By Carol Sewell

The Ten Commandments

God gave us the Ten Commandments as a standard by which to live. At that time in history, man was doing what was right in his own eyes. Today, most of our laws as well as those of other nations are based on these commandments whether the government leaders admit it or not. Before going any further, take a brief look at the ten simple rules God put into place for us and for the good of society in Exodus 20:1-17.

1. You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3). We are to worship the one true God. Why? Because He is a Holy God and a jealous God, He wants our affection and attention first before anything else.  Nations who worship God will experience the blessing of stability, peace and security.  He meets the needs of those who worship Him and helps them reach their true potential.  When we honor Him, we honor and respect ourselves.  Sadly, today, “self” is the god honored by many. Actually, many false gods are worshiped within our nation. We have the gods of intellect, psychology, materialism, self-help, environmentalism and even the god of tolerance/multiculturalism.

2. 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: you shall not bow down to them nor serve them (Exodus 20:4-6). Because of the massive influx of immigrants from around the world, an abundance of world religions that worship idols has permeated our American culture. Political correctness harnesses the truth from going forth by labeling anyone who protests as narrow minded and bigoted. It has become un-American to criticize anyone’s religion, unless it is Christianity. For example, pastors have been subject to investigations (for possible hate speech) for speaking the truth about Islam.

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain (Exodus 20:7). We are to honor God’s Name.  There are many ways to dishonor or take God’s name in vain besides using it with a curse word.  Surprisingly, it is quite common for Christians to use God’s name in vain. Some use God’s name to manipulate other people with words like “God told me…” Others utilize Christian lingo when trying to impress others or to entice new business. You dishonor the name of God when you claim to be Christian but live like the world.  When we honor the name of God, we experience the blessing of His presence, as our transformed spirits become a blessing to others.  We show forth His righteousness in the earth.  Is your life honoring God’s name?

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (Exodus 20:8-11). God wants us to set aside one day a week to worship Him and rest from our work. This refreshment prepares us for a new week physically and spiritually. This nation used to honor God on Sundays by closing all businesses (blue laws), however, in the early 1960’s, the Supreme Court ruled that these blue laws should be under the control of the individual states. That single ruling began the demise of honoring God on the Sabbath. Today, it is a day of sports, shopping and movies to many across the country.

5. Honor your Father and your Mother (Exodus 20:12). The only commandment with a promise, God will bless us with long life if we honor our parents. Today, honoring your father and mother is an offense to many in the United States. “Modern” thinkers believe the “individual” is supreme and independent. Over the past 50 years, parental authority has systematically been undermined.  The world has failed to recognize that strong families governed by loving and firm parents, work to everyone’s best interest by creating healthy and productive, self-governing individuals.  To Jesus, this commandment also included caring for elderly parents when they can no longer care for themselves. (Also read Mark 7:9-13.) 

   The last five commandments God set in place give a sense of peace within a community when one realizes there is an authority to prevent anyone from inflicting harm to life, property, marriage and reputation.

6. Respect Human Life – You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13).In God’s eyes, right to life is more important than personal freedom.  Protecting life was God’s first priority. When a person stands on the side of abortion, assisted suicide, and euthanasia, they are assuming the authority of God. By making decisions that obviously belong solely to Him, a person not only breaks the sixth commandment but the first commandment as well. When human life has no value, society becomes lawless and no one is safe. Jesus took this commandment a step further by including our thoughts and words as potentially being murderous. God judges our thoughts! (Read Matthew 5:21-22.)

7. Maintain Sexual Purity – You shall not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14). Next to life, our second most precious possession is marriage. During this very spiritual experience and commitment, one spouse becomes part of the other – one flesh. God established marriage in Genesis 2:24 and then showed its importance in Abraham’s life in Genesis 20. Even the heathen king in this passage considered adultery a great sin. Marriage is the vehicle that God created to uphold society. His chosen mechanism brings forth life and is essential for the care (provided by the father) and nurturing (provided by the mother) of the young. If the family is strong, society is strong. If the family structure is weak, society will ultimately collapse. Obeying the seventh commandment brings blessings personally, emotionally and spiritually.

8. Respect Other’s Property – You shall not steal (Exodus 20:15).Today, stealing occurs in more ways than commonly imagined. Thefts by corporate officers, burglary, armed robbery, shoplifting, embezzlement, petty thefts by employees, downloading unauthorized music via the internet, cheating to obtain a grade in school, identity theft, default of loans, false claims on expense reports, and wages (doing personal things when you are being paid to work) are running rampant.  

   The destructive concept of “entitlement” promotes the idea that we should receive remuneration we have not earned. This idea of entitlement (taking from the productive rich by force of law and giving to the poor) has its foundation in Marxism. Established on the Biblical worldview, American life promotes diligence and hard work as the road to success. By prohibiting us from stealing, God is pointing us in the direction of work. Work is a gift from God that allows us to be productive contributing members of society. If a man will not work, he shall not eat (II Thessalonians 3:10). (Also read Ecclesiastes 9:10 and Colossians 3:23.)

9. Tell the Truth –  You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16). When we bear false witness (lie), we hurt God as well as other people. God is declaring that He will hold us accountable for ruining the reputation and integrity of innocent people especially in a judicial proceeding that could take away their life, freedom or property. It also applies to lying in general. Gossip damages reputations. As a Christian, our word should be our bond. Truthfulness paves our public dealings and personal relationships with stability. In Matthew 5:37, Jesus instructed, Let your “yes” be “yes,” and your “no” “no.” According to Proverbs 22:1, A good name is more desirable than great riches, to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. (See also Ecclesiastes 7:1, Ephesians 4:29 and James 5:12.)  

10. Be Content with What You Have – You shall not covet your neighbors house or anything else that belongs to your neighbor (Exodus 20:17). Coveting in and of itself is not sinful. Paul instructs the church in Corinth to covet earnestly the best gifts (I Corinthians 12:31 KJV). Coveting something can be good or bad. As Christians with God as top priority in our lives, we should and will seek (covet) His attributes as well as His gifts. Our infinite God is enough for everyone. 

    When we put ourselves first, we seek to fill the “God void” in our lives with “things.” Our society actually promotes the bad aspect of coveting by its obsession with riches, fame, success and getting ahead at all costs. Many are never satisfied with the status quo and believe happiness lies in obtaining more. Politicians use envy to create division between the rich and the poor. They want to increase taxing the rich to provide more services to the poor or middle income groups. Politicians utilize this tactic to entice winning votes for their elections.   

    Most wars begin because one group covets what another possesses. Saddam Hussein looked across his border in 1991 and wanted Kuwait. In his day, Hitler had his eyes on all of Europe. These are just two examples of dictators who desired what belonged to others. In everyday life, we are often tempted to covet what we do not have. Christians must listen to God’s command to be content with His provision in each season of their lives. 

    The world’s attempt to eliminate absolutes from our vocabulary and lives affects our decisions by invading our thinking in very subtle ways. Unaware of these effects, a person may find they are not obeying any of the Ten Commandments.

    Woe to those who call evil good and good evil… 

    (Isaiah 5:20a)

    In Conclusion

    Now that we understand that God instituted human government, we will look at the development of a Biblical worldview, America’s Christian heritage, the founding documents, the constitution, the separation of powers, and the political process within the next few articles. Only by understanding your heritage will you be able to protect and defend it.  In addition, this reflection helps to prevent man from repeating mistakes of the past.

    Most Christians are aware of the legal battles waged over the Ten Commandments posted on public property. Those who are against this public display actually oppose God and do not want to be reminded that there are absolutes in His eyes. The truth of the matter is that scripture and the Ten Commandments are etched in stone all over Washington, DC. The Ten Commandments are inscribed both on and inside the Capitol Building, on the doors leading into the Supreme Court courtroom, and on the wall above the chairs where the Supreme Court judges sit. Indeed, scripture verses etched in stone are displayed throughout our nation’s capital. 

    The following quotes from two founding fathers confirm the general thinking of those great men who formed this union called the United States of America.

    “No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.” Noah Webster

    “The Christian religion is, above all the Religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of Wisdom, Virtue, Equity, and Humanity…it is Resignation to God, it is Goodness itself to Man.” John Adams

    Since 1777, every session of Congress has opened with a prayer from a man of God, a chaplain, with a salary paid by taxpayers. In addition, each Supreme Court session begins with a simple prayer acknowledging God.

    As you go through the next week, pay attention to what is happening within your city, your state, and this nation. Are there important issues not making headlines in favor of more tabloid gossip? What subjects are being ignored? What truths are being overshadowed by secular lies? How can you make a difference? Pay attention to the issues that make the headlines and consider alternate solutions to the issues. Take the problems to God in prayer. Seek His solutions to our societal problems.

This article written by Carol Sewell is the part of a series in which we explore the American system of government and its foundation in Biblical principles. You will find yourself equipped to articulate your beliefs, put them into action and pass them to the next generation.

Check out our Christians Engaged Store where Carol’s book “What Were They Thinking” is available for purchase.