Ten Commandments

  • A Day for Holiness

    Exodus 20:8–11

    Some people believe that Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath, therefore we do not have to keep it. But nowhere does Christ abrogate this one command of all the Ten. It was established at creation and will continue until glory. Confess the ...Read More

  • A Murderer from the Start

    John 8:44

    Scripture’s emphasis on both the inward attitudes of evil and the outward deeds of wickedness results in a doctrine of sin that is both robust and realistic. The problem of sin is rooted within, and it takes an inward ...Read More

  • Capital Crimes and Punishment

    Numbers 35:9–34

    Many people accuse Christians of being inconsistent in our stance against homosexuality because we believe it immoral, like the Old Testament, but, unlike the Old Testament, we do not call for the death of those who commit sexual sin. This ...Read More

  • Coveting and Self-Destruction

    Proverbs 12:12

    In our market-driven culture, the temptation to covet that which belongs to others is constantly before us. Thus, we need all the help we can get to find contentment in those things we cannot change. We need Christian friends to ...Read More

  • False Balances and Just Weights

    Proverbs 11:1

    In a just economic system, the wealthy still pay more than those of lesser means in terms of the actual dollar amount. Yet, they do not pay a greater percentage of their income in taxes than those who are not ...Read More

  • Holy Truth

    1 Peter 2:22

    Of all the lies we might tell, the most dangerous are probably those lies we tell ourselves to make us believe we are not really sinning. Given our susceptibility to falling into sin, we must be extra careful to examine ...Read More

  • Images vs. Idols

    2 Kings 18:4–5

    Biblical ethics ultimately address the heart. Images in themselves are indifferent; it is what we do with them that matters. The worship of physical images is a problem in many places, but we tend to be more “sophisticated.” We often ...Read More

  • Lies and Their Consequences

    Deuteronomy 19:16-21

    The Lord, being the font of wisdom and truth, has given us fair principles for guiding His community. It is essential, therefore, for a healthy church to follow His law, showing grace to the repentant and applying discipline when professing ...Read More

  • Lustful Intent

    Matthew 5:27–30

    Positively, question and answer 109 of the Heidelberg Catechism note, the seventh commandment encourages the maintenance and promotion of chastity in marriage and singleness. We should be doing all that we can to prevent a climate in the church and ...Read More

  • Make No Graven Image

    Exodus 20:4–6

    Consider how you have broken this command. How do you fashion images of God? Have you constructed any belief system about God that is contrary to the truth as He has revealed it in His word? Have you tried to ...Read More

  • No Other Gods

    Deuteronomy 5:7

    It is not enough merely to refrain from doing what God forbids, although that is a necessary part of true obedience. We must also cultivate a positive appreciation for the opposite of what is forbidden. Not following after other gods ...Read More

  • Sacred Oaths and Vows

    Numbers 30:1–2

    This quote from William Shakespeare All’s Well That Ends Well captures an important insight: “‘Tis not the many oaths that makes the truth, but the plain single vow that is vow’d true.” Sacred vows are not to be ...Read More

  • Speaking the Truth

    Ephesians 4:25

    Matthew Henry writes, “Truth is a debt we owe to one another; and, if we love one another, we shall not deceive one another.” Christians must be known for their love of the truth and the trustworthiness of their speech ...Read More

  • Stealing from God

    Malachi 3:6-12

    It is tempting to give God only the leftovers after we have spent our income on ourselves. Yet this should not be the attitude of the Lord’s people, for what we own is His, and He has said that ...Read More

  • Submitting to Earthly Authorities

    Romans 13:1–7

    Those who are under the authority of others are not allowed to wait for perfect leadership before they honor their supervisors, parents, church elders, and other leaders. Insofar as our leaders do not command us to do something God forbids ...Read More