The Ten Commandments are very important for our lives, as they were from the beginning. When the Lord God spoke unto Moses in Mount Sinai, and gave unto Him these commands, it was to show the people His laws. These commandments were of heaven and not of earthly origin, and God’s desire was to lead people on the right path. If they were to obey Him, then heaven would be there destination also. However, if the children of Israel were to learn to obey God, then they needed to also have His commands written upon their hearts. They needed to know that God is our guide in life and to trust in Him with our whole hearts. In doing this, we are governed by God and not man. Now, in studying God’s ten commandments, they may seem difficult to obey at first, but are made easy when the Spirit of God is with us. Here is why. When the Lord is abiding in us, then we are also serving Him alone. We aren’t bowing down to anyone or anything but God, who saves. We make time for the Lord, our God, therefore, there are no idols in our lives. We lift up His Name and would never tear it down. We remember Him all our days and therefore, His holiness abides in us. His love embodies who we are, therefore, our parents are also honored. With the Holy Spirit, we only want to love on people and killing is never an option. Since we are protected by God’s armor, there is no more lust for others, but the love of God. He protects us from temptations and we are now focused on giving, instead of stealing. Our character is different now and telling the truth in all situations is what we are built up to do. We don’t covet what other people have, but are content with the things of God in our lives. This is a life of a Christian and when doing such things, we are also obeying all ten of God’s commandments.
I mentioned what a Christian’s life is like and also incorporated each commandment into each statement above. I did this that you may distinguish what a true Christian is like from a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Each of the ten commandments are also laid out, at the bottom of this devotional, in Exodus, chapter 20. So I pray that you will read this chapter and study God’s commands in your mind, this way you will know them and always have them in your heart. Remember that in Exodus, chapter 19, the prerequisite of keeping God’s commandments is first being sanctified and washed by the blood of Jesus. If you have not experienced this in your life yet, then come unto Christ today, that You may be made clean. This way you will be able to turn from your sins and unto God. Doing this will help you understand the importance of God’s laws, that you may desire to keep them. It is God’s will to bless His people, as they walk in His ways. Even the Lord God spoke about forgiving those that honor and obey Him. He said, 1“and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:6) Now, in speaking of God’s ten commandments, 1“Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.” (Exodus 20:20) This is the reason why God gave us commandments. It was to point us to Him and to cause us to fear when we dishonor Him. As Moses said, it is here also to keep us from sinning. Those that are redeemed by the blood of Jesus are protected from the enemy, that they may sin not. It is only when we go our own way, is when the Spirit leaves us and our walk is in darkness. So if you want to be on God’s side, come unto Him fully, that You may learn to love His commands and desire to follow Him.
Let us pray:
Lord, I am so grateful for Your commandments. They have truly changed my life. As I have come unto You and have been washed and sanctified by Your blood, Jesus, my eyes have been opened to the importance of obeying You. The day that You forgave me of my sins and had mercy upon my soul did I learn that Your ways are holy, and now my eyes were fixed upon what is good and righteous. I didn’t want anything evil to overtake my soul and lead me to hell any longer, instead my desire was to be led by You, that every temptation would be distinguished and Your armor would protect me. And this desire has become a reality, because You abide in me. Because You are in my mind and my heart at all times, Your counsel is heard. Thank You for giving me the direction I need in life and to know You better each day. I love You Lord and obeying You is what I desire to do all my days. If I am doing anything that is against Your will now, please make this known to me. I only wish to obey You and never dishonor You. You are too important to me Lord, so falling into willful sin is out of the equation. I will not let the enemy take me down, for I know that You will keep me strong in the faith. I may not be capable of achieving the goals that You have set forth in my life, but with Your love abiding within me, I can do all things by Your hand. I may be weak in the flesh, but I am also made strong in the Spirit. You have changed my whole life and now I have the power to fight against sin and win the battle. Because You have a hand in my life, my heart and soul is upon You. I love every law that You have set forth and desire for us to keep now. This I know and will keep Your commands dear to my heart, because I need more of Your will in my life and less of the world. Keep me clean and spotless from the lusts of the flesh. I love You Lord and trust in You in all things. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Exodus 20 (KJV)
1 And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
13 Thou shalt not kill.
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15 Thou shalt not steal.
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
22 And the Lord said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
23 Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.
24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
