The Ten Commandments ~ A New Way Of Interpretation

The Ten Commandments ~ A New Way Of Interpretation

Eileen Renders                November 06, 2023

   While most of us may read the Ten Commandments and see them as simply commands handed down from God, as simply giving Him the respect and obedience he deserves from us. It is my opinion that everything that God asks of us is for us, that is; for our own emotional, spiritual, and physiological health.

   Also, let us always keep in mind that Jesus Christ while on earth lived the Commandments, and was an example for us by His life.

The Ten Commandments

First ~ I AM the Lord thy God, and thou shalt not have strange gods before me

Satan will tempt us thousands and thousands of times with empty promises, and some of those temptations include making money, other human beings, or living an extravagant life as our goal. This kind of life makes one selfish, without empathy, or charity, and separates us from our creator.

Second ~ Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain

Many people use the name of God to curse something or someone. They may use His name to correct someone, to speak of negativity, or to condemn someone in a very negative way. The name of God is to only be used with reverence, otherwise, we are using His name in an irreverent manner that shows no respect for God. When he walked the earth, Jesus was respectful and obedient at all times and cursed no one as it shows a lack of faith, love, and mercy for others.

Third ~ Remember to keep Holy the Sabbath

God instructs us to pay homage to gone and rest on Sunday as we are required to acknowledge God and show our love and devotion to Him. In other Commandments, God also requires that we show love, obedience, and respect to our parents as grateful participants of their love.

Fourth ~ Honor thy father and thy mother

Just as God requires our love in return for His great love and sacrifice of the Crucifixion on the Cross, He requires us to love respect, and obey our parents. This is the foundation of becoming a good person, to practice love, respect, and obedience. We all know of those who disrespected and disobeyed the Law and ended up in jail for many years as punishment. God wants more for us.

Fifth ~ Thou shalt not kill

Our creator is the One God who creates life, and therefore, is the One who can take a life when a life is over, and God calls us to Him. This includes abortion. And this Commandment goes a bit further in requiring us to have respect for all life. Not to harm, or injure someone, and not to disrespect the animals of earth that He created.

For who should not respect life can fall victim to those who do not respect life. Perhaps “Live by the sword, and die by the sword” gives clarity to harmful acts.

God desires for all His creatures to live out their lives, until He and only He, calls us to be with Him.

Sixth ~ Thous shalt not commit Adultery

God tells us that Matrimony is a sacrament that is received in God’s presence and God has said; “What, therefore, God has joined together let not man break apart.” Love sounds so romantic, yet often when the seas are rough, romanticism departs. When there are financial problems, or one is tempted by another. This is a great sin and testament to how we live is blanketed by what we believe. We all will be judged one day. Therefore, always remember that love may be a feeling, yet marriage is a commitment, a promise.

Seventh ~ Thous shalt not steal

Taking what does not belong to one, is a grave sin. Someone else most likely worked for the item or items that have been taken from them and will suffer in some way. The one who steals is without justice, empathy, or feeling. God reminds us that He sees and hears all that we do and say. One day we will stand before Him and account for our sins. God has also warned us that there is a heaven and a Hell.

Eighth ~  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor  

This Commandment tells us not to cause emotional, or physical harm to another through bearing false witness. Such actions can cause an innocent person to lose their job, their spouse, or more. Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. We cannot set ourselves up as judges and decide who we would like to punish because we do not like them. Our repeated sins and habitual lack of repentance can carry heavy consequences on Judgement Day.

Ninth ~ Thous shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife

This is the sin of lust and jealousy for someone who is married to another. Just to even harbor such thoughts is a sin. As God has told us; “What God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” Whenever someone allows such thoughts to linger and agrees to conjure up such thoughts it can also lead to inappropriate actions. These Commandments are meant to keep people safe from the evil one who wishes to destroy our destiny with Christ.

Tenth ~ Thous shalt not covet thy neighbors goods

This Commandment says that we should not want what does not belong to us, nor should we harbor jealousy. We are meant to work for, or honestly attain what we are capable of, and be satisfied with our abilities, lest we plot to steal from our neighbor what is not rightfully ours.

   So as the Commandments clearly explain, God wishes for us not to sin so that one day we can spend eternity in paradise with Him. We must try to live by His example and His Commandments.