First Commandment:

'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.' (Ex 20:2-3) (KJV). This means we must fear and love God above anything else and obey Him and trust Him alone. This first commandment clearly forbids the following acts:

All forms of idol worship be it overt or covert. (Ps 115:3-4; Isaiah 42:8; Eph 5:5;Ex 32; Matt 19:16; Phil 3:19. Worshipping any creation as god. (Dan 3, 6; Matt 4:10; John 4:22-23); Fearing and loving any creation more than God (Gen 22; Ps 33:8, 73:25-26) and Trusting any creation more than God.(Ps 2:11, 14:1, 118:8; Prov 3:5; Jer 17:5).

Second commandment:

'Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain' (Ex 20:7). This means we must love and fear His name and never blaspheme His name, never practise witchcraft, never tell lies, never deceive but always worship and praise His name. This commandment expressly forbids the following:

Taking God's name in vain, blaspheming, swearing, practising witchcraft, telling lies and cheating; Blaspheming (Levi 24:15-16; James 3:9-10); Shelomith's son (Levi 24:10-16); Goliath (I Sam 17:43); Jews (Matt 27:25); Shimei (II Sam 16:13; Swearing: False swearing, blasphemous swearing, swearing in uncertain matters (Matt 5:33-37). Examples are: Peter (Matt 26:74); Herod (Matt 14:6-9); Oath against Apostle Paul (Acts 23:21).

Necessary oaths [Deut. 6:13; Heb 6:16; Abraham's servant (Gen 24:9)]

The commandment forbids attempting to use God's name or scripture notauthorized by God to perform unnatural acts such as practising witchcraft, soothsaying, sorcery, consulting a medium or spiritist. (Levi 19:31; Deut. 18:10-12).

Examples are:

The medium at En Dor (I Sam 28:7) Sons of Sceva, the Jew (Acts 19:13-17) Uttering false prophesy in the name of God and deception which means masking false preaching and a godless life under the guise of scriptures and God's name are prohibited.

Not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of the Father in heaven. In moments of distress, we should always praise and worship God's name as is expected of us by God.

Third commandment:

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them" ( Ex 20:4-6).

This commandment exhorts that one should love and adore the true God and do His will wholeheartedly. This also forbids the practise of loving or serving any form of image or symbol as God or as one that signifies God. God spoke to the Israelites from heaven. They heard a voice from heaven but did not see any form or image. "Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likenes of male or female, the likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, the likeness of anything that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them." (Deut. 4:15-19) (KJV) "Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God." Levi 26:1)(KJV) .

"Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?" (Jer 16:20)(KJV). All those which are obstacles to love, follow and worship God wholeheartedly such as any creature, sin, wrong doctrine, covetousness, disobedience and negligence (I Sam 15:23; Matt 10:36-39; Col 3:5-7) are, according to this commandment instances of idolatory and are therefore forbidden.

Fourth commandment:

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Ex. 20:8)

This commandment means that one should love God and refrain from work on the day specified by God and go to the place appointed by God to worship Him and become involved in spiritual affairs. This commandment entreats that people should assemble at the church on the day made holy by God, worship Him, praise and honor Him and listen to His sermons.

There is a covenant between God and the children of God. Sabbath day, the holy day is the sign of the relationship existing between God and the people. (Ezekiel. 20:12). We must set aside that day only for the purpose of worshipping. God's people should gather on the day, worship enmass, hold feasts, mark the day special for glorifying God, read His scriptures, listen to His sermons and observe His teachings. There is spiritual fulfillment and blessing in following God's commandment, small or big. The early church was careful in worshipping with apostles and in observing the Holy Communion. (Acts 2:42). Let us also appear before God's presence whenever the church assembles (Heb 10:25).

Fifth commandment:

"Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long" (Ex. 20:12)

Its meaning is that we must fear and love God and honor our parents in flesh and parents in spirit as well as persons of authority. We must express our respect and affection for them by obeying and serving them. Examples: Jacob (Gen 28:7); Elijah (II Kings 2:1-2); Paul (I Cor 4:15); Joseph(Gen 41:43 ). We fulfill this commandment when we count our parents and persons in authority as representatives of God and honor them and submit ourselves to them in their sphere of authority. Obey your parents (Eph 6:1-3). This is well pleasing to the Lord (Col 3:20). Listen to your father and do not despise your mother when she is old (Prov. 23:22).

Provide for your parents (I Tim 5:4). Obey your leaders and submit yourselves to them (Heb 13:17). Respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and esteem them highly in love for the sake of their work (I Thes 5:12-13). Submit yourself to the governing authorities. (Rom 13:1). Rise in the presence of the gray headed, show respect for the elderly (Levi 19:32). Obey God.

Sixth Commandment:

"Thou shalt not kill" (Ex. 20:13).

We must fear and love God and must not cause injury to any human who is created by God nor do any harm but help others in times of their bodily travails. This means we must not be the cause of bodily harm or danger to anyone. We must be careful not to destroy anyone's life or to reduce it or to make the persons life bitter by way of our deeds, words or thoughts.

Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed (Gen 9:6). All who take the sword will perish by the sword (Matt 26:52). Do not avenge yourselves because God has said that He will repay (Rom 12:19). Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause and whoever abuses his brother shall be held guilty (Matt 5:21-22). Whoever hates his brother has no eternal life abiding in him (I John 3:15). Murders proceed out of the heart. (Mark 7:18-23). Do not be a cause for loss of life by your carelessness.(Deut. 22:8). When we find someone in trouble, we must be helpful, considerate and compassionate to him. Share your food with the hungry and clothe the destitute who are naked (Isaiah 58:7). Do likewise even to your enemy (Rom 12:20). Be meek, merciful and loving.(Matt 5:5,7,9). Settle matters quickly with your adversary who takes you to court while you are yet on the way. (Matt 5:25). See: Abraham (Gen 14:12-24); David (I Sam 26:9), and the merciful Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). The judgment too will be in accordance with these. (Matt 25:31-46).

Seventh Commandment:

"Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Ex. 20:14).

This means we must love and fear God, obey Him and be holy in our words and deeds. Further, husband and wife should lead a chaste life and show consideration, respect and love towards each other. Marriage is a bond that unites man and woman till their death. This is an arrangement by God. This will be so when the marriage is solemnized in accordance with the word of God. This commandment requires that, a person whether married or unmarried to lead a holy life and to take care that in no way, either by way of deeds, words or lustful thoughts the marital life, the arrangement made by God is stained and defiled. Indeed marriage is an arrangement made by God (Gen 2:18-24; Matt 1:18-25). A man and woman should come together only after marriage. The act towards childbirth is not a sin (Gen 1:27-28, 8:17; Gen 9:1,7). Sexual relationship before marriage is loss of chastity. In the same way, after marriage, looking lustfully at person of other sex, and committing adultery are indeed sins.

Adultery means: a married woman giving herself to a man other than her husband and vice versa. Fornication stands for illicit sexual relationship between a man and a woman for whom such acts are habitual. God will judge fornicators and adulterers (Heb 13:4). Whereas the old testament forbids the act of adultery, the new testament is more stern. Do not look lustfully. Don't give room for lustful thoughts (Matt 5:27-28). Do not even talk about such matters (Eph 5:12).

"Whoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery" (Matt 19:9)(KJV).

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth" (Eph 4:29)(KJV).

"Flee fornication" (I Cor 6:18)(KJV). Keep yourself pure (I Tim 5:22; II Tim 2:22). "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red. Thine eyes shall behold strange women" (Prov. 23:31-33). Don't do anything that would defile the body and mind ( I Cor 6:9-11). Don't be gluttonous. Walk properly as in the day (Rom 13:13-14). Don't avoid marriage and give room for sexual immorality (I Cor 7:2). "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not" (Prov. 1:10)(KJV).

Eighth Commandment:

"Thou shalt not steal" (Ex. 20:15)

This means we should fear God and should not covet or usurp other person's belongings, nor attempt to make them our own by devious means, but help the person retain and increase his wealth.

This commandment seeks to remove from our mind all manners of jealousy, greed and restrains us from such habits as robbing, stealing, charging exorbitant interest rates and deceiving. Let him who stole, steal no longer but rather let him labor, that he may have something to share with those in need (Eph 4:28). Woe to him who increases what is not his (Habak 2:6). No one should take advantage of and defraud his brother (I Thes 4:6).

"Do no injustice in judgement nor use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights" (Levi 19:35-36)(NIV). "Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee" (Levi 25:36)(KJV). Do not fail to pay for the labour (Jer 22:13). "Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul"

(Prov. 29:24)(KJV). Don't take advantage of a person's forgetfulness, mistake or carelessness and if you come to know the identity of the owner of the good found by you, restore that to him at once (Levi 6:1-5). Restore anything obtained by unjustifiable means (Luke 3:12-14, 19:8). This commandment further teaches that we must be of help to others in words and deeds that they may prosper in their work and not face loss.

Ninth commandment:

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour" -Ex. 20:16.

This means we must love and fear God and should not cast false accusations against our neighbor nor behave treacherously nor carry tales about him or bring disrepute to his name but should speak for him, highlight his good deeds, and strive to bring out the truth of the matter. This commandment prohibits bringing about false accusations against a person and requires the removal of all words and thoughts against one's neighbor that arise out of a deceitful heart. To never harbor evil thoughts against one's neighbor means: to never have evil intentions against him and carry false information to incriminate him or willfully hide any information that might benefit him in some way. A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape (Prov. 19:5). Examples: Gehazi (II Kings 5:25); False witnesses against Naboth (1 King 21:13); False witnesses against Jesus Christ (Matt 26:59-61). Treacherous behavior means: Revealing the secrets of a person with evil designs. A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter (Prov. 11:13). Talebearing means talking ill of a person in his absence with deceitful intentions. "Speak not evil one of another, brethren "(James 4:11). Judge not that you be not judged (Matt 7:1). Example: Absalom (II Sam 15:1-6). Bringing disrepute means, talking slanderously of a person so as to spoil his good reputation. God has this to say to such wicked people: "What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you? When you saw a thief you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit.You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your mother's son. These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will reprove you, and set them in order before your eyes. Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver' (Psalms 50:16-22)(NKJV).

This commandment exhorts that we must speak up for our neighbor in order to protect him from slanderous accusations, speak up for those who can not speak for themselves, for the dumb, for the destitute, for the rights of all who are appointed to die and plead the cause of the poor and the needy (Prov. 31:8-9). This also implies that we must love our neighbor, speak highly of his good qualities and good deeds and cover his sins. Love will cover a multitude of sins (I Cor 13:7; I Pet 4:8).

Tenth Commandment:

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's" (Ex. 20:17)(KJV).

This means we must love and fear God and must not be attracted towards our neighbor's wife or his house, or his servants or his livestock or any of his belongings and attempt to take them by force but try sincerely to help him retain all his belongings and offer our assistance to him whenever possible.

This commandment instructs us that with regard to our neighbor's wife, house, servants or livestock, we must in no way cause them to neglect each other or attempt to entice them in order that they would leave their master and come to be with us, or use force to make them our own or deceive them. On the other hand, we must do all within our powers to help our neighbor retain his wife, servants or livestock. We must strive to help him retain his wealth.

Through this remarkable commandment, God not only instructs us not to fall a prey to covetousness, but also wants us to be helpful and do good to others and be pious.

"I had not known sin, but by the law" (Rom 7:7)(KJV). "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:14-15)(KJV). Therefore God says: "Ye shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy"(Levi 19:2)(KJV).

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect "(Matt 5:48)(KJV). "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Ps 37:4)(KJV).

Besides giving the above ten commandments God has also said "I the Lord thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments"(Ex. 20:5-6)(KJV). The almighty God issues a clear warning that He will punish all those who disobey the above ten commandments. Therefore let us love and fear God and take care that in no way we act contrary to the above commandments. Since he has promised that He will reward all those who follow His commandments with His abundant grace and blessings, let us gladly keep His commandments loving God and putting our trust in Him.

"There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy" (James 4:12). All those who transgress the law are visited by God's wrath, separation, curse, bodily death and eternal death which are sent by God as punishment. "For the wages of sin is death"(Rom 6:23)(KJV). "The soul that sinneth, it shall die"(Ezekiel. 18:20)(KJV). Examples: The great flood (Gen 7); Annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19); The destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 19:43-44).

"Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (I Tim 4:8)(KJV). "Sin is the transgression of the law"(I John 3:4)(KJV). By the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom 3:20)(NKJV).

"If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matt 19:17)(NKJV).