Do you follow the 10 commandments?

Most people try their best, but a careful look at the intent behind the commandments proves a little more difficult. We might follow the rule, but our heart condition may be jaded. And that is really the purpose of today’s post; to get to the heart of the 10 commandments.

I’d like to offer 8 questions relating to each of the 10 commandments within the context of being a parent (or a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or close family friend). It will help us all think a little deeper about how our actions are displaying the heart behind the 10 commandments, or how our hearts may be deceiving us, or worse, justifying poor behaviour. (You’ll have to figure that out on your own!)

Why only 8 questions, and not 10 questions? It might become apparent in the post, but the short answer is a couple of the commandments have cross-overs that I wanted to include in similar principles.

With that preamble out of the way, let’s get started.

1. How important are sports, streaming services, and social media?

Commandments 1 and 2 are focused on other gods and idols.

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 slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or 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 or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. ~ Exodus 20:4-6 (ESV)

You might bristle at my insinuation of worshipping media, but it’s not a stretch when we count up how many hours each day we bow down to…ah, I mean…sit in front of, giving our undivided attention to, our favourite media device or platform.

How many times will we ignore a devotional time with the Creator of the universe to catch more television sports? Our favourite Netflicks series or another Tik-Tok video? Don’t get me wrong, these are acceptable forms of entertainment; they’re not evil in themselves.

Intent & Heart Condition: We should think about what we’re modelling when our children. When they see us reschedule our day for these activities, but neglect our time with God, what are we impressing upon them?

[bctt tweet=”We should think about what we’re modelling when our children. When they see us reschedule our day for these activities, but neglect our time with God, what are we impressing upon them?” username=”PastorJNorton”]

2. What does saying “Oh my God!” really mean?

Commandment 3 is related to the Lord’s name in speech without significant meaning.

7 “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. ~ Exodus 20:7 (ESV)

This one’s pretty straightforward, keeping in mind that our children are likely listening more when we’re not actually speaking to them. Saying “oh my God” or “Jesus Christ” as a cuss word goes nowhere fast.

Intent & Heart Condition: It’s just not worth it. There are plenty of other words in the English language that can be substituted to emphasize a strong emotion.

[bctt tweet=”Saying “oh my God” or “Jesus Christ” as a cuss word goes nowhere fast. It’s just not worth it. There are plenty of other words in the English language that can be substituted to emphasize a strong emotion.” username=”PastorJNorton”]

3. Is resting as important as working?

In Commandment 4, God highlights the importance of rest. And notice how much time He spends explaining it!

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. ~ Exodus 20:8-11 (ESV)

Here we see the importance of taking at least one day per week to relax, recreate and most importantly, recentre on the Lord. Working our lives away tells our children that work is all that’s to be attained in this life.

Intent & Heart Condition: Showing children the stability of sabbath-rest within the stability of working hard and providing for the family creates a life balance within the mind of our children.

[bctt tweet=”Showing children the stability of sabbath-rest within the stability of working hard and providing for the family creates a life balance within the mind of our children.” username=”PastorJNorton”]

4. Do we ever stop respecting our parents?

Commandment 5 is our favourite as parents, isn’t it? We love quoting this one to our kids!

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. ~ Exodus 20:12 (ESV)

Don’t skip over this one. It might just be the most convicting! As our children listen to us complain about our own parents or neglect caring for them, what are they learning?

Intent & Heart Condition: Are we teaching them that this Commandment doesn’t hold any long-term weight? They’ll remember it and we’ll reap what we sew. Honouring our parents is a long-term endeavour.

[bctt tweet=”Are we teaching them that this Commandment doesn’t hold any long-term weight? They’ll remember it and we’ll reap what we sew. Honouring our parents is a long-term endeavour.” username=”PastorJNorton”]

5. Who do we hate? Who do we lust after?

Now, we move on to the biggies, Commandments 6 and 7.

13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. ~ Exodus 20:13-14 (ESV)

These are big ones, but easy right? Not exactly. These are the two commandments that Jesus addressed for us in the Gospels (see Matthew 5), specifically speaking to our heart condition.

When we come home from work and tell our spouses how much we can’t stand a specific person we interacted with that day, are we modelling hatred and malice?

Intent & Heart Condition: Our words can start displaying the same heart condition of murder that Jesus warned us about. And our children will notice, and might even repeat it.

What about lust? It creeps into our homes in subtle ways, typically starting with media usage without boundaries. The programs and movies that we allow into our homes tell a story about our heart condition, and what we’ve become accustomed to.

Intent & Heart Condition: It may hurt to hear, but we often model a total disregard for adultery of the heart because it’s just ‘entertainment’.

[bctt tweet=”The media we allow in our homes tells a story about our heart condition, and what we’ve become accustomed to. It may hurt to hear, but we often model a total disregard for adultery of the heart because it’s just ‘entertainment’.” username=”PastorJNorton”]

6. Are we taking anything that doesn’t belong to us?

In commandment 8, theft is addressed.

15 “You shall not steal. ~ Exodus 20:15 (ESV)

When we read this commandment, we might think of walking into a store or home and taking something that does not belong to us. When in fact, there is so much more to consider. To ensure we get the picture, I want to spend a bit more time on this one outlining a few examples.

• What about not claiming all our income on our taxes? Is that theft? According to the New Testament principles on governing authorities, it’s definitely stealing.
• What about that item in our grocery bag that didn’t appear on the receipt or the incorrect change given in our favour? It’s such a hassle to go back inside and make it right? And yet, what’s the price tag on the lesson for our children?
  • This is a massive opportunity for our kids when we explain what happened and take the time to walk back into the store and make it right.

Intent & Heart Condition: Always consider the One whom all blessings flow. Is giving to your local church and charities an essential part of family finances? Children notice these things. Explain the why and ask them to consider giving from their allowance or chore money.

[bctt tweet=”Always consider the One whom all blessings flow. Is giving to your local church and charities an essential part of family finances? Children notice these things. Explain the why and ask them to consider giving from their allowance or chore money.” username=”PastorJNorton”]

7. Are we being honest?

Commandment 9 is all about giving false witness.

16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. ~ Exodus 20:16 (ESV)

Are we always truthful about the day’s events? What about the people whom we’ve interacted with throughout our day? Have we retold the day’s events accurately?

Our children are listening even when we think they’re not, and they’ll be the first to repeat the story to that friend or family member. Getting caught in a lie is embarrassing and our children will pick up on it.

Intent & Heart Condition: Who are we trying to impress with false information? What are we trying to hide? This is an identity problem that we need to bring to Jesus.

[bctt tweet=”Who are we trying to impress with false information? What are we trying to hide? This is an identity problem that we need to bring to Jesus.” username=”PastorJNorton”]

8. Do we need (want) more stuff?

Finally, we’ve reached Commandment 10.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” ~ Exodus 20:17 (ESV)

If you’re not catching the connection to your life, I’ll offer this commandment within my Northern context, with my fictitious MNV (Modern Northern Version) of this commandment:

“You shall not covet your neighbour’s spouse. You shall not set your desire on your neighbour’s cabin or his property, his driftboat or his snow machine, his fishing pole or his rifle, or any outdoor gear belonging to your neighbour.”

Intent & Heart Condition: Are you constantly saying “if I only had a…I could…” or “I wish I had a…so I could…“? This is a contentment problem that your kids will remember and model for years. It’s an exhausting plight for more that never ends. Why not end the cycle for them before it starts?

[bctt tweet=”Are you constantly saying “if I only had a…I could…” or “I wish I had a…so I could…”? This is a contentment problem that your kids will remember and model for years. It’s an exhausting plight for more that never ends.” username=”PastorJNorton”]

Resources NOT Regulations

The 10 commandments are not regulations to hinder our lives; they’re resources to help us lead fulfilling lives. Just take a moment and read how the People of Israel responded, and how Moses comforted them with a greater understanding of why God gave them these commandments.

18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” 21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. ~ Exodus 20:18-21 (ESV)

Following these commandments and thinking deeply about how they impact our hearts can be a huge asset to how we make decisions. They can keep us from sin and self-destructive behaviour. Moreover, they can impact our legacy, providing a better example for our children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, or those close family friends.