God’s Name in Vain. It is often misunderstood by many today. Most people assume it only refers to using God’s name as a curse, but this command reaches much deeper. It speaks to how we live, how we represent God, and whether we truly honor His name in our daily lives.

📖 The Ten Commandments Series

Does this Commandment apply today? Is it being violated? The answer may surprise you. And what this commandment really covers might surprise you as well.

Let’s look at this Commandment.

  1. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

What Does it Mean to Take the Lord’s Name in Vain?

What does it mean to take the Lord’s name in vain?

According to the Strong’s Greek-Hebrew Dictionary, the Hebrew word translated as “in vain” is shav’ (shawv), which means “to desolate, destroy, or ruin.” To make useless.

So, in other words, in the context of this Scripture, it means to use God’s name in a useless, profane, or unholy way.

The way we refer to and regard the name of God is considered highly significant. As the Creator and Supreme Ruler of the universe, His name is to be treated with respect and reverence. Due to His status and attributes, it is expected that His name will not be used improperly or without due consideration.

In the Old Testament, misuse of God’s Name carried severe consequences. In fact, over time, the Israelites treated God’s Name with such reverence that many became afraid to even pronounce it, lest they misuse it.

But bringing this to today:

This Commandment requires us to never, under any circumstances, misuse God’s name.

Therefore, His name is always to be honored, praised, and worshipped. And:

⇒ We must never curse nor abuse His name.

⇒ We must never use His name in a frivolous or insincere way.

⇒ We must never take the name of the LORD God in vain.

We must understand that this commandment is not only for the Jews. It is directed to you. It is directed to me. It is directed at every human being on the face of the earth.

The Importance of God’s Name in Scripture 

Let’s look at a couple of examples of how God’s name is used in the Scriptures:

PS. 8:1 NKJV 

  1. O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! 

Ps. 111:9 KJV

  1. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

God’s name is recognized as excellent, Holy, and it is revered in the Scriptures.

How Do We Misuse God’s Name?

Now, take note that there are four ways we can misuse God’s name. We’re going to look at all four.

Cursing or Abusing God’s Name 

This is the most well-known way, and the one most of us think of when considering this Commandment, and it involves profanity.

Profanity refers to the use of language that is considered offensive, including cursing, abusive, or irreverent expressions involving the name of God. The improper use of such language includes vulgarity and profanity: for example, foul or distasteful slang, as well as terms such as “damn,” “hell,” “darn,” and similar words.

The connection between these words and the misuse of God’s name lies in the disrespect they express toward Him. It is highly regarded as inappropriate to profane or curse Him or any aspect of His creation.

Therefore, maintaining respect for language use is encouraged. Our present culture has lost respect for language. Profanity is ubiquitous in our culture.

One of the things I treasure about no longer being involved in secular work is that I don’t have to listen to the copious profanity that permeates the workplace. It is even amongst our youth. Any Christian should be offended by it.

Profanity becomes especially serious when it involves cursing God or using His name in vain. Such actions are considered direct insults to God and, according to belief, lead to severe consequences for the person who uses His name disrespectfully.

An individual’s name represents their identity. Hearing someone’s name typically suggests thoughts of their personality, behavior, values, and reputation. This association is even stronger regarding God’s name.

The descriptions of God highlight that He is holy, just, loving, compassionate, and gracious. He is portrayed as the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, as well as the Redeemer and Savior of humanity. Names given to God, such as Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), emphasize His greatness and uniqueness.

God’s name is considered sacred and distinct—exalted above all other names, whether in heaven or on earth. Because of this, we are urged to treat God’s name with deep respect and reverence, never using it carelessly or as a curse. Instead, God’s name should inspire awe, reverence, and even a sense of humility and fear. Misusing God’s name, especially as a curse word, is strongly discouraged.

I even saw in a church bulletin once: “God’s last name is not dam.” Now that was direct!

God’s name is important because it represents who He is. Many people use it carelessly or as part of a curse without thinking about how serious that can be. The way we speak God’s name shows our true feelings toward him. Because of this, it’s important to treat his name with respect, using it for praise or worship instead of jokes or swearing. Therefore, we shouldn’t ignore or take lightly any misuse of his name.

Using God’s name in an honorable way is part of worship to Him. This builds on what we saw in Part 1: No Other Gods, where God established that He alone is worthy of our worship.

Moving on:

Using God’s Name Carelessly or Irreverently 

Addressing the second point, we must never use His name in a frivolous or insincere way.

Now here is where we fall into dangerous territory in a big way. The fact is, we don’t have to curse to use the Lord’s name in vain.

We misuse God’s name by using His name in some irreverent way, in some frivolous, dishonoring, or light way. How do we do this? Reverence is the keyword. When God’s name is used, it is always to be done reverently. God’s name is never to be used in any irreverent way whatsoever.

All the little common everyday sayings that use God’s name in an irreverent or careless way are wrong. For example:

⇒  God Almighty

⇒  Sweet Jesus

⇒  Lord have mercy

⇒  Oh God

⇒  The Man upstairs

⇒  Somebody up
there

 ⇒  God damn

⇒  God or Jesus Christ or Christ (by themselves, when spoken carelessly

Now, how many times have we heard or used these expressions?

Let’s look at some common usages:

Lord, God almighty, what on earth is going on?

Oh, sweet Jesus, I have never heard anything so funny!

Lord have mercy! How can that be possible?

Oh God, I can’t believe you said that!

I don’t know, the man upstairs must be looking after me.

It is a miracle that no one was injured or killed—somebody up there must have intervened.

Jesus Christ, what the hell is going on?

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard! 

For God’s sake, turn that God-damned music down! 

And I even heard someone say, God be damned! Now that is especially the personification of disrespect for God!

Even in music, there was a soul singer who, in the middle of his secular songs, would say:  Good God! 

Leading the youth to run around saying the same thing

And the most common one of all time: Oh my God!  

Now, how many times have we heard that?! If only I had a dollar for every time I heard it! 

Oh my God, I can’t believe it’s you!

Oh my God, I’m so happy!

Oh my God, I’m late!

Oh my God, my wife, my husband, is going to kill me!

Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God! 

We really wear this one out! 

And it has gotten so popular that it has become an insignia—OMG!

Let’s look at this insignia in detail: This is the definition according to Google:

What does omg mean?

AI Overview

“OMG is an abbreviation for “Oh My God!” used in texts, online chats, and social media to express strong emotions like surprise, shock, excitement, disbelief, or even frustration, becoming popular with digital communication after an early appearance in a 1917 letter.”

As if that isn’t enough, in 2012 there was a movie titled, OMG – OH MY GOD a satirical comedy-drama.

Using OMG casually in text messages as an example of taking God’s name in vain.The Meaning of God's name in vain
Using OMG (Oh my God) casually in text messages as an example of taking God’s name in vain

Now, notice in all these contexts that they have nothing to do with God. This is our culture that has moved so far from God that it’s downright pathetic! No regard for God’s name!

Now there are those who will say: Oh, it’s just a figure of speech, God knows my heart. But that’s not what God says. Again, He says, “for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. There is nothing in this Scripture that says, unless He knows your heart! 

But for those who insist that it’s the heart, let’s look at what Jesus said in Matthew 15:18-20 KJV

  1. But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the HEART; and they defile the man.
  2. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, BLASPHEMIES:
  3. These are the things which defile a man:

So, we see that God does know the heart!

Let’s quickly examine the word ” blasphemies.

In the original Greek, the term, which is blasphemiai, denotes slander, detraction, or language that damages the reputation of others and or of God. Modern English limits Blasphemy to God alone.

Jesus emphasized that these sins are fashioned—in the corrupt heart of man.

So, for us to use the Lord’s name in vain—blasphemies, whether it’s Oh my God, or any other way, that’s what comes from the heart. It must be in your heart for it to come out of your mouth.

So, oh yes, God knows your heart, do you?

What is truly in your heart about God? Do you have the reverence for Him that He deserves?

The Subtle Danger of Cultural Language 

We Christians pacify ourselves by saying, “Oh my gosh.”

Well, while it is true that it isn’t using God’s name, it’s only a heartbeat away. Think about what we’re doing. We’re imitating the world—alluding to God in the process.

Let’s look at what the Scripture says about that, James 4:2 NKJV

  1. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

God is not an allusion. An allusion is a type of figurative language. It functions as a figure of speech by making a subtle, indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work to add deeper meaning or emotional context without overtly addressing it.

Now, the fact that we adopt this approach illustrates that we know saying “oh my God” is wrong, so we replace it with “gosh”. But that’s like putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound. We are simply attempting to blend in with the world—Period!

My friends, we are not to copy, imitate, or emulate the world. It’s a slippery slope heading to become, as the Scripture reads, “an enemy of God.”

Let’s look at what David wrote to God about His enemies in Ps. 139:20: NKJV 

  1. For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain.

It is a dangerous position to profess Christianity and claim to be a disciple of Christ, yet use God’s name in vain. Profession alone is not enough, because it must be followed by action.

Let’s look at what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 NKJV 

  1. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Not everyone who professes Christ, “Lord, Lord” is saved, but the ones who genuinely love Him and do His will.

And the will of the Father, as He expressed in the third Commandment, is: honor His name. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”

Understand that there is nothing wrong with calling on the name of the Lord! Scripture says in Acts 2:21 NKJV 

  1. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.

The point: when we call on the name of the Lord, mean it—with honor, reverence, and respect. Not flippantly, and as a figure of speech—as slang.

Using God’s name in a way that disrespects Him or His character is considered taking His name in vain.

Hypocrisy — Claiming God but Living Contrary 

Thirdly, we must never take the name of the LORD God in vain hypocritically what we call a hypocrite. A hypocrite in this context is a person who professes the name of God but lives for themselves and the world.

They claim belief in God, but they act for personal gain. They use religious actions (praying, tithing, fasting) as works to be seen by others rather than as an earnest expression of love for God. There is a sharp contrast between their public persona and their private actions, with their daily lives often filled with selfish pursuits, greed, or immorality.

A marked discrepancy exists between their public façade and private conduct, as their daily activities frequently reflect self-interest, materialism, or actions not aligned with widely accepted ethical standards.

Now, Jesus called out this behavior. Matthew 15:8 NKJV

  1. “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.

He went into greater detail in Matthew 23:23-28 NKJV

  1. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

You see, they (the religious leaders) were tithing, but not practicing the serious matters of the law. Jesus said, they should have done it all! 

  1. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
  2. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
  3. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

  1. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

These religious leaders were hypocrites to the core. Squeaky clean on the outside, stinky and filthy on the inside. They were a dishonor to God’s name.

False Swearing and Oaths

Moving to the fourth and last, an individual misuses God’s name through false swearing. Perjury—providing false testimony under oath—is improper. Invoking God as a witness to deliberate untruths constitutes misuse of the divine name. False swearing may occur before various parties, including neighbors, business associates, spouses, or judicial authorities. Unfortunately, when called upon to testify or affirm our honesty, individuals sometimes resort to dishonesty and make false oaths. God hates false oaths, and He gets extremely specific about this.

Lev. 19:12 NKJV

  1. And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

And lastly

Zech. 8:16-17 NKJV 

  1. These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;
  2. Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; And do not love a FALSE OATH. For all these are things that I hate,’ Says the Lord.”

What is Required by the Third Commandment?

So, what is required by this commandment? We are expected to refrain from cursing and swearing; instead, we should seek salvation and forgiveness from God. Specifically, one should:

  • abstain from cursing and swearing,
  • avoid using God’s name irreverently or carelessly,
  • refrain from invoking God’s name hypocritically.
  • Avoid using God’s name falsely in oaths.

Why This Commandment Still Matters Today

We need to take God seriously. Scripture says in Prov 9:10, NKJV “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” In the Bible context, “fear of the Lord” is to have reverence for Him, not be afraid.

Now, we say that we want to have a relationship with Him, but how can we if we dishonor His name? How many of us would have a relationship with someone who dishonored our name?

Honoring and having reverence for God—fearing Him—is the beginning. That’s step one after recognizing God for who He is (the first Commandment). Remember the last part of the third Commandment, “for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

To use God’s name in vain is a violation of His Law and is sin. As we saw in Part 2: No Idols, sin is idolatry.

God’s name is sacred; God’s name is powerful. Let’s look at what Peter said during his sermon to the Sanhedrin concerning God’s name in Acts 4:12:

  1. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The third commandment is “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Amen!

Questions, comments, and concerns may be left below.

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The Second Commandment: No Idols

In The Second Commandment: No Idols, God commands His people, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image… you shall not bow down to them nor serve them” (Exodus 20:4–5).

In part one, The Ten Commandments (Part 1): No Other Gods, I addressed the first Commandment, “You shall have no gods before me.” This presentation will address the second commandment, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image.”

Now these two Commandments are closely related in that they both address worship. The first one addresses who we worship, while the second addresses how we distort worship.

The Ten Commandment Series

– Part 1: No Other Gods

– Part 2: No Idols (current)

– Part 3: The Meaning of God’s Name in Vain

– Part 4: The Truth About the Sabbath (Saturday or Sunday?) 

The Commandment Explained

The Second Commandment – Exodus 20:4–6 Scripture image The Second Commandment Pt. 2: No Idols

Let’s look at the second Commandment found in Exodus 20:4-6

4.You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

  1. you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
  2. but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

In the first Commandment, God established Himself as the only and true God, and we see in this second that He is the only one to be worshiped.

While we can recognize God as the one and true God on one hand, we can worship another god. How many times have we heard: “I believe in God,” but they don’t accept Jesus and continue living in the world.

Let’s do a quick examination of this Commandment:

Verse 4 says, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;” That means, you shall not make any image—period full stop!

Verse 5 says, “you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.” So, nor should we worship any idol whatsoever. God Himself spoke these words as it states in (vs.1).

This commandment also prohibits creating any image of God Himself, as He is a heavenly being. It’s important to note that “no image or form or likeness of anything in heaven is to be made” since God exists in heaven—a spiritual realm or dimension. For this reason, making an image of God is not allowed.

This commandment absolutely forbids the making and worshiping of anything other than God Himself.

Do We Bow to Idols Today?

Now, there are some who will say, “That doesn’t apply to us today; we don’t bow down to idols and statues.” Well, actually, some do, but that is to be discussed another time. But the point I want to make very clear is we don’t have to bow down to statues to serve idols.

Many of us today have idols in our minds. We can believe in God, and that’s a good start. But if we have the wrong mindset—the wrong frame of mind—the wrong way of thinking, we will build idols in our minds. More on that as we move forward.

We may not bow down to idols and statues today, but we certainly do have our idols today. The fact is, idolatry did not disappear. It evolved. Our idols are more sophisticated — but they are idols, nonetheless.

When Moses walked down the mountain after receiving the Law on the tablets of stone, he saw the golden calf that the Israelites had produced and were worshipping. In his dismay, he threw down the tablets of stone and broke them. That was just one idol.

Moses breaking the tablets in The Second Commandment: No Idols after Israel worshiped the golden calf (Exodus 32)
One idol was enough to shatter the tablets.

 

But if Moses walked down from the mountain today, he would be very busy!

In our modern society, money, fame, work, and pleasure can quietly rise to a place they were never meant to occupy. When we rely on them for identity, meaning, or security, they begin to control us.

Although we do not intentionally elevate these elements to a central role, the time and attention we invest in them can lead to disproportionate influence over our thoughts and actions. Maintaining appropriate priorities helps prevent these factors from becoming dominant in our lives.

Today’s Idols

Idolatry is not always loud or obvious. Often, it grows quietly in the ordinary areas of life.

Now let’s look at some of the things we can allow to become idols:

  • Money
  • Education
  • Success
  • Politics
  • Relationships
  • Even ministry

Money—

Money is at the top of the list. The almighty dollar! There are so many individuals, including professing Christians, who worship money. Making money is all they think about. No amount is enough! As the Scripture reads in Ecclesiastes 5:10, “He who loves silver [money] will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.”

We set goals, and when we reach those goals, we set higher ones. I was guilty of this before I was saved. We can be very materialistic, desiring the best that money can buy! They work from sunup to sundown to attain it.

Simply put, it is a dangerous mindset. As the Scripture warns us in 1 Timothy 6:10, “ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Therefore, if we’re not careful, money will pull us right out of God’s reach. Not money itself, but the love of money. The materialistic culture that we live in today makes this love a genuine force.

But we must recognize that God is the source; money is a resource. We are reminded of this in Deuteronomy 8:18, which says,

  1. “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth,”

The fact of the matter is we forget the source — and when we forget the source, we begin to worship the resource.

Education—

It may be hard to believe that education can be an idol. To some, their degrees are their idol. It becomes an obsession. Their degrees are their god.

Education is great—education is necessary, but it must be kept in its proper place, and not a preoccupation in our souls.

Success—

Success can be another idol. Some individuals can be so wrapped up in their success that it literally goes to their head. In their minds, they are the greatest on earth. And they, too, can never achieve enough. They set goals on top of goals. Success and reputation are their god.

Some individuals let success go to their heads, becoming puffed up and prideful, which God hates and judges. Proverbs 16 :18 says “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Politics—

When it comes to leadership of our villages, towns, states and country, we forget about  God and focus on man—through politics. Our society today has turned further from God to the government. But notice that the government has become increasingly dysfunctional.

A few years back, a politician said on national television that the nation is depending on the government more and more, and that’s a problem. Now imagine that—from a politician! Now, let’s look at what God says about it in His Word in Jeremiah 17:5 NKJV

  1. Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord.

One thing about God—He pulls no punches!

Now the Scripture says, “cursed is the man.” But think about this, if enough men, and enough women, and enough children trust in man instead of God, the whole nation—is cursed.

Relationships—

Boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, and children can all become idols—if we allow them to. But Jesus said this in Luke 14:26 NKJV:

  1. 26. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

The Lord is very direct. If an individual desires to follow Him, he must hate father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even his or her own life. The meaning of “hate” carries a proportional weight here. The idea is that, regarding Jesus, if we are forced to choose, the winner in that choice must be Jesus.

Ministry—

Yes, even the ministry can become an idol. We can get so caught up in ministry that we forget who we are serving, thus becoming an idol. Pride can overtake us, and we end up serving ourselves.

Ourselves—

We can make ourselves an idol. By focusing on our own survival, provision and comfort to the point that we can forget all about God—the one who can help us the most! This is an easy trap to fall into due to the narcissistic culture that we live in.

Six mindsets have been addressed that can lead us down the road of idolatry. None of which are idols themselves, but if handled inappropriately, can become one. We must realize that these things are resources, but God, and only God is the source—of all things.

There are more, and anything that takes the place of God’s authority in our lives becomes an idol. God is to be first in all aspects of life.

Taking this further, sin itself is idolatry. The fact is, every time we choose our will over God’s, we bow to self and become idolaters.

Scripture addresses this in Ephesians 5:1-6 NKJV

1.Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

  1. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
  2. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
  3. neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
  4. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an IDOLATER, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
  5. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

This broadens the umbrella; this Scripture casts a big net.

Since this is New Testament Scripture, the question must be asked: Is the second Commandment only for Israel? Is it out of date?  It doesn’t appear to be the case. And notice — the New Testament speaks just as clearly about idolatry as the Old Testament. Therefore, this second Commandment is in full force as long as sin exists!

Understand that sin promises pleasure, power, identity, or control, and when we believe that promise, we’ve bowed.

Bottom line: sin is idolatry, and anyone who is disobedient and lives a life of sin and rebellion is an idolater. Period—full stop!

The Remedy for Idolatry

So, what must we do to fall in line with the second Commandment? What’s the remedy? Well, of course, the prescription is in the Scriptures. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV reads:

  1. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
  2. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

To be sober is to be alert, serious. Lions typically prey on sick, young, or isolated animals, often targeting individuals who appear vulnerable or inattentive.

To be vigilant is to be watchful, observant—on the lookout for the enemy who is in this case, Satan the Devil.

Lion representing Satan the Devil in The Second Commandment: No Idols, based on 1 Peter 5:8
“Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion…” (1 Peter 5:8)

Satan is crafty, and idolatry can be a very insidious condition. We can be in an idolatrous state without realizing it.

Verse 9 says, “resist him,” being “steadfast in the faith.” We must resist him (the devil) by being steadfast in our faith, knowing that if we do, we will be victorious. As the Scripture says in James 4:7-8 “ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

While we may not physically bow down to Idols and statues these days, we bow to them in our minds. When we allow this, they become strongholds in our minds. Because this isn’t physical, we can’t fight this battle on our own. It is a Spiritual one—this is Spiritual Warfare, and we can’t fight it in the physical—tanks, guns, or fighter jets mean nothing in this war.  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV

  1. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
  2. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
  3. casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Our weapons for this battle are not carnal or physical, for the pulling down of strongholds.

We must use our Spiritual armor.

The bottom line is, there’s competition for worship, and a battle for souls between God and Satan, and we’re in the middle.

I’m not going to address Spiritual Warfare any further. There is a whole series on this website that addresses it.

The Battle for Worship

So, to close: we must be sober, vigilant, and resist.

The Scripture says, we are to cast “down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself” against God.

To repeat—the second Commandment:

4.“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.

We may not bow to statues…but if something controls us more than God does, we have built an idol.

Therefore, we must be sober and vigilant, paying attention to where our focus is and directing it to God.

As Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-38, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first and great commandment.

We must worship God only!

Amen!

Please leave your questions, comments, and concerns below.

Blessings!

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The Ten Commandment Series

Part 1: No Other Gods

– Part 2: No Idols (current)

– Part 3: The Meaning of God’s Name in Vain

– Part 4: The Truth About the Sabbath (Saturday or Sunday?) 

The Ten Commandments (Part 1): No Other Gods

Introduction

In the previous presentation titled “Law or Grace: Are Christians Still Under the Law Today,” I laid the foundation of this series on the Law. In it, I made clear, through the Scriptures, that we are under both the Law and grace. Now that it is clear that the Law applies to us, the balance of this series will be an exposition of each of the Ten Commandments, which are the base of the Law, and how they apply to our lives today as Christians. This article, The Ten Commandments (Part 1): No Other Gods, is the first of ten articles addressing each of these Laws.

Part 1: No Other Gods

– Part 2: No Idols

– Part 3: The Meaning of God’s Name in Vain

– Part 4: The Truth About the Sabbath (Saturday or Sunday?) 

What are the Ten Commandments?

With the foundation of the Law in place, the next question becomes simple and necessary. What are the Ten Commandments? The Ten Commandments are ten Laws handed to Moses from God on Mt. Sinai, also known as Mt. Horeb. God presented them on tablets of stone.  As mentioned earlier, these Laws are the basis of the Mosaic Law. All of the Commandments contained in the Old Testament Law (613) derive from these Ten Commandments.

Moses holding the Ten Commandments tablets on Mount Sinai.

The Ten Commandments Listed

They are as follows:

1.                    You shall have no other gods before me

2.                    You shall not make for yourself a carved image

3.                    You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain

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

5.                    Honor your father and your mother

6.                    You shall not murder

7.                    You shall not commit adultery

8.                    You shall not steal

9.                    You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor

10.              You shall not covet

The Structure and Purpose of the Law

When we look at these ten laws together, it becomes clear why they stand at the heart of all moral law. Because if the world obeyed these Laws, what a different world would we live in!

The initial four commandments focus on how we connect with God, while the remaining six address how we interact with other people—a complete package. We can’t go wrong if we follow God’s Laws!

Therefore, these commandments are not random or disconnected; they are carefully ordered to address every relationship in life.

The First Commandment

In this article, we will begin by discussing the first Commandment. To understand the weight of the first commandment, we must hear it directly from God Himself.

The First Commandment in Scripture

So, let’s look at this Commandment in Scripture, Exodus 20:1-3 NKJV:

1. And God spoke all these words, saying:

2.“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3.“You shall have no other gods before Me.

Before we look at the command itself, notice how God introduces it by looking closely at verse 2, which quotes God as saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

One thing is clear: our God is not shy! Here He is making his position crystal clear. It is He who freed the Israelites from bondage. It is He that bought the Israelites out of Egypt, it is He that provided for them in the wilderness into the Promised Land, and as a result He is to receive the honor and the glory—nobody else!

Therefore, in verse 3, He said, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

What the First Commandment Declares About God

This first commandment addresses what is forbidden and how it can be violated. It focuses on the nature of God, declaring that only He is the Supreme Being and the ultimate authority in the universe. No other being or god shares His role as Creator, ruler, or sovereign over all existence. God alone is the living and true Lord and Creator.

This commandment is not vague or symbolic; it establishes clear and uncompromising boundaries regarding who God is.

Three Uncompromising Truths of the First Commandment

This commandment establishes three clear and uncompromising truths.

Firstly, individuals should refrain from regarding themselves as deities. It is important to recognize that neither humans nor any other entity or force within the universe constitutes the ultimate origin of existence.

Secondly, people should not consider animals, other creatures, or material objects to be God. Individuals are also advised not to look to the sky, the earth, or the sea and claim that anything found there is divine.

Thirdly, Man is not to believe in many gods (polytheism). There is only one living and true God, only one true Architect, only one Lord and Majesty of the universe (monotheism). Therefore, man is to have no other gods of any kind. All other so-called gods are nothing more than things created by the imaginations and thoughts of individuals.

Modern Forms of Idolatry

Moreover, if we allow something else to take priority in our hearts and minds—if it demands the love and devotion meant only for the true God—it essentially becomes a different god to us. Anything that our heart holds onto above all else transforms into our god.

When the true God is displaced from the heart, something else inevitably takes His place.

Common Modern Examples of False Gods

Consequently, let’s consider some common modern examples:

• The proud person worships themselves.

• The ambitious seek approval as their highest aim.

• The covetous make wealth their priority.

• The greedy hold possessions above all else.

• The immoral elevate desire for sex.

• The glutton values food most.

• The doting lover puts another person before everything else.

Anything we value, love, fear, or serve more than God can become our “god.” Essentially, whatever our hearts cling to fills that role—even ourselves. In fact, many people are primarily devoted to pleasing themselves, prioritizing their own values, feelings, comfort, desires, and pleasures. They act according to their own wishes and follow their personal path, effectively putting themselves in the place of God. Others might turn different things into their gods, from heavenly bodies to recreation.

A god can be anything or any person. However, our first allegiance, first loyalty, first devotion is to be to the Lord God. The Lord God is to be first in an individual’s life; He is to be enthroned in the heart of mankind. An individual is to know and acknowledge that there is one God and one God alone.

Bottom line: The first commandment of the Lord is to be obeyed.

False Worldviews That Reject God

Now let’s look at this in today’s world. Again, verse 3 quotes God as saying, “You shall have no other gods before Me. On the contrary, we have all kinds of doctrines of the world advancing principles contrary to God.

This commandment is not confined to ancient Israel; it directly confronts the belief systems shaping our world today.

For example:

We are not to deny God, declaring there is no God (atheism).

⇒           We are not to question God, saying God may exist but He also may not exist (agnosticism).

⇒           We are not to declare that man himself is the supreme being, the ultimate authority of his world (humanism).

⇒           We are not to look to science and technology as the ultimate power in life (secularism)

Here are a few of the doctrines in the world today that refute God.

The Consequences of Obeying and Disobeying

Scripture does not leave this commandment in the realm of theory—it reveals real consequences tied to how we respond to it.

Now, let’s look at the Biblical consequences of obeying and disobeying this first Commandment.

The Consequences of Disobeying

God is grieved when we don’t follow Him and sin.

We often think first about how sin affects us, but Scripture shows that rejecting God first affects God Himself.

Consequences Upon God

Foremost, we must realize that there are consequences upon God himself when we disobey. Especially this Commandment. There is a reason why it is the first Commandment.

The first consequence is: the individual who chooses not to follow God pierces the very heart of God, causing pain and hurt for Him.

Let’s look at some examples, 1 Samuel 8:7-8: NKJV

7.  And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.

8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also.

The pain in God’s heart can be seen here. This is when Israel demanded to be ruled by a king rather than by God. They desired man over God? What a foolish choice!

Let’s look at another example, Psalm 81:11 NKJV

11.“But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me.

Again, you can see God’s pain and disappointment.

Moving to the next example of how rejecting God pierces His heart. Despite the rejection of His people (including us today), He patiently waits.

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

9. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

We’ve seen how not accepting God affects Him, but in this verse we see that He is still patiently waiting, hoping that all will come to repentance.

The next consequence is—the individual who does not follow God causes the name of God to be blasphemed.

Before we go further, in the Bible, blasphemy refers to speaking or writing with disrespect, mockery, or insolence to God, His name, His works, or the Holy Spirit. This serious sin involves slandering God’s character or sacred things. In the Old Testament, blasphemy was punishable by death; in the New Testament, it also includes denying Christ or wrongly claiming the Holy Spirit’s work is of Satan.

Let’s look at Romans 2:23-24 NKJV

23. You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?

24. For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

This is a strong admonition of hypocrisy. Professing Law keepers were, in actuality, breaking the Law. This caused God’s name to be blasphemed.

The next consequence that is upon God is – the person who does not follow God lives a life that is detestable to God.

Titus 1:16 NKJV

16. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

Here we have more hypocrisy. Though they profess God, they live a life that, as the Scripture reads, is “disqualified for every good work.” A life that is despicable to God, as well as abominable, morally disgusting, and utterly loathsome to God, provoking His intense displeasure and judgment. Think He’s happy about this?

So, we see that when we choose not to follow God, He suffers.

These are the consequences for God.

Rejecting God not only wounds His heart—it also devastates the life of the individual who turns away.

Consequences Upon the Individual

Next, we look at the consequences on oneself, an individual’s day-to-day life.

First, the individual who does not follow God follows after dumb, lifeless idols, man-made gods that can never help them.

Jeremiah 16:20 NKJV

20. Will a man make gods for himself, Which are not gods?

Idolatry was the major reason for Israel’s judgment. In this verse, Jeremiah addresses idolatry as being utterly dumb and useless — lifeless objects incapable of saving, speaking, or acting..

Now think about it. How can we make an object ourselves and worship it, and expect to be blessed by it? It makes no sense! It’s dumb!

1 Corinthians 12:2 NKJV

2. You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.

Here, Paul reminded the Corinthians Christians that in the past they followed “dumb idols.”

The next consequence is – The person who does not follow God lives a life of hopelessness.

Ephesians 2:11-12 NKJV

11.  Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—

12. that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Here again, Paul is addressing the previous state without God. This time to the Ephesians, that they were aliens and strangers from the covenant and had no hope without God.

Lastly, the person who does not follow God lives a life that is enslaved to sin.

Galatians 4:8-9 NKJV

8. But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.

9. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

Here, Paul rebukes the Galatians for leaving the false gods and knowing the true God, only to return to the bondage of following the false gods again. When we don’t follow God—don’t obey God—or keep His Commandments, we are in bondage to sin.

If rejection of God remains unrepentant, Scripture shows that it ultimately leads to judgment.

The Consequence of Judgment

Next, we look at the consequence of Judgment.

The person who does not follow God will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

10. nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Now this passage covers a gamut of unrighteous behaviors; all of which are against God’s Laws. The point is, you cannot be a follower of God and engage in sinful behaviors—live lives of iniquity. Those who do are under the influence of Satan. Sin is ubiquitous in the world, and as a result, the world will be judged. As Jesus said in John 16:11 regarding the functions of the Holy Spirit, He says, “of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” This ruler is none other than Satan.

Next, the individual who does not follow God displeases God and arouses His anger and wrath.

In order to please God, the Father, and receive eternal life, we must believe in His Son. Let’s look at John 3:36 NKJV

36. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Let’s look at what Jesus said in John 14:6, NKJV

6. ““I am the way…, the truth…, and the life… No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Now, it doesn’t get any clearer than this—but let’s go further:

John 8:24 NKJV

24. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

Jesus was addressing the Pharisees firmly because they didn’t believe He was who He said He was (He had previously said He was the light of the world). So because of their unbelief, they were sinners, and He declared that they would die in their sins.

Today, individuals will die in their sins if they reject Jesus, because they are rejecting the only way to be rescued from sin. Regrettably, many are so preoccupied with the values of this world that they are blind to the priceless gift that only Christ offers.

Next, 2 Thessalonians 2:12 [NKJV]

Paul was recounting the events preceding the second coming of the Lord. And he said in verse 12:

12. that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Those who don’t believe the truth of God and Jesus and instead choose unrighteousness will be condemned and judged.

Next, the person who does not follow God shall face the fierce judgment of God and perish.

2 Peter 3:7 NKJV

7. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

The first seven verses of this chapter 3 address mockery in the last days, and speak to judgment on the ungodly that was implemented in the past by the Word of God. And in verse 7, the Scripture makes clear that the same Word is preserving the world for the day of judgment on the ungodly; those who do not follow God.

Let’s look at John 12:48 NKJV

48. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.

The initial mission of Jesus on earth was to guide individuals toward salvation and eternal life, rather than to pass judgment. However, upon his return, a principal objective will be to evaluate individuals based on their actions during their lives on earth. According to Christ’s teachings, those words that are not accepted and followed will serve as grounds for condemnation.

Bottom line – those who reject Jesus and live any way they please will face eternal punishment (cf. Revelation 20:11–15).

So, we have seen, in Scripture, the terrible consequences of not following the true God and following other gods.

The Consequences of Obeying

But God does not leave humanity under condemnation alone—He provides a way of redemption and blessing through Jesus Christ.

Next, we look at the blessed consequences—the benefits of keeping this Commandment of not following false gods.

Keeping this commandment brings blessings from the Lord, the only living and true God, to those who believe in and follow Him.

Now, originally this applied to the Jews, and everybody else was cursed by the Law, but with the advent of Jesus, His death and resurrection opened the way for all. Let’s look at this in Galatians 3:13-14, 28-29: NKJV

13. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),

14. that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

With the Advent of Christ, this curse was lifted and opened to all who accept Christ Jesus, the covenant God made with Abraham.

Let’s look at the result.

28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

PRASE God!

So, for us today, following God through His Son Jesus Christ opens the door to the wonderful benefits of His grace.

Let’s look at some Scripture illuminating these benefits.

To begin, an individual who sincerely holds faith in God will attain salvation, eternal life, and not face condemnation through God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s look at the promise by Jesus in John 3:16-18 NKJV

16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

17. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18. “He who believes in Him is not condemned;

Here we have the promise by the Lord Himself. He came to save the world that the world through Him might be saved; saved from eternal death to eternal life.

Let’s look at some benefits while we are here on earth today.

An individual who maintains faith in God is likely to experience a sense of peace, serenity, and confidence throughout life, as they place their trust in God and remain mindful of Him.

Let’s look at Isaiah 26:3 KJV

3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.

This verse is part of Israel’s kingdom song, singing to the Lord, and stating that those who keep their mind on Him, and trust Him, will be in perfect peace.

New Testament—Romans 5:1-4 NKJV

1.Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2. through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

4. and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

This just get’s better and better. Even during our time in tribulations, we have peace because we recognize that they work for good. [Romans 8:28]

Continuing on trials and tribulations, let’s look at Psalm 34 19: NKJV

19. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.  

If we follow and trust God, He will be our source, and He will deliver us from our afflictions and trials.

This brings us to another advantage: those who have faith in God receive ongoing strength from Him each day, even sharing in God’s own enduring power.

Isaiah 26:4 NKJV

4. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord (Yahweh), is everlasting strength.

As we trust in the Lord, the true God, we have the assurance of His everlasting strength.

Finally, individuals who maintain faith in God, trust that they will be guided, supported and directed by God’s divine care.

Psalm 37:5 NKJV

5. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

6. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

So, the first Commandment is “thou shalt have no other gods before me. If we follow Him—obey His Commandments, we will be blessed!

The Heart of the First Commandment

At its core, the first commandment is not merely about restriction—it is about love.

As Jesus answered the lawyer regarding the greatest commandment in Mark 12:37,  ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment.

The first commandment is foundational because all other commandments flow from it.

Loving God is the greatest thing we can do!

Amen!

Questions, comments, and concerns may be left below.

Next, we’ll look at the second Commandment:

You shall not make for yourself a carved image

Blessings!

👉 Watch the Full Video Presentation

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The Ten Commandments Series

Part 1: No Other Gods

– Part 2: No Idols

– Part 3: The Meaning of God’s Name in Vain

– Part 4: The Truth About the Sabbath (Saturday or Sunday?)