The Ten Commandments or Ten Words have been a standard of conduct down through history. How did Jesus apply them, in the letter or the Spirit? Let’s look at Exodus 20.
Then God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt— from the house of slavery. You are to have no other gods as a substitute for me. (Exodus 20:1-3 ISV)
Did Jesus turn the negative thou shalt not into a positive thou shalt?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:37-38 KJV Deuteronomy 6:5)
Did statues of cherubs in the tabernacle contradict the commandment against graven images, or were they not used as idols, not bowed down to, and therefore quite legitimate?
You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or 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 or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:4-6 ESV)
What should Christians do in regard to idols?
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:14 NASB)
What about God’s name? What about the common expression OMG?
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Exodus 20:7 NIV)
Some people have tried to avoid God’s name altogether, lest they accidentally blaspheme it. Did Jesus suggest the exact opposite of this by encouraging us to hallow God’s name?
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6:9 KJV)
Would a nation just freed from slavery, be grateful for a Sabbath rest? Is a rest day a good thing?
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. You shall labor six days, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh [the Lord] your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11 WEB)
Why is there no Sabbath command in the entire New Testament? Did Jesus teach something about a higher, spiritual rest?
Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 CEB)
How important is it to honor both our parents?
Respect [honor] your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you. (Exodus 20:12 CEV)
Did the church continue to uphold this commandment under the new covenant?
Children, obey your parents as you would the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land. (Ephesians 6:1-3 HCSB)
Is valuing human life relevant for Christians?
You are not to commit murder. (Exodus 20:13 ISV)
Did Jesus expand upon this commandment to include unrighteous anger and verbal abuse?
You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not murder’ and ‘Whoever murders shall be guilty before the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ [You idiot!] shall be guilty before the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. (Matthew 5:21-22 LSB)
Is having hate in our hearts a spirit of murder?
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15 KJV)
What about having sex with someone who is not your husband or wife?
You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14 NASB)
What did Jesus have to say about adultery in the mind?
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28 NASB)
What commandment has to do with respect for private ownership of property?
You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15 WEB)
How is what Jesus taught us the exact opposite of theft?
The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest. (John 10:10 CEB)
What commandment would put a lot of advertising, politics, written history, and fake news to shame?
Do not tell lies about others. (Exodus 20:16 CEV)
What did Jesus say about false testimony?
Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:33-37 ESV)
Did the old covenant have anything to say about what was in our hearts?
Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Exodus 20:17 HCSB)
How did Jesus teach us to deal with anxieties over necessities?
So don’t ever worry by saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ because it is the unbelievers who are eager for all those things. Surely your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them! But first be concerned about God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well. So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:31-34 ISV)
Were the people afraid of God’s manifestations on the mount?
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. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 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. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. (Exodus 20:18-21 KJV)
What did God say in regard to worship? Would any of this apply in principle for the church?
Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. You shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves. You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. And if you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it. And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.’ (Exodus 20:22-26 LSB)
The Ten Commandments or Ten Words have been a standard of conduct down through history. How did Jesus apply them, in the letter or the Spirit? You decide!
