The Ten Commandments, stand as a monumental and foundational text, not just for the Israelites at Mount Sinai, but for all who seek to understand God's will and live a righteous life. More than a simple list of "dos and don'ts," these commandments are a divine blueprint for flourishing human existence—they detail how we are to rightly relate to our Creator and how we are to rightly relate to one another. As we embark on this study, we are invited to look beyond the surface rules and engage in the continuous process of self-reflection and alignment with God's guidance. Our goal is to uncover the deep wisdom, the sacrificial love, and the enduring relevance of these ten statements, allowing them to shape a stronger, more Christ-centered foundation in our own faith and priorities.
This session is centered around the tenth commandment Exodus 20:17 (NIV) "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
The 10th Commandment—"You shall not covet"—is unique. While the other commandments often focus on external actions (murder, theft, adultery), this one targets the interior life. It is the only commandment that explicitly forbids a thought or a desire rather than a physical deed.
Exodus 20:1-3 NIV [1] And God spoke all these words: [2] “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. [3] “You shall have no other gods before me.
the first commandment
Exodus 20:3 NIV You shall have no other gods before me.
the second commandment.
Exodus 20:4-6 NIV [4] “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. [5] You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, [6] but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
This commandment addresses two critical aspects of worship: the method and the motive.
the third Commandment,
Exodus 20:7 NIV “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
The core idea of treating God's name as empty, false, worthless, or meaningless applies to how we speak about Him, how we make promises in His presence, and how we live our lives as His representatives.
The Fourth Commandment
Exodus 20:8-11 (NIV) “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"
The Fifth Commandment, "Honor your father and your mother," is unique among the Ten Commandments as it is the only one that comes with a specific promise
Exodus 20:12 NIV “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
It establishes the fundamental principle of respect for authority and order within the family—the basic unit of society.
The Sixth Commandment
Exodus 20:13 NIV “You shall not murder.
While it is one of the shortest verses in the Bible, its implications reach deep into the human heart, our social structures, and our walk with God.
God looks at the heart. Murder is the physical fruit of a heart full of hate, pride, or greed.
The Seventh Commandment
Exodus 20:14 NIV You shall not commit adultery.
The Seventh Commandment is often viewed as a "marriage rule," but in God’s eyes, it is a Commandment of Faithfulness. It protects the purity of our bodies, the sincerity of our worship, and the integrity of our promises.
In Scripture, God describes His relationship with His people as a marriage. When we turn to idols—money, career, or self-worship—we are being "unfaithful" to our Creator.
Isaiah 54:5 NIV For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.
eighth Commandment
"Thou Shalt Not Steal" (Exodus 20:15)
Exodus 20:15 NIV You shall not steal.
How we handle resources is a direct reflection of our faith. Moving us from a mindset of "taking" to a life of "stewardship."
Last week The Ninth Commandment
Exodus 20:16 NIV You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
The Ninth Commandment is often simplified to "don’t lie." While accurate, the biblical scope is much deeper. It focuses on the protection of reputation, the integrity of justice, and the reflection of God’s character through our words. In a world of "alternative truths" and digital gossip, this commandment is a call to be people of radical integrity.
Today the last one
Exodus 20:17 (NIV) "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
The 10th Commandment—"You shall not covet"—is unique among the Decalogue. While the other commandments often focus on external actions (murder, theft, adultery), this one targets the interior life. It is the only commandment that explicitly forbids a thought or a desire rather than a physical deed.
Understanding "Covetousness"
To covet is more than just noticing something nice; it is an inordinate, grasping desire for what belongs to another. It is the "root" sin that often leads to the breaking of the other commandments dealing with how we relate to and with others
Coveting is the silent engine of outward transgression.
Coveting a neighbor's wife leads to adultery (7th Commandment).
Exodus 20:14 NIV You shall not commit adultery.
Coveting a neighbor's property leads to stealing (8th Commandment).
Exodus 20:15 NIV You shall not steal.
Coveting a neighbor's reputation can lead to false testimony (9th Commandment).
Exodus 20:16 NIV You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
The Heart of the Matter
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasized that God’s law is concerned with the heart. The 10th Commandment challenges us to ask: Why do I want what I want?
The 10th Commandment ("You shall not covet") is the unique "pivot point" of the Decalogue. While the previous commandments deal largely with observable actions—murder, theft, adultery, lying—the 10th commandment moves the Law into the private chambers of the mind.
Most of the commandments can be "managed" through willpower. You can choose not to steal a car; you can decide not to physically harm someone. A person can live their whole life checking off the first nine boxes and feeling quite "righteous."
However, the 10th commandment targets desire.
It shows that God isn't just looking at the "fruit" of our lives (our actions), but the "root" (our motivations). You can be perfectly moral on the outside while being a "struggling captive" to envy on the inside.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus addressed this but talking about the letter of the Law and contrasting it with the spirit of the Law. He used a recurring statement “You have heart that it was said but I tell you
Matthew 5:21-22 NIV [21] “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ [22] But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Jesus moves the commandment from a physical act to a spiritual condition. He suggests that the "seed" of murder exists in the heart long before a hand is lifted.
Matthew 5:27-28 NIV [27] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ [28] But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
This wasn't to abolish the Old Testament Law, but to reveal its true depth. He demonstrated that the physical act of sin is merely the "fruit," while the heart's desire is the "root."
Jesus used extreme imagery to show that sin is not a minor oppsey it is serious destructive force that requires extreme sacrifice some times in order to protect our spiritual integrity.
Matthew 5:29-30 NIV [29] If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Jesus was using hyperbole (intentional exaggeration) to make a point, rather than commanding literal self-mutilation.
Matthew 15:19 NIV [19] For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
Removing an eye wouldn't stop a person from lusting or envying; therefore, the "gouging" refers to removing the influence or the access to temptation.
Prioritizing the Eternal: The core message is about perspective. Jesus is arguing that any earthly loss—even something as precious as an eye—is insignificant compared to the loss of one's soul or relationship with God.
Why This Matters for Us
This "Law of the Heart" can feel overwhelming—who can actually keep their thoughts perfectly pure? That is exactly the point. Jesus’ teaching serves two purposes:
To Drive Us to Grace: When we realize we can’t even control our thoughts perfectly, we stop relying on our own "goodness" and start relying on God’s mercy.
To Invite Transformation: God doesn't just want us to stop doing bad things; He wants to give us a new heart that naturally loves what He loves.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV [26] I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
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