Ten Words to Live By

1. The Ten Commandments: A Guide to Delighting in God's Law

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome."

A fresh perspective on obedience. The Ten Commandments are often viewed as restrictive rules, but they are actually a means of grace, enabling relationship with God and others. They provide a framework for living that leads to flourishing, both individually and communally.

From legalism to lawfulness. While legalism attempts to earn favor through obedience, lawfulness is the natural outworking of love for God. The Ten Commandments show us how to live holy lives as citizens of heaven while still on earth. They are not a burden, but a delight for those who trust in Christ.

A feast in the wilderness. Just as God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, Christ delivers us from slavery to sin. The Ten Commandments are like a feast spread in the wilderness, nourishing us for the journey to our true home.

2. Undivided Allegiance: Worshiping the One True God

"You shall have no other gods before me."

Exposing our idols. This commandment challenges us to examine what truly holds first place in our hearts. Modern idols often take the form of money, success, relationships, or comfort. Anything we trust or value more than God becomes an idol.

Practical monotheism. While we may intellectually affirm that there is only one God, we often live as functional polytheists. This command calls us to single-minded devotion, aligning our practical lives with our professed beliefs.

Questions for reflection:

• What do I turn to for security, significance, or satisfaction apart from God?
• Where do my thoughts and affections naturally gravitate?
• How might my use of time and resources reveal competing loyalties?

3. Undiminished Worship: Avoiding False Images of God

"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."

Beyond literal idols. While this command certainly prohibits physical idols, it goes deeper to address how we conceive of God in our minds and hearts. Any attempt to reduce God to something manageable or manipulatable diminishes true worship.

Embracing mystery. Our finite minds cannot fully comprehend the infinite God. This command invites us to worship in humility, acknowledging that God is greater than our understanding. It challenges us to let God be God, rather than fashioning Him according to our preferences.

Image-bearers, not image-makers. Instead of creating false images of God, we are called to reflect His image in the world. As we grow in Christlikeness, we become living representations of God's character to those around us.

4. Untarnished Name: Honoring God's Character in Speech

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain."

Beyond profanity. This command is about more than avoiding certain words. It calls us to align our speech with God's character, refusing to use His name to manipulate, deceive, or further our own agendas.

Representing God accurately. As bearers of God's name, our words and actions reflect on Him. This command challenges us to speak and live in ways that honor God's reputation in the world.

Areas to examine:

• Prayer: Do we make promises to God we don't intend to keep?
• Testimony: Do we exaggerate God's work in our lives?
• Teaching: Do we confidently assert things about God that Scripture doesn't clearly support?
• Daily speech: Do our words reflect reverence for God?

5. Unhindered Rest: Embracing the Sabbath as Life-Giving

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."

Rest as resistance. In a culture that glorifies busyness, observing Sabbath is a countercultural act. It declares our trust in God's provision and our recognition of human limitations.

More than leisure. Sabbath is not merely about relaxation, but about reorientation. It's a time to cease striving, remember God's goodness, and realign our hearts with His purposes. True Sabbath rest extends beyond personal refreshment to ensuring rest for others in our sphere of influence.

Practical steps for Sabbath-keeping:

• Predict: Plan ahead to minimize work on your chosen day of rest
• Prepare: Complete necessary tasks beforehand
• Partake: Intentionally engage in worship, rest, and life-giving activities
• Provide: Consider how your rest can enable rest for others

6. Honoring Elders: Respecting Authority and Wisdom

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you."

Beyond childhood obedience. This command extends throughout life, calling us to respect and care for aging parents. It also applies more broadly to honoring those in authority and valuing the wisdom of elders in our communities.

A countercultural stance. In a youth-obsessed culture, this command challenges us to recognize the value and dignity of older generations. It invites us to learn from their experiences and to ensure they are treated with respect.

Ways to honor elders:

• Seek their counsel and listen to their stories
• Advocate for their needs and rights in society
• Include them in community life and decision-making
• Express gratitude for their contributions

7. Preserving Life: Moving Beyond Anger to Love

"You shall not murder."

The heart of the matter. Jesus expands on this command, showing that anger and contempt are the root of murder. This challenges us to examine not just our actions, but our attitudes toward others.

From not-murderer to life-giver. An expansive obedience to this command calls us to actively preserve and promote life. This includes standing against injustice, caring for the vulnerable, and working for the flourishing of all people.

Practical applications:

• Resist dehumanizing language and attitudes
• Advocate for the dignity of all human life, from conception to natural death
• Work to dismantle systems of oppression and violence
• Cultivate a heart of compassion and forgiveness

8. Cherishing Marriage: Combating Lust with Contentment

"You shall not commit adultery."

The sanctity of covenant. This command upholds the sacredness of the marriage covenant, recognizing its role in reflecting God's faithful love. It calls us to honor marriage, whether we are married or single.

Addressing the root. Jesus connects adultery with lust, challenging us to guard our hearts and minds. This invites us to cultivate contentment and to view others as whole persons, not objects for consumption.

Strategies for purity:

• Develop accountability relationships
• Practice gratitude for what you have
• Limit exposure to tempting media
• Cultivate non-sexual intimacy in friendships
• For married couples: Prioritize emotional and physical intimacy

9. Respecting Property: From Taker to Giver

"You shall not steal."

Beyond literal theft. This command addresses not just outright stealing, but any way we might unjustly acquire what belongs to another. This includes intellectual property, time theft at work, and exploiting others for personal gain.

Cultivating generosity. The positive counterpart to this command is developing a spirit of generosity. Instead of taking, we are called to give freely and to use our resources for the good of others.

Areas to examine:

• Workplace integrity: Are we giving our employer a full day's work?
• Intellectual honesty: Do we give proper credit for ideas and content?
• Financial stewardship: Are we using our resources in ways that bless others?
• Time management: Are we respecting others' time and boundaries?

10. Guarding Reputation: Speaking Truth in Love

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

The power of words. This command recognizes the immense power our speech has to build up or tear down. It calls us to be people of truth, refusing to participate in gossip, slander, or misrepresentation.

Proactively honoring others. Beyond simply avoiding falsehood, this command invites us to actively speak well of others. It challenges us to defend the reputations of those who are maligned and to celebrate the good we see in others.

Practical steps:

• Verify information before passing it on
• Speak directly to people about issues, rather than talking behind their backs
• Look for opportunities to praise and encourage others
• When criticism is necessary, do it privately and constructively

11. Cultivating Contentment: Overcoming Covetousness

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."

The root of discontent. Covetousness often stems from comparison and a sense of entitlement. This command invites us to find our satisfaction in God rather than in possessions or circumstances.

Learning contentment. Like Paul, we can learn to be content in any situation. This involves cultivating gratitude, trusting God's provision, and finding our identity in Christ rather than in what we own or achieve.

Strategies for contentment:

• Practice regular gratitude
• Limit exposure to advertising and social media that fuel discontentment
• Focus on serving others rather than acquiring more for yourself
• Celebrate others' blessings instead of resenting them
• Regularly remind yourself of your identity and inheritance in Christ

Last updated: December 20, 2024