Explained

1st Commandment Explained

"I am the Lord your God"

Straight forward enough, here God is announcing that HE is our Lord.

"who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage"

Here HE is making it clear "which" human God he is referring too. During the days of Moses, people worshipped many types of gods each representing different aspects of their lives.

"You shall have no other gods before Me"

2nd Commandment Explained

"You shall not make for yourself a carved 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; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them."

Again, this should be clear enough. A carved image would include status, large and small as well as the traditional "Cross" worn by many Christians. Most religions have some kind of symbol which they bow down too, are all these churches getting this 2nd Commandment wrong, hence breaking it?

3rd Commandment Explained

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain"

Some take this to say you mustn't say things like "For G**s Sake", others that you mustn't blame God or curse HIM for things that have gone wrong in your life, and others take it to mean you mustn't swear at all. Maybe we shouldn't do any of these things?!

"for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."

By doing/saying these things, HE is telling us here that you will be guilty and would suggest that you will be "Judged" on these actions.

4th Commandment Explained

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God."

There is an enormous amount of evidence available just on the internet as well as in many other places to say that our modern SATURDAY is the 7th Day, Sabbath. Areas of the Bible point to the Sabbath beginning at sunset on a Friday evening and continues through till sunset on the Saturday. If you do not Rest, Study and Worship during this time EVERY WEEK, you are direct violation of this ommandment.

5th Commandment Explained

"Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you."

Well, this is rather good news, if you like your parents that is. God is suggesting here that if you honour your parents, you should live to a good old age. By honouring your parents would mean to never slander or speak bad of them, to do right by them, to do as they ask. Mum, Dad .... I love you both!

6th Commandment Explained

"You shall not kill."

This couldn't be any clearer really could it. However, what do we do in War? Is that
to kill? Many would suggest not. Many times through the Bible, God gives direct commands to Kings and other leaders to make War against others and to kill them all.

7th Commandment Explained

"You shall not commit adultery."

Again, this is rather clear and to the point, until you read the Bible. Other passages in the Bible tell us that simply "thinking" of committing adultery is deemed the same as actually doing the act. Do you know anyone who hasn't thought of it?

8th Commandment Explained

"You shall not steal."

Have you ever pocketed one of those little red pens from Argos? (A catalogue high street store in the UK) Did you ask permission from the "owner" of that pen? I would hope that we all agree with this commandment, but I'm sure everyone has their own tolerance of this Law. You should consider, the commandment doesn't read "You shall not steal, unless it's under the value of £1"

Give back all those pens!

9th Commandment Explained

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour."

Couldn't be much clearer, but in really plain English, DON'T LIE. It would suggest from this commandment not to lie either against or for your neighbour. Just tell the truth all the time and you can't go wrong can you.