The Morality of the Ten Commandments

1. The Morality of the Ten Commandments What Can the Ten Commandments Teach Us About Living A Moral Life?

2. The Ten Commandments as a Moral Code • At first glance, the Ten Commandments seem to be extremely negative, with the many “shall nots,” “do nots” and “cannots” restricting human activities. • Instead, the Ten Commandments are meant to free human beings for other activities. • In this way, the Ten Commandments are similar to the restriction of the Garden of Eden, which freed humanity to try a vast variety of different trees. • It is up to human beings to see what is possible, instead of focusing on what is not possible.

3. “I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me.” • Do I honestly have faith in God, and place God at the center of my life? • Are my priorities material things, work, school or things not related to God?

4. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” • Do I choose not to take the Lord’s name in vain, or do I use it for drama? • Do I choose not to use offensive language? • Do I use offensive language because other people use it in conversation or in the media?

5. “Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Sabbath day.” • Do I attend church or religious services on the weekend? • Do I spend time in positive activities, take a rest and not obsess or work extra hours (not scheduled)? • Do I have a chance to share time with family or enjoy God’s gifts, such as nature, family dinner, music or reading?

6. “Honor your father and mother.” • Do I speak of, and to, my parents with respect? • Do I spend time with them and offer them help? • Do I show respect, honesty and healthy communication patterns toward my parents, grandparents and family?

7. “You shall not kill.” • Do I avoid the negative influence of watching violent behavior in television or movies? • Do I glorify violence? • Do I believe in abortion, euthanasia or capital punishment (“the Death Penalty?”) • Do I wish harm to others?

8. “You shall not commit adultery.” • Have I been unfaithful in body? • Have I chosen to use pornography or otherwise participated in virtual or real online relationships outside of marriage? • Have I cheated on my boyfriend? • Have I used God’s gift of sexuality in a spirit of experimentation? • Have I used sex to get something I wanted?

9. “You shall not steal.” • Have I ever taken something from another person without them knowing? • Have I ever cheated, on a test, on a boyfriend, on a family member? • Have I ever seen someone stealing and not said anything?

10. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” • Do I speak untruths about other people? • Do I spread rumors? • Do I gossip about people? • Do I speak behind people’s back? • Do I lift myself up by putting others down? • When an untruth is being spoken, do I stand up for that person?

11. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s spouse.” • Do I think of my spouse as my one and only lover? • Do I accept all aspects of my spouse? • Do I wish my spouse was more like other people? • Do I lust after or obsess over other people?

12. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods and possessions.” • Am I grateful for the life I have? • Am I grateful for the family I have? • Am I grateful for the home I have? • Am I grateful for the faith I have? • Am I jealous of others’ things or good fortune? • Do I obsess over what I don’t have?

13. The Ten Commandments as a Way of Life • The Ten Commandments are a reference point to teach life lessons. • Commandments 1, 2 and 3 explain the balanced relationship between people and God. • Commandment 4 explains the balanced relationship between generations. • Commandments 5, 6, 7 and 8 explain the balanced relationship between people within a community. • Commandments 9 and 10 explain the balanced relationship between healthy and unhealthy desires within an individual. • The Ten Commandments become the raw material that both children and adults can use to learn how to behave in balance and grow in maturity.