The Ten Commandments |
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The First Commandment - You shall have no other gods. What does this mean?
We should fear, love and trust in God above all
things.
The Second Commandment - You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not curse,
swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in
every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
The Third Commandment - Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we don not despise
preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn
it.
The Fourth Commandment - Honor your father and your mother. What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we don not despise
or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey
them, love and cherish them.
The Fifth Commandment - You shall not murder. What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or
harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical
need.
The Sixth Commandment - You shall not commit adultery. What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually
pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and
honor each other.
The Seventh Commandment - You shall not steal. What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not take our
neighbor's money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but
help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.
The Eighth Commandment - You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not tell
lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation,
but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest
possible way.
The Ninth Commandment - You shall not covet your neighbor's house. What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not scheme
to get our neighbor's inheritance or house, or get it in an way which only
appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.
The Tenth Commandment - You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we don not entice
or force away our neighbor's wife, workers, or animals, or turn them
against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
What does God say about all of these commandments? He says, .I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,
punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth
generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand
generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments. (Exodus
20:5-6)
What does this mean?
God threatens to punish all who break these
commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything
against them. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep
these commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and
gladly do what He commands.
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