Verses about the Ten Commandments for practical application in prayer.
The 10 Commandments, given to Moses by God, are the foundation of Christian morality, the ultimate guide from our Abba Father. The first five commandments are focused on our relationship with God, while the last five commandments deal with our relationship with our fellow human beings.
Have you ever wondered about the deeper meaning behind each commandment? How does it relate to our daily walk with God? In this blog post, we will explore the 10 Commandments and their significance through other Bible verses that provide insight and understanding. These verses are a fantastic place to start if you are struggling to cover the circumstances in which you are struggling to hold these or tempted to break these.
"You shall have no other gods before me." - Exodus 20:3
The first commandment is clear - we should place no other gods before our Lord. This means we should not worship any other deity or put our faith in anything other than God Almighty. In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms this commandment when he says, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve" (Matthew 4:10). As Christians, we must keep our focus on God and not let worldly distractions or idols take His place in our lives.
"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything" - Exodus 20:4
This commandment asks us to not make images of false gods or idolise anything in our lives and worshiping them. In the New Testament, we are reminded that "we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). We should not rely on what we can see around us (e.g. the success of others, the freedom of others, etc), but rather trust in God's word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" - Exodus 20:7
The third commandment is a call to reverence and respect for God's name. We should not use God's name carelessly or in a disrespectful manner. In the New Testament, we learn that the name of Jesus Christ is worthy of our highest praise: "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). Let us honour and glorify the name of our Lord in everything we do.
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" - Exodus 20:8
The fourth commandment is a reminder to set aside one day a week for rest and worship. In the New Testament, we find that Jesus himself observed the Sabbath and taught us that "the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28). Let us follow his example and use our Sabbath day to worship, fellowship with other believers, and reinvigorate our faith. This commandment is for our benefit so that each week we can walk in confidence, love and peace.
"Honour your father and your mother" - Exodus 20:12
The fifth commandment is a call to respect and care for our parents. It extends beyond just our biological parents to include all those who have cared for us and helped us grow in faith. In the New Testament, Paul reminds us to honour our parents so that "it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land" (Ephesians 6:3). Let us show gratitude and appreciation to those who have nurtured us.
“Thou shall not murder” – Exodus 20:13
The Bible teaches us that all human life is precious and created in God’s image. That’s why taking someone’s life is a direct affront to God. The act of murder is not limited to taking someone’s physical life, but also their reputation, honour, and dignity. Romans 13:9 reiterates that we should love our neighbour as ourselves, and this includes not harming them in any way.
“Thou shall not commit adultery” – Exodus 20:14
Adultery is the act of being unfaithful to your spouse/significant other with another person. This commandment is very important because it protects the sanctity of marriage and committed relationships. Marriage is a covenant before God, and when we break this covenant, we not only hurt ourselves and our spouse but also offend God. Hebrews 13:4 reminds us that marriage should be honoured by all. In committed relationships when you commit to another you are committing to respecting them, so respect them by not going after others, or respect them by breaking it off.
“Thou shall not steal” – Exodus 20:15
Stealing is taking something that doesn’t belong to you without permission. It could be something as small as taking a pen from work or as big as committing fraud. Stealing is wrong because it violates your integrity and has the potential to harms others. The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 11:1 that a false balance is an abomination to the Lord. This means that cheating, dishonesty, and stealing are not pleasing to God.
“Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour” – Exodus 20:16
This commandment prohibits lying and spreading unjust rumours about someone. God values honesty and truthfulness, and this commandment emphasizes the importance of not bearing false witness against our neighbour. Our words have the power to destroy someone’s reputation, and we must be careful about what we say. Proverbs 6:16-19 reminds us that there are six things the Lord hates, and one of them is a false witness who pours out lies.
“Thou shall not covet” – Exodus 20:17
Coveting is the desire to possess something that belongs to someone else. It’s the opposite of contentment and promotes envy, greed, and jealousy. This commandment is important because it reminds us that our focus should be on God and His will for our lives, rather than on acquiring material possessions. In Philippians 4:11-12, Paul talks about learning to be content in every situation and trusting in God’s provision.
As Christians, we are called to follow the commandments given by God. The ten commandments teach us to love and respect one another and God, and to avoid sinful behaviours that harm ourselves and others. These commandments are not meant to restrict us, but to guide us into a loving relationship with God and others. Let us remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:37-40, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Reflection Questions
How does using scripture help us keep the 10 commandments?
What are your thoughts on the various interpretations of the 10 Commandments?
Do you think there are any differences between how the 10 Commandments were intended in the Bible and how they are interpreted today?
Don't forget to share your favourite verse for this topic in the comments!
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