The Ten Commandments: A Gift for Every Day

God didn’t give the Ten Commandments to restrict joy but to preserve it. Delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai, these commands are more than ancient laws—they’re gifts for daily life, shaping how we love God and serve our neighbor. As we reflect on the Ten Commandments, we see both a mirror exposing our sin and a map showing the path of godly living. Most of all, they prepare us to see our need for Christ, who fulfilled the Law perfectly for us.

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1. You Shall Have No Other Gods

“I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other.” (Isaiah 42:8)
Whatever claims your greatest affection—money, success, pleasure—becomes your god. The first commandment calls us to trust, love, and fear the Lord above all. When the heart is right with God, the rest of the commandments follow. Through Word and Sacrament, God gives Himself to us in Christ and stirs faith that trusts Him alone. (Matthew 4:10; Psalm 118:8)

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2. You Shall Not Misuse the Name of the Lord Your God

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” (Philippians 2:10)
God’s name is holy. It was placed on us in Baptism and it brings salvation. Misusing His name through cursing, false teaching, or frivolous swearing is sin. But calling on His name in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving is a holy gift. (Exodus 20:7; Ephesians 5:20)

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3. Remember the Sabbath Day by Keeping It Holy

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:16)
God invites us to rest in His Word. The Third Commandment isn’t just about a day off—it’s about gladly hearing and learning God’s Word. Christians gather regularly in church not to earn salvation, but to receive it. (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42)

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4. Honor Your Father and Your Mother

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” (Ephesians 6:1)
God places authority figures—parents, teachers, pastors, and government—for our good. Honoring them is part of honoring God Himself. When we resist rightful authority, we rebel against God’s order. (Romans 13:1; Proverbs 23:22)

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5. You Shall Not Murder

“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer.” (1 John 3:15)
All human life is sacred, from the womb to old age. This commandment forbids murder, but also anger, hatred, abuse, and neglect. God calls us to protect life, serve others with compassion, and forgive as we’ve been forgiven. (Matthew 5:22; Romans 13:4)

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6. You Shall Not Commit Adultery

“Marriage should be honored by all.” (Hebrews 13:4)
God’s gift of sexuality is to be used within marriage, a lifelong union between a man and a woman. This commandment is about more than avoiding affairs—it also calls for purity in thought, word, and deed. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20; Titus 2:11-12)

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7. You Shall Not Steal

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather labor… so that he may have something to share.” (Ephesians 4:28)
All we have belongs to God. Stealing includes cheating, withholding wages, and dishonest business. But this command also teaches generosity, encouraging us to help our neighbor protect and improve what’s theirs. (Philippians 2:4; 1 John 3:17)

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8. You Shall Not Give False Testimony

“Speak the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15)
Words can destroy reputations. Gossip, slander, and dishonesty are forms of false witness. God calls us to defend our neighbor, speak kindly, and put the best construction on everything. (James 4:11; 1 Peter 4:8)

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9 & 10. You Shall Not Covet

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Coveting goes beyond envy—it’s a restless discontent with what God has given us. These final commandments urge us to be thankful, rejoice in our neighbor’s success, and trust that God will provide for all our needs. (1 Timothy 6:6; Philippians 4:11)

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Why the Ten Commandments Still Matter

God uses the Ten Commandments in three ways:

• Curb – They restrain evil in the world.

• Mirror – They reveal our sin and show our need for a Savior.

• Guide – They show how God’s children live in grateful obedience.

Jesus Christ kept every commandment perfectly. He fulfilled the Law in our place and died for our disobedience. Now, by grace through faith, we are forgiven and made God’s children. The Law no longer condemns us, but it still teaches us. As we live in Christ’s mercy, the Ten Commandments guide us to love God and our neighbor.

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Conclusion: A Life of Mercy

We can’t keep God’s Law on our own. But Christ, our Mediator, did. Because of Him, we pray, “Have mercy, Lord!”—not with fear, but with faith. The commandments point us to our need, and Christ meets that need with grace. God’s gifts—His Law, His Gospel, His Sacraments—shape our lives for His glory and our neighbor’s good. For more information about making use of the Ten Commandments in your daily life, contact the church office or Pastor Braaten.