Exodus 20:17 (Amplified Bible)
You shall not covet your neighbor's house, your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.
This is a tough one, especially for a person who's immersed in a culture powered by consumerism. The American Dream is all about a person's level of status and accumulation of stuff that goes along with it. "He who dies with the most toys wins, right?" Maybe that tongue-in-cheek phrase works for some people, but it's an unnatural fit for a Christian.
I've personally struggled with this commandment many times throughout my life. It becomes especially difficult when it feels like I'm going nowhere fast, while others around me seem to easily obtain the very things in life that I want for myself, or for my family. It's selfish and sad, but I know I'm not alone. When we're jealous of others, or spend our time wanting what other people have, it takes our focus off of the important things in life. We become restless and dissatisfied with just about everything when we're consumed by covetousness. It deeply affects our relationships with our families, friends and with God.
Like all of the preceding nine commandments, this one is also addressing a heart issue.
Thankfully, the Lord is working this out within me; to be happy for those around me, instead of being jealous of their level of success. He's helping me value interpersonal relationships more than the prospect of acquiring material things, or landing higher salaries. I'm learning to be content with what I have, and treasure who I have in my life today.
Good Night
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The Ninth Commandment
Exodus 20:16 (The Message)
No lies about your neighbor.
This commandment sounds simple, right? It can be, but sometimes it's difficult to apply.
If you're a witness in a court of law, telling the truth about people, their character and situations in which they're involved is paramount. Because of the laws instituted by the Government (and the punishments assigned to violating those laws), almost everyone will willingly tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
However, how do we operate under God's holy law?
At the water cooler, conversations with coworkers can quickly change to gossip about fellow peers or supervisors. In most cases, it's usually targeting those who don't happen to be within earshot at the time, or people who are generally unsavory to the crowd. Often, juicy rumors and jokes start out in a harmless way, embedded in truth. But with each twist or embellishment, they begin to spread like wildfire. The victims of these acts usually have no idea of the negative light they've been cast into, until damage has been done, or respect has been lost.
Proverbs 16:28 (The Message)
Troublemakers start fights; gossips break up friendships.
So, before you open your mouth to speak about someone else (trust me, I'm saying this to myself as well), consider whether or not the words are truthful. If they're not pure, consider keeping them to yourself.
Good Night
No lies about your neighbor.
This commandment sounds simple, right? It can be, but sometimes it's difficult to apply.
If you're a witness in a court of law, telling the truth about people, their character and situations in which they're involved is paramount. Because of the laws instituted by the Government (and the punishments assigned to violating those laws), almost everyone will willingly tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
However, how do we operate under God's holy law?
At the water cooler, conversations with coworkers can quickly change to gossip about fellow peers or supervisors. In most cases, it's usually targeting those who don't happen to be within earshot at the time, or people who are generally unsavory to the crowd. Often, juicy rumors and jokes start out in a harmless way, embedded in truth. But with each twist or embellishment, they begin to spread like wildfire. The victims of these acts usually have no idea of the negative light they've been cast into, until damage has been done, or respect has been lost.
Proverbs 16:28 (The Message)
Troublemakers start fights; gossips break up friendships.
So, before you open your mouth to speak about someone else (trust me, I'm saying this to myself as well), consider whether or not the words are truthful. If they're not pure, consider keeping them to yourself.
Good Night
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Eighth Commandment
Exodus 20:15 (New International Version)
“You shall not steal."
Most of us were brought up to understand that it's wrong to steal. Usually, theft equated to things like money, cars, or material goods from the local department store. As children, we would envision thieves as "bad men" who wore black and donned masks while they committed their offenses. They were easy to identify, and even easier to separate from ourselves. We didn't want to be anything like them- and we aren't, right?
Have you ever taken a pen from the office? What about taking an extra long, unauthorized lunch break? How about borrowing something from a friend, but never actually returning it? These seemingly "little things" are no less dishonest than the crimes committed by the bandits of our childhood imagination. Stealing anything, no matter how small, is wrong.
Good Night
“You shall not steal."
Most of us were brought up to understand that it's wrong to steal. Usually, theft equated to things like money, cars, or material goods from the local department store. As children, we would envision thieves as "bad men" who wore black and donned masks while they committed their offenses. They were easy to identify, and even easier to separate from ourselves. We didn't want to be anything like them- and we aren't, right?
Have you ever taken a pen from the office? What about taking an extra long, unauthorized lunch break? How about borrowing something from a friend, but never actually returning it? These seemingly "little things" are no less dishonest than the crimes committed by the bandits of our childhood imagination. Stealing anything, no matter how small, is wrong.
Good Night
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Seventh Commandment
Exodus 20:14 (New Living Translation)
“You must not commit adultery."
Flip on the news, and chances are you'll see a story of such-and-such celebrity caught cheating on their spouse. Go to work, and if you listen carefully, you'll likely hear stories of infidelity percolating over the tops of cubicle walls. Have a fight with your husband or wife, and you may find yourself wondering what it would be like "on the other side of the fence".
Don't even think about it.
Obviously, the act of adultery is the ultimate betrayal of marriage. But did you realize that even thinking about another person lustfully qualifies as adultery, if you're married? Fiery darts and thoughts which "pop" into our heads aren't going to condemn us, however we must be careful to hold them captive. Remember my statement of "seeds" and "weeds" last night? It's related to tonight's message as well. You don't necessarily need to act on the impulse today, to be guilty in God's eyes; if your heart is already committed to wandering, it's only a matter of time until what you've continually envisioned becomes manifest in the physical world. Once your heart has shifted, your "preparedness" will meet "opportunity" when it arises. You would have cheated, long before you'd "cheated".
Matthew 5:28 (New International Version, ©2010)
"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Good Night
“You must not commit adultery."
Flip on the news, and chances are you'll see a story of such-and-such celebrity caught cheating on their spouse. Go to work, and if you listen carefully, you'll likely hear stories of infidelity percolating over the tops of cubicle walls. Have a fight with your husband or wife, and you may find yourself wondering what it would be like "on the other side of the fence".
Don't even think about it.
Obviously, the act of adultery is the ultimate betrayal of marriage. But did you realize that even thinking about another person lustfully qualifies as adultery, if you're married? Fiery darts and thoughts which "pop" into our heads aren't going to condemn us, however we must be careful to hold them captive. Remember my statement of "seeds" and "weeds" last night? It's related to tonight's message as well. You don't necessarily need to act on the impulse today, to be guilty in God's eyes; if your heart is already committed to wandering, it's only a matter of time until what you've continually envisioned becomes manifest in the physical world. Once your heart has shifted, your "preparedness" will meet "opportunity" when it arises. You would have cheated, long before you'd "cheated".
Matthew 5:28 (New International Version, ©2010)
"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Good Night
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Sixth Commandment
Exodus 20:13 (Amplified Bible)
You shall not commit murder.
Even in this age of moral decay, most people still agree that murder is the single-most horrible thing one human being can do to another. Most of us wouldn't even consider killing someone else, unless it were in the name of self-defense, or if there were an imminent threat against our family.
But what about harboring feelings of anger or hatred towards someone else? What about the people that have wounded us deeply on any number of levels, do we want them to die? While we may not profess to want to end their lives, the Lord is pretty clear that these feelings and the act of murder are of the same kind. If murder is the fully grown "weed", hatred and anger are the "seeds".
Knowing this, we truly need to monitor the condition of our hearts and minds at all times. We need to start today, because weeds are easy to uproot and remove when they're small. However, the longer they're allowed to mature and sprawl, their roots are much harder to remove.
We must forgive one another for our own benefit. Forgiveness is for us; when we let someone "off of the hook" for something they've done, the act of forgiving them will actually begin to clean up and heal our hearts. It affords the ability to "let go" and effectively purge any anger, rage, hate or pain that we may be holding on to.
Matthew 5:21-22 (The Message)
21-22"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
Good Night
You shall not commit murder.
Even in this age of moral decay, most people still agree that murder is the single-most horrible thing one human being can do to another. Most of us wouldn't even consider killing someone else, unless it were in the name of self-defense, or if there were an imminent threat against our family.
But what about harboring feelings of anger or hatred towards someone else? What about the people that have wounded us deeply on any number of levels, do we want them to die? While we may not profess to want to end their lives, the Lord is pretty clear that these feelings and the act of murder are of the same kind. If murder is the fully grown "weed", hatred and anger are the "seeds".
Knowing this, we truly need to monitor the condition of our hearts and minds at all times. We need to start today, because weeds are easy to uproot and remove when they're small. However, the longer they're allowed to mature and sprawl, their roots are much harder to remove.
We must forgive one another for our own benefit. Forgiveness is for us; when we let someone "off of the hook" for something they've done, the act of forgiving them will actually begin to clean up and heal our hearts. It affords the ability to "let go" and effectively purge any anger, rage, hate or pain that we may be holding on to.
Matthew 5:21-22 (The Message)
21-22"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
Good Night
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Fifth Commandment
Exodus 20:12 (Amplified Bible)
Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you.
This verse was invented for teenagers. Although it doesn't apply to absolutely everyone, I speak from experience when I say the lion's share of my youth was spent dishonoring my parents. I was foolish. I was careless. I broke not only this commandment, but several others in the process. I'm not proud of it, but it is the reality that was my childhood. And yet in comparison to some children of this generation, my actions were relatively mild. This is disheartening.
Only now can I begin to relate to what my parents must have felt; having to process all of the complexities of running a household; juggling work, meals, chores, debt and interpersonal relationships. All of the ramifications of my struggles in school, moral dilemmas and silly choices were the proverbial "icing" on the cake. And to think, I've got four times as many children as my parents did!
Is it important to honor our fathers and mothers as adults? If you stop and think about it, you'll see that this commandment isn't just for kids. As adults, our choices, actions and demeanor reflect not only on our own lives, but also the lives of our families. Our last name represents our family line. Likewise, we also bear the name God in our heart. Let's dedicate ourselves to living a life that makes him proud. In turn, we're promised a long and fruitful life.
Good Night
Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you.
This verse was invented for teenagers. Although it doesn't apply to absolutely everyone, I speak from experience when I say the lion's share of my youth was spent dishonoring my parents. I was foolish. I was careless. I broke not only this commandment, but several others in the process. I'm not proud of it, but it is the reality that was my childhood. And yet in comparison to some children of this generation, my actions were relatively mild. This is disheartening.
Only now can I begin to relate to what my parents must have felt; having to process all of the complexities of running a household; juggling work, meals, chores, debt and interpersonal relationships. All of the ramifications of my struggles in school, moral dilemmas and silly choices were the proverbial "icing" on the cake. And to think, I've got four times as many children as my parents did!
Is it important to honor our fathers and mothers as adults? If you stop and think about it, you'll see that this commandment isn't just for kids. As adults, our choices, actions and demeanor reflect not only on our own lives, but also the lives of our families. Our last name represents our family line. Likewise, we also bear the name God in our heart. Let's dedicate ourselves to living a life that makes him proud. In turn, we're promised a long and fruitful life.
Good Night
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Fourth Commandment
Exodus 20:8-11 (Amplified Bible)
8[Earnestly] remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (withdrawn from common employment and dedicated to God). 9Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, your daughter, your manservant, your maidservant, your domestic animals, or the sojourner within your gates. 11For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it [set it apart for His purposes].
I gather a couple of things in these verses. First, it's important to rest. After a full week of working, it's vitally important to slow down, worship, reflect and recuperate. Secondly, God himself modeled this example for us to follow.
Think about that for a minute. We've all endured weeks of busy schedules, followed by weekends that seem to "Go, go go!", never affording downtime. Usually, we end up "zoning out" of life during these seasons, as to the point that we're no longer living, but simply surviving. We no longer work effectively, play well, think clearly or worship wholeheartedly when we're in this condition.
Honor the Sabbath day. Take a break, just as the Lord does.
Good Night
8[Earnestly] remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (withdrawn from common employment and dedicated to God). 9Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, your daughter, your manservant, your maidservant, your domestic animals, or the sojourner within your gates. 11For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it [set it apart for His purposes].
I gather a couple of things in these verses. First, it's important to rest. After a full week of working, it's vitally important to slow down, worship, reflect and recuperate. Secondly, God himself modeled this example for us to follow.
Think about that for a minute. We've all endured weeks of busy schedules, followed by weekends that seem to "Go, go go!", never affording downtime. Usually, we end up "zoning out" of life during these seasons, as to the point that we're no longer living, but simply surviving. We no longer work effectively, play well, think clearly or worship wholeheartedly when we're in this condition.
Honor the Sabbath day. Take a break, just as the Lord does.
Good Night
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