God created boundaries for us in His Word and through His Spirit He will teach us. This is all for our good.

His rules and warnings are for our good. He knows the consequences and out of His love for us He advises us in the right direction by telling and teaching us the way not to go. Science proves all the time the effects of worry, anxiety, jealousy, anger, rage, as well as our thoughts and actions. These things go against Biblical teaching. Gossip, slander, foul language, murder, coveting, sexual immorality, lies, greed, envy, lust and others listed in His Word all have negative consequences. They all hurt us and others. 

Ten Commandments 

The first commandments God gave humanity were these ten rules. They were given to His people, the Israelites, and set them apart from other nations and peoples that did not have such a thing. At that time people did what they thought was right. God showed His people what was truly right. These still apply today to all people especially believers.

Exodus 20:1-17

God spoke all these words: 

      “I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 

   “You shall have no other gods before me.

   “You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water below.  

       You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children to the third and fourth generations of those who reject me,

       and showing covenant faithfulness to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 

   “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold guiltless anyone who takes his name in vain. 

   “Remember the Sabbath day to set it apart as holy. 

       For six days you may labor and do all your work,  

       but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God; on it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your cattle, or the resident foreigner who is in your gates.        

       For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, and he rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

       “Honor your father and your mother, that you may live a long time in the land the LORD your God is giving to you.

  “You shall not murder. 

  “You shall not commit adultery. 

  “You shall not steal. 

   “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 

  “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 

Other Gods

The Lord is the only God, creator of all things, beginning and end. He deserves all worship and praise. He is sovereign over all. (Isaiah 40:28)

God is a jealous God. Not jealous in the human way, not out of pride or greed or power. Instead it is because of His deep love for us. It is only through our looking to Him, trusting Him that we find everything we need in Him. God knows we will only find emptiness and hopelessness in anything else we put in place of Him in our lives. (Deuteronomy 4:24)

Yet it is so easy to replace God with things around us whether physical, emotional or even spiritual. God loving pulls us back to Him. He reminds us of Himself. (Ephesians 1:4, Romans 8:37)

God is the one who has always been there for us. He has helped us in many ways and times. We should not forget that. He is the power that works in and through us. (Isaiah 40:29-31, Psalm 136:23-26)

Idols

This ties into the above. Again God’s jealousy shows. God cannot be replaced and He should not be replaced. No matter how or what we replace Him with we will always find it falls tremendously short. God in His love only wants what is good. He knows the pitfalls of replacing Him.

God is just and fair. Both obedience and disobedience reach far into the future. The implications of our actions today aren’t short lived, but have far reaching consequences whether good or bad. Obedience brings blessing from God and disobedience brings separation from God and negative impact. God wants to bless and love us, not condemn and punish us. He would rather we turn back to Him for forgiveness. That we chose Him and not reject Him. Will you choose Him today? (Ezekiel 18:23)

Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain

This is disrespectful to God and who He is.  It undermines all God is and all He does on our behalf. He is our creator and sustainer. To take God’s name in vain is an insult.

This means any form that we may take God’s name in vain is wrong. Whether verbally or in thought. It shows a lack of understanding and respect for God. If we understood the magnitude of God we would not dare take His name in vain. 

Instead we should fear the Lord. Fear the Lord does not mean being afraid of Him, but rather out of awe and praise we give Him reverence in our hearts and minds and in our lives. Fear of the Lord, respect of the Lord is the beginning of true wisdom. (Psalm 128:4, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10)

The Sabbath 

God created everything in 6 days and rested on the seventh. Rest is good for us. We need rest. Our bodies, our minds and our souls. 

The Sabbath was looking forward for Christ. Through Christ we have rest for our souls. Through His Spirit we find peace. His Spirit lives in us continually, always. His Spirit is God’s gift and assurance of our salvation. In the Old Testament days God’s Spirit would come upon people at times but would then depart. In the last days God said He would pour out His Spirit on all people, all believers. Jesus said He would send His Spirit to teach believers and lead them in all truth. Through the Holy Spirit God inspired the writers of the Bible. (1 John 4:13, Acts 2:17-18)

Worship and rest were the focus of the Sabbath. It is good to take a break from our work, even work for God’s Kingdom. We were not meant to always be working. There needs to be a balance. It recharges and refocuses us. Resting and focusing on God brings perspective and clarity. Reflecting on what God has done for us and what He is currently doing through us initiates praise and gratitude in our hearts. 

In the New Testament Paul addresses concerns and questions about the Sabbath and the different Sabbath observations by believers. Christ is the reality of God’s rest. Through His sacrifice and Holy Spirit we can enter God’s rest. We can have God’s peace in our hearts. (Colossians 2:16-17, Romans 14:5-6, Hebrews 4:9-10, Hebrews 4:11)

Jesus was questioned about the Sabbath too. The Pharisees were about strict law keeping, but Jesus focused on truth and mercy. (Mark 2:23-24 Mark 2:25-27)

Honor Your Parents 

Whether our parents were our biological parents or family or adopted parents, they raised us. They tried to do what was best for us. They gave us safety and stability. They cared for us the best way they knew. We should honor that. 

Children should respect and honor their parents. Even though children can’t see or understand things like an adult they should obey their parents. Just as we walk with Christ as believers, we don’t always understand God’s intentions or instructions, but we are to trust and believe, because He is our Father spiritually. (Proverbs 3:5-6, Colossians 3:20, Ephesians 6:1-3)

In turn we should care for them because they cared for us. Jesus gave an example when on the cross He told one of His disciples to care for His earthly mother, Mary. (John 19:26-27)

But as in the first commandment we are to love and obey God above all else. He is to be first in our lives and hearts. We are to love all others second including ourselves. (Mark 10:29-30, Luke 9:57-58, Luke 9:59-60, Luke 9:61-62)

Just as we obey and honor God, we are to love to do the same for our earthly parents. He will bless us when we do just as we obey Him in our daily lives.

Murder

Life is precious. Life is given by God. We are created in the image and likeness of God. The taking of life goes against the very core of God. It destroys God’s creation. It destroys families and the lives of those who cared for them.

Cain was the first murderer when he killed his own brother, Able out of jealousy and anger. Emotions and thoughts can take deep root within us and lead to sin. God made Cain wonder throughout the earth. He marked Cain so that no one would kill him and face the wrath of God. Later when God gave the laws and regulations to the Israelites those who killed someone were to be put to death. (Genesis 4:9-10, Genesis 4:11, Genesis 4:12, Genesis 4:13-14, Genesis 4:15)

Jesus said hate equals murder. Even if we hold hatred in our hearts for someone, we are guilty. This is because thoughts and emotions can lead to evil actions. If we let bitterness, anger, jealousy, greed or other malicious thoughts and feelings into our minds and hearts they can become poison within us. They can grow to destroy us and others. ( Matthew 5:21, Matthew 5:22)

Adultery

Marriage is sacred. God gave marriage as a symbol of our relationship with Him and for companionship. Husbands and wives should love and respect each other just as Christ loves them. (Colossians 3:18-19)

Marriage is to be forever, until the end of life. It is a bonding together of two people. Adultery breaks this bond. It is utter unfaithfulness and corrupts the marriage. It hurts all people involved. (Hebrews 13:4)

The law of the Old Testament called for those caught in adultery to be stoned to death. It has serious consequences. The vows are broken and the sacredness is tarnished. God meant marriage to be a solid union of a man and woman. A representation of His love and relationship with us as His children. Christ is often referred to in the New Testament as the groom and the Church His body the bride. Christ will gather His Church at the end and we as believers will be His bride. (Ephesians 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:24-25, Ephesians 5:26-27, Ephesians 5:28-29, Ephesians 5:30-31, Ephesians 5:32-33)

God views marriage seriously. The commitment and vows are sacred. God also offers mercy and forgiveness even for this. Christ offered it to a woman caught in the act and the leaders wanted to test what Jesus would say. Instead of condemning her he told the crowd that those who had no sin could condemn her and stone her. Of course they all realized they were sinners and all went home. Jesus then told the woman He did not condemn her either and for her to go and leave her life of sin. (John 8:3, John 8:4-5, John 8:6, John 8:7-8, John 8:9, John 8:10-11)

Stealing 

Stealing robs others who God has made in His image. We were never meant to rob each other, but to work together for good. Stealing hurts others. It takes from them. It takes away the blessings God has given others. It removes from them what is rightfully theirs. (Romans 14:19)

It comes out of greed, jealousy and wanting what someone else has. God doesn’t want us to want because we already have everything we need in Him. (Psalm 23:1)

It robs both God and us. We are robbed of the satisfaction and joy of earning things ourselves. It also takes away the work and hard earned things from others. God is robbed of working in us and the blessings He gives. God can also be robbed of time, resources and honor when something is stolen whether physical or spiritual. (Ephesians 4:28)

False Witness 

Lying and deceit are only from the devil. They are not from God. God cannot lie and will never change. The Devil is the original liar from the beginning of time. (John 8:44)

Bearing false witness is a lie right to God. Giving testimony is like a vow, it is sacred and you are promising to tell the truth, the whole truth. By lying you are breaking your oath. You make an oath to God not to testify falsely and you break it if you lie. We are also lying about a fellow human being made in God’s image. False witness has great consequences and causes damage that cannot be undone. (Proverbs 14:5, Proverbs 14:25)

It not only can happen in a court setting, but also in life. Our neighbor is everyone around us, everyone that we come into contact with in our daily lives. If we lie about them in conversation to others we are falsely witnessing against them. When we lie or stretch the truth even about ourselves, our experiences, our testimony, our abilities, we are falsely witnessing. (Proverbs 6:19)

Coveting 

Wanting what others have creates anxiety and stress. We strive to be like everyone else. We push to have the things that others have. We want better, best, the latest tech or fashion. We are not content. There is no peace in our hearts when we constantly compete with others.

God has everything and more than we need or could ever want. He is our source. Everything comes from His hand. He is rich in everything. He will supply our needs when we trust Him and make Him our focus. (Philippians 4:19, James 1:17)

We are not to want what others have, but instead look to God and be content and at peace with what we have. To find our needs in Him alone. If we seek Him in all we do He will give us everything we need and more. We are to rest in Him. (Matthew 6:31-32, Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:12, Philippians 4:13)

The Most Important Commandments 

Jesus was asked what was the most important commandment. His reply narrowed all the commandments to just two. On these Jesus said hung all the laws of God. These are the keys to obeying God. (Matthew 22:36, Matthew 22:37-38, Matthew 22:39-40)

Love God

Love God above all else. Possessions, family, children, friends, colleagues, achievements, success, ambitions, desires, dreams, plans and everything else including ourselves are to be second. (Colossians 3:1-2, Matthew 19:29)

This is not natural and can only be done with God’s strength and guidance. Constant prayer, Bible reading and study, and letting God work in us everyday while humbly seeking Him first in our daily lives. This will lead to God being first in our hearts. (1 Chronicles 16:11)

Trust Him and sincerely seek Him each day giving up our way for His. (1 Corinthians 8:3)

Love Others 

When we love God we will love others easily. God will fill us with Himself and His love for others. We will radiate out God’s love to those around us. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

God will change our ways of thinking and living. He will give us His view and we will produce the fruit of the spirit in our lives. God will teach us how to have patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, peace, love, faithfulness, joy and self control in all we do. (Galatians 5:22)

Through God alone we can learn to truly love our neighbors as we walk with Him.

Fulfills the Law

When we learn and do these two things in our lives we fulfill all that God wants for us to live together in peace and harmony. Every law and regulation God gave the Israelites and every commandment He gives us through His Word are rooted in these two commandments.

God’s Love, Fairness & Goodness 

God’s boundaries are about His love and care for us. They are to benefit us, not harm us. God cares for us just like a loving parent cares for their child. God knows all things, understands all things and holds all things in His hands. We need to trust in His goodness and love for us.

Everything in God’s Word is written for our good. God wrote it through inspiration by His Spirit to the authors. God wrote it out of love for us. To give us guidance and instruction on how to live in Him. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Leviticus 19:11-14

Dealing Honestly 

“‘You must not steal, you must not tell lies, and you must not deal falsely with your fellow citizen. You must not swear falsely in my name, so that you do not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. You must not oppress your neighbor or commit robbery against your neighbor. You must not withhold the wages of the hired laborer overnight until morning. You must not curse a deaf person or put a stumbling block in front of a blind person. You must fear your God; I am the LORD. 

God’s Guidance Through His Word

God’s Word tells us many things that are not good for us, that are sin and go against God’s ways and will for us. God knows best. He tells us these things because He loves us. He is not trying to restrict us, but instead He knows the consequences and harm they will bring to us. These boundaries given by God in His Word help us.

Thoughts

This is where sin starts. In our minds we contemplate our life. Our actions, words, deeds and plans start in our thoughts. Jesus said that the flesh is weak but the Spirit is willing. We in our human nature cannot resist sin, but through God’s help and His Spirit within us we can be strengthened and overcome. (Matthew 26:41)

Actions

Thoughts can easily become actions from our hearts. Jesus said what is in our heart determines our words and actions. If we fill our hearts and minds with the thoughts and words of the world we fill our hearts with evil which produces more evil. If we let God fill us, He will change our hearts and minds into His thoughts and ways which will produce good. (Matthew 15:18-19, Romans 12:2)

Emotions 

God created us with emotions, but just like all good things they can become bad. Emotions can start to control us. They can consume us. Thoughts and emotions can deceive us into believing lies and false narratives. God gave us emotions so we can interact and feel our world and others. So we can rejoice with others and grieve with others. God should be the center of our lives and hearts. He should be the controlling force in our lives. Instead we can pour out our emotions to God who listens to our every prayer. (Romans 12:15, Psalm 62:8)

Motives

Greed, envy, jealousy, anger and more all contribute to motives for our actions. All these things God speaks against in His Word. God does not want them for us. They only produce misery and suffering for those consumed by them. God wants us to come to Him and bring everything to Him. To look to Him as our helper in all things. (Proverbs 14:30, Psalm 121:1-2, Hebrews 4:12)

God’s Commandments are Not Restrictions 

God’s Word is His words written to us out of His love for us. His Word is our guide. Through His Spirit we can interpret and be inspired by His Word. God knows the consequences of sin and in His love He warns us by giving us boundaries. He gives His commandments as boundaries to keep us safe.

When we listen and obey Him we find joy, hope, contentment, peace and harmony in Him. He is our source, our strength, our rock. He is our refuge, shelter and protector. He is faithful and true. (Proverbs 7:1-2, Proverbs 30:5, Proverbs 10:8)

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