Verses 1-17
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The Ten Commandments are entry level repentance and obedience for believers. Jesus expounded on them in His basic teaching in Matthew 5.
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If you are a new believer wanting to know what to change first in your actions, or how to repent, observe the Ten Commandments. Or if you are trying to teach a new believer what to change first, teach them the Ten Commandments so that they know what to repent of. Let's break down the meaning of each commandment one-by-one:
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1. “You shall have no other gods before Me” (verse 3).
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As part of salvation, believe only in the one true God and Jesus Christ. And in your heart and affection, keep God #1. Don't allow yourself to love anything more than you love God. Jesus taught that if we love anything more than Him, we are not worthy of Him (Matthew 10:37, Luke 14:25-33). Place obeying God before everything!
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2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image...you shall not bow down to them nor serve them” (verses 4-5).
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Closely connected to the first commandment, don't allow any physical thing in this world take your attention away from God or prevent you from obedience. Devices, objects, relationships, substances...anything. Any time you allow something in this world to distract you or pull you away from God, you are breaking this commandment.
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This is also closely connected to covetousness. Coveting is also breaking this commandment (Colossians 3:5b).
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3. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (verse 7).
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Don't use God's name as a cuss word.
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Do not use God's name to swear that you will do something, only to fail to keep your promise. Jesus said do not swear at all (Matthew 5:33-37); simply let your yes be yes and your no, no.
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Don't falsely prophesy (or say God told you something when this may not be true, as this is using taking God's name vainly) (Jeremiah 23:25).
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Don't practice hypocrisy or misrepresent God. This could mean claiming loyalty to Christ and His name while knowingly dishonoring Him with your actions; or it could mean doing something ungodly or unbiblical while claiming that it's for God.
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4. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (verse 8).
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Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath (Colossians 2:16-17), so that observing an actual day as holy is optional (Romans 14:5-6). Today, the way we “remember the Sabbath” is by remembering what Christ has done for us. To obey this commandment, keep your faith only in Jesus, believe the Word, and constantly remember that His death and resurrection are what save you, not your self-righteous efforts (Hebrews 4:1-3, Colossians 2:18-23). You can also practice this by taking communion every day, with every meal. Every time you eat and drink, remember Christ (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
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The Sabbath law also includes the commandment to work for six days. Simply put, be productive for as much time as possible in a week, and rest when you need to, so your body and mind can recover.
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5. “Honor your father and your mother” (verse 12).
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As someone unmarried and still living under your parents' roof, obey their instructions always. As someone married, do not sin against your parents, and do not speak negatively about them. When they grow old, if they are unable to take care of themselves, you take care of them and provide for their needs (1 Timothy 5:4,8).
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6. “You shall not murder” (verse 13).
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Not all killing is murder, as there is a time to kill in instances like war, for example (Ecclesiastes 3:3,8). For most of us, not murdering means this:
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Do not be angry with someone without a cause, nor speak evil of someone by insulting or reviling them (Matthew 5:21-22).
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Also do not let anger continue for any extended period of time (Ephesians 4:26-27).
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Do not be bitter or unforgiving, and do what you can to bring peace and agreement into all your relationships (Matthew 5:23-25).
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Do not hate others (1 John 3:14-15).
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7. “You shall not commit adultery” (verse 14).
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This commandment infers that we do not commit any form of sexual sin. Sexual activity is only for you and your spouse. Don't have sex before a committed and legal marriage, and once married, do not participate in sexual activity with anyone besides your spouse.
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Also, don't lust (or sexually covet) in your thoughts for anyone (Matthew 5:27-28). Sexually desire only your spouse.
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Don't consume any pornography or pornographic material.
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8. “You shall not steal” (verse 15).
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Don't take what doesn't belong to you. When you make purchases, pay the price required of you; and when you sell, charge exactly what you say you're going to charge, and no more (Proverbs 20:10).
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Give what is due to all. Pay your taxes, honor others, and give your body in service and affection to your spouse (Romans 13:7, 1 Corinthians 7:3-4). Failing to do these things is robbing from others what they are due.
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Also, remember not to steal what belongs to God. Your body belongs to God, so don't use your body for sin (1 Corinthians 6:13-20). This is stealing. Honor God with your money and your time. Don't waste either, as this is also robbing from God what He gave you for His intended purposes (Malachi 3:8-9, Ephesians 5:15-17).
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9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (verse 16).
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This is simple. Don't lie. Lying is also hating others, which connects it to murder (Proverbs 26:28).
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Also, don't believe lies or participate in religions, philosophies, or traditions based on lies (Revelation 22:15).
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And when you speak, speak the whole truth in a loving attitude (Ephesians 4:15,25).
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10. “You shall not covet...anything that is your neighbor's” (verse 17).
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Don't desire what belongs to someone else, and do not desire anything you're not permitted to have (this would mean do not desire any sin or anything of the sinful world (1 John 2:15-17).
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Do not be jealous or envious. Simply put, don't be bitter towards someone else because they have something you want.
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Also, do not entertain any desire that hinders you from exercising restraint or self-control (1 Corinthians 6:12-13). This includes gluttony. Do not be gluttonous, addicted to anything, or dependent on anything besides Christ for your contentment. A lack of contentment is connected to covetousness (Hebrews 13:5).
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Verses 18-21
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At one time God spoke to His people audibly and powerfully. Since this day, God has not spoken to mankind the same way. Why? Most people, some believers included, do not like or want what God really has to say. Many show it by not reading their Bible or not listening when the wise try to correct them. So God has required that we gradually grow in hearing His voice—which is now a quiet whisper—to show that we truly want it and will truly listen.
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Seek God diligently, pray to hear His voice always, and practice listening to the Spirit continually, and God will grant you greater hearing ability with time and growing patience.
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The fear of God is good because it motivates us to turn away from sin. Do not despise the fear of God. Pray for it to intensify, as you get closer to God, and your obedience will increase also.
Verses 22-23
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Focus on listening to God's Word and the Spirit's voice. Don't focus on trying to make God visible with images or objects. Focus on hearing and applying the Word every day! This is how you honor God (Deuteronomy 4:10-19,36-40).
Verses 24-26
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Don't let your worship to God be touched with any human impurity, nor try to embellish worship with material things that don't matter to God.
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When you pray, sing to God, serve others, get in fellowship with believers, read the Word, etc., make sure that your motives are pure, that your heart is clean, and that you're not willingly continuing in any sin. Hidden sin and evil motives spoil worship.
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Also, don't think that making worship more “beautiful” in human ways means anything. Prettier scenery, better music, mood lighting...these things aren't important. God isn't interested in your human adornments. He wants your worship to be simple and from the heart (John 4:24).
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