The Ten Commandments are among the most well-known passages of Scripture in the entire Bible. Written by the very finger of God on two tablets of stone and given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 31:18), they represent God’s eternal standard of righteousness.
These ten words are not just ancient laws for Israel, they are living principles that reveal the heart of God and His desire for His people to walk in holiness, love, and obedience.
In our fast-paced, ever-changing world, many wonder if these commandments are still relevant. Are they not just “Old Testament laws”? Yet Jesus Himself affirmed their eternal value when He declared: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17 KJV).
The Ten Commandments show us what it means to love God and love our neighbor. They provide a moral compass, a foundation for justice, and a guide for righteous living.
Christians point us to Christ, who is the perfect fulfillment of the law, and empower us through the Holy Spirit to live according to God’s will.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we study the Ten Commandments today, open our hearts to Your truth. Let these eternal words not feel like heavy burdens but as guiding lights that draw us closer to You. Teach us to walk in righteousness, love, and obedience. May every commandment reveal more of Your holiness and lead us to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. In His name we pray, Amen.
The Ten Commandments in the Bible (Exodus 20:1–17, KJV)
Before we reflect on each commandment, let us read them as God gave them:
And God spake all these words, saying,
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain…
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy…
Honour thy father and thy mother…
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Thou shalt not covet… (Exodus 20:1–17 KJV, abbreviated for brevity).
Each of these commandments reflects God’s character and His desire for His people to live in love, truth, and holiness.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for speaking these words directly to Your people. As we meditate on them, write them not only on tablets of stone, but on the tablets of our hearts. Give us grace not only to hear but also to live by them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Commandment 1: No Other Gods Before Me
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3 KJV)
This first commandment establishes the foundation of all true faith: God alone is to be worshiped. He is the Creator of heaven and earth, the Deliverer of His people, and the only true God. To place anything or anyone above Him is idolatry.
In our modern lives, idols are not always carved statues. They can be money, careers, relationships, or even self-interest. Anything that takes first place in our hearts above God becomes a “god” before Him.
Choosing to obey this commandment means making God the center of our worship, the Lord of our decisions, and the One we trust above all else.
Prayer for Loyalty to God
Lord God, You alone are worthy of my worship. Forgive me for the times I have placed other things above You in my heart. Help me to tear down every idol, whether seen or unseen, and to live with You as my first love. I declare today that You are my God, and there is no other. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Commandment 2: No Graven Images
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image” (Exodus 20:4 KJV)
This commandment warns against worshiping idols, whether physical images or false representations of God. The Lord is Spirit (John 4:24), and He desires to be worshiped in spirit and in truth.
While in biblical times people worshiped idols of wood, stone, or metal, today idolatry often comes in subtler forms: obsession with celebrities, dependence on possessions, or even a distorted image of God that we create to fit our preferences.
To obey this commandment means to worship God as He truly is, not as we imagine Him to be.
Prayer for Purity of Worship
Heavenly Father, cleanse my heart from every false image of You. Help me to worship You as You truly are, holy, mighty, merciful, and just. Keep me from the traps of modern idolatry, and teach me to set my eyes on Jesus, the perfect image of the invisible God. In His name I pray, Amen.
Commandment 3: Do Not Take the Lord’s Name in Vain
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7 KJV)
The name of God is holy, precious, and powerful. It represents His character and His glory. To take His name in vain is to use it carelessly, disrespectfully, or deceitfully. This includes using His name as a curse word, making false oaths, or speaking of Him in a way that dishonors His majesty.
But there is also a deeper meaning: when we claim to belong to the Lord but live in a way that denies Him, we dishonor His name. Our lives are meant to reflect His holiness, not bring reproach upon it.
Prayer for Reverence in Speech and Heart
Lord, Your name is holy, high above all names. Forgive me for every careless word I have spoken. Guard my lips from dishonoring You, and help my life to reflect Your holiness. May I glorify Your name in all that I say and do, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
Commandment 4: Remember the Sabbath Day
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8 KJV)
The Sabbath was given as a gift of rest and worship. After six days of creation, God Himself rested on the seventh day and blessed it (Genesis 2:2–3). This commandment teaches us that rest is not laziness but obedience, and worship is not optional but essential.
While Christians today may worship on different days, the principle remains: God calls His people to set aside time for Him, to rest from earthly striving, and to focus on His presence. In a world that glorifies busyness, the Sabbath reminds us that true peace comes from abiding in Christ.
Prayer for Rest and Renewal
Father, thank You for the gift of rest. Teach me to slow down and delight in Your presence. Help me not to chase the world’s busyness but to find peace in Your Word and worship. Renew my body, soul, and spirit as I honor You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Commandment 5: Honor Your Father and Mother
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12 KJV)
This is the first commandment with a promise: long life and blessing for those who honor their parents. To honor means to respect, obey, and care for them. Even when parents are imperfect, God calls us to show love and gratitude for the gift of family.
This commandment extends beyond the home, it teaches us to honor authority and respect the order God has established in society. A culture that dishonors parents will soon crumble, but a family rooted in love and respect reflects God’s design.
Prayer for Healing and Respect in Families
Lord, thank You for my parents and the family You placed me in. Help me to show love and respect to them in both word and action. Heal every broken family relationship and teach us to walk in forgiveness and honor. Let our homes reflect Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Commandment 6: Do Not Kill
“Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13 KJV)
This commandment affirms the sanctity of life. Human life is sacred because we are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). To murder another person is to strike against the Creator Himself.
But Jesus deepened this commandment in the Sermon on the Mount when He said that anger and hatred in the heart are also forms of murder (Matthew 5:21–22). This means the commandment not only forbids physical violence but also calls us to guard our hearts from bitterness, envy, and rage.
Prayer for Peace and Love
God of life, forgive me for every angry thought and bitter word. Cleanse my heart of hatred, and fill me with Your peace. Teach me to love others as You have loved me and to value life as Your sacred gift. Make me an instrument of peace in a world filled with violence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Commandment 7: Do Not Commit Adultery
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14 KJV)
Marriage is God’s covenant design, a union of faithfulness, love, and purity. Adultery violates this covenant and destroys the trust that holds families together. It dishonors God, harms spouses, and wounds children.
But Jesus again broadened this commandment: “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28 KJV). Purity, therefore, begins not in outward actions but in the heart and mind.
Prayer for Purity and Faithfulness
Lord, keep my heart pure and my eyes fixed on You. Guard me from temptation and strengthen me to walk in faithfulness. Bless marriages with love, forgiveness, and loyalty. Let Your Spirit purify my thoughts, words, and actions, so that I may live a life pleasing to You. Amen.
Commandment 8: Do Not Steal
“Thou shalt not steal.” (Exodus 20:15 KJV)
Stealing is more than taking someone else’s possessions. It includes cheating, dishonesty in business, laziness at work, or taking credit for what is not ours. At its root, stealing shows a lack of trust in God’s provision.
The apostle Paul encouraged believers: “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28 KJV). God calls us not only to avoid stealing but to become generous givers.
Prayer for Honesty and Contentment
Father, forgive me for any dishonesty in my life. Teach me to work diligently and trust in Your provision. Remove envy from my heart and replace it with gratitude. Make me a cheerful giver, reflecting Your generosity toward me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Commandment 9: Do Not Bear False Witness
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” (Exodus 20:16 KJV)
Truth is the foundation of trust in any relationship or community. Lies destroy reputations, sow division, and dishonor God, who is the God of truth.
This commandment calls us to live with integrity, not twisting facts, not spreading gossip, and not deceiving others for personal gain. Jesus said, “Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay” (Matthew 5:37 KJV). As followers of Christ, we are to be people of truth.
Prayer for Truthfulness and Courage
Lord, make me a person of truth. Keep me from gossip, slander, or deceit. Give me the courage to speak the truth in love, even when it is difficult. Let my words build others up and reflect Your light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Commandment 10: Do Not Covet
“Thou shalt not covet…” (Exodus 20:17 KJV)
Coveting is desiring what belongs to someone else, their possessions, spouse, success, or status. Unlike the other commandments, this one deals directly with the heart. Envy leads to discontent, jealousy, and even greater sins.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6 KJV). Contentment comes when we trust God’s plan and thank Him for what we have. Instead of coveting, we are called to rejoice in the blessings of others and live with gratitude.
Prayer for Contentment and Gratitude
Lord, deliver me from envy and greed. Teach me to be content with what You have given me. Open my eyes to see Your blessings in my life and to rejoice in the success of others. Fill my heart with gratitude and trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Conclusion: God’s Eternal Guide for Righteous Living
The Ten Commandments are more than ancient laws, they are God’s eternal guide for righteous living. They reveal His holiness, His will, and His desire for His people to live in love toward Him and toward one another.
While no one can keep them perfectly, they point us to Christ, who fulfilled the law on our behalf and gives us the Holy Spirit to walk in obedience.
As believers, we do not keep the commandments to earn salvation, but because we love the One who saved us. Jesus said,
“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15 KJV).
The Ten Commandments remain a timeless expression of God’s love, guiding us to live in holiness, integrity, and peace.
Let us therefore not see them as heavy burdens but as gracious signposts pointing us to a life that pleases God and blesses others. May we daily pray for strength to obey, grace to grow, and faith to walk in the Spirit.
Prayer of Blessing
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your eternal Word and Your holy commandments. Write them on our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit. Help us to walk in righteousness, to love You above all else, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
May our lives reflect Your holiness and bring glory to Your name. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
