There are many false teachings about the Ten Commandments. Some teach they are done away, and those who keep them are practicing a form of legalism. They may try to use various scriptures like the book of Galatians to prove this. However, by carefully comparing Galatians to the rest of the new testament, one can clearly see that the issues being addressed are circumcision, and that we are justified by faith. Read Acts 15, Romans 6 and Hebrews 11. A careful look at some other scriptures will confirm that the Ten Commandments are a necessary part of the code of conduct we must all strive to live by. Allow me to bring to your attention a few examples.
" Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." (Romans 7:12)
" For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. " (Romans 13:9)
There is scriptural evidence to show that the keeping of the commandments not only bears good fruit in this life, but that keeping them (not perfectly because it is impossible) is necessary for eternal life. Jesus Christ even instructed one man to keep the commandments if he would enter into eternal life.
" And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? "
" Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. " - (Matthew 19:16-24)
The problem that this person had was that he loved his wealth more than God. This is a violation of the 10th command against being covetous. We see in the New Testament that covetousness also causes a violation of the 1st and 2nd commands against idolatry.
" Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: " (Colossians 3:5)
Allowing material things to become more important than God in our lives makes us guilty of IDOLOTRY. No real Christian would want that because if it is not repented of it will cut you off from God.
" And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. " (Luke 12:15)
Perhaps this is why there are so many warnings against pursuing wealth. It is very difficult to be pursuing wealth and have time for the things of God. It is also very difficult to have attained wealth and not set your heart on it. It is not however impossible to do. Some of the examples in the bible show that it is possible.
" And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. " (Genesis 13:2)
It is not wrong to prepare for the future, get a good education, save for your retirement, and have a good inheritance for your children.
" A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. " (Proverbs 13:22)
But it is not wise to chase after riches and think we can stay focused on Gods purpose for our life. We cannot serve God and mammon. ( Luke 16:13-14)
" And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. " (Mark 4:19)
A balanced approach seems to be the best when we read the proverbs.
" Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. " (Proverbs 30:8-9)
Sadly there are many so called preachers & teachers who abuse and exploit the people who want to serve God. They will use manipulative methods to guilt trip the unwise into giving them money that they are not entitled to. Some people are gullible enough to be abused by these false ministers. We need to be very careful about who we give Gods offerings to lest we be guilty of being unwise stewards and it fall into the hands of imposters.
" And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. " (2 Peter 2:3)
" Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. " (1Timothy 6:5-10)
Even the kings in ancient Israel were instructed to not increase in gold because it would lead them astray.
" Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. " (Deuteronomy 17:17)
Finally we see in the sermon on the mount that our lives are to be towards Gods kingdom, not materialism.
" Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
" Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. " (v. 31-33)
By the time we get to the book of Revelation it is still evident that our father in heaven wants us to strive to obey Him by the keeping of these practical and spiritual commandments.
" And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Revelation 12:17)
" Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. " (Revelation 14:12)
" Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. " (Revelation 22:14)
I have only briefly explored the 10th commandment against covetousness in this answer to your question. The best way to study the Ten Commandments is to start in Genesis and go through the entire bible to get a balanced view of how practical and timeless they really are. Each one of these 10 make for an excellent bible study when all the scriptures that apply to the spiritual intent of each one is discovered. In them He is instructing us to not destroy ourselves our families our society and our eternal life. Remember, there is nothing you can do to earn salvation, but there are some things you can do to forsake salvation.
" For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. " (Hebrews 10:26-31)
The conclusion of the whole matter is that keeping the Ten Commandments is the key to loving our God and loving our fellow humans. Love is the most important thing because God is love.
" Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:35-40)
This fits perfectly with what is written by the Apostle John so many years latter.
" And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. " (1 John 4:21)
Our father in heaven has given us the instructions we need to solve most of the worlds problems, but most people have rejected a vitally important part of that solution, the Ten Commandments.
" Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. " (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
I hope this has been helpful for you to see the far reaching ramifications of this one aspect of the ten commandments. I also apologize for not being able to go through each one at this time as it would require an extensive study time. I hope you will be able to complete it with our Fathers help.
Answer Given By: Allen Turner
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