Commandments of Worship

This month, we focus on the topic of worship. When we think of worship, we often associate it with prayer, singing and praising God through music. However, worship goes beyond these acts—it's about recognizing that God is the greatest, the holiest and truly deserving of our praise and devotion. But how do we cultivate a lifestyle of worship in our daily routines?

A good place to begin is with the Ten Commandments found in Exodus chapter 20.

The Background of the Ten Commandments

When God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments, they had just been delivered from Egypt, where they had been enslaved for 400 years. During this time, they had lost a clear sense of their identity. God wanted to guide their hearts and realign their moral compass in their daily lives. To do this, He provided the Ten Commandments as a foundational set of principles for them to follow.

The Ten Commandments

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.                                                                          Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other gods before Me.

Before God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, they lived in a culture where many gods were worshiped and various religions were practiced. However, God wanted them to acknowledge Him as the One true God in their lives. In our daily lives, if we place anything above God, we are essentially treating it as a god. This could include things that seem good, like a successful career, financial security, family, fame or fortune. We must constantly examine our hearts to ensure that nothing interferes with or takes precedence over our relationship with God. As Mark 8:36 reminds us, “For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world [with all its pleasures] and forfeit his soul?”

2. You shall not make idols. 

Exodus 20:4 You shall not make for yourself any idol or any likeness (form, manifestation) of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth [as an object to worship].

Why do people create idols? Perhaps they long to see God and, in their desperation, make statues to represent Him. Today, many idolize celebrities or successful entrepreneurs, seeing them as role models. Before Adam and Eve sinned, they could see God directly, but after their sin, due to God's holiness, seeing Him became impossible. The good news is that God, in His mercy and kindness, sent Jesus Christ into the world. Those who lived during Jesus’ time had the chance to see Him in person. We can look to Jesus Christ as our ultimate role model and connect with God through Him.

3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.                                            Exodus 20:7 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, irreverently, in false affirmations or in ways that impugn the character of God]; for the Lord will not hold guiltless nor leave unpunished the one who takes His name in vain [disregarding its reverence and its power].

We must not misuse the name of God, as it is holy and should be treated with utmost reverence. This means not using it casually or irreverently, like saying "oh my God" or "Jesus Christ" in frustration. It also means refraining from making false oaths or swearing by God’s name to lend credibility to our statements, like saying, “I swear to God” without genuine intention. We should not use God’s name to justify wrongful actions or behaviors, such as claiming, “God told me to do it,” when it contradicts His teachings. The sacredness of God’s name demands that it be used with respect and sincerity, not for personal gain or to cover up wrongdoing.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.                                                             Exodus 20:8-10 Remember the Sabbath (seventh) day to keep it holy (set apart, dedicated to God). Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath [a day of rest dedicated] to the Lord your God; on that day you shall not do any work, you or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock or the temporary resident (foreigner) who stays within your [city] gates.

Before the Israelites were freed from Egypt, they lived as slaves, working relentlessly without rest. God wanted to teach them a new way of living—one that honors Him, acknowledges His role as the Creator of heaven and earth, and allows them to get closer to Him through rest. By instituting the Sabbath on the seventh day, God provided a time for rest and reflection. It is crucial for us to work diligently during our workdays, but it is equally important to fully rest on the Sabbath. This day is an opportunity to spend time with the Lord and remember His blessings and provisions in our lives.

5. Honor your father and your mother.                                                                          Exodus 20:12 Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land the Lord your God gives you.

When God created Adam and Eve, He intended for them to be parents, to be fruitful, multiply and have authority over the earth. This included the responsibility to teach their children to follow God’s ways. In essence, honoring our parents is also a way of honoring God. When God sent Jesus into the world, He did not come as a mighty warrior or a superhero but as a baby born to the Virgin Mary. This means that Jesus, in His human form, also had parents and needed to obey them throughout His childhood. Even while hanging on the cross, Jesus asked His earthly brother to take care of His mother, Mary. We should respect and care for our parents, even when we disagree. If your parents aren't believers, showing them love as God intends which can be a powerful testimony, drawing them closer to Him through your actions.

6. You shall not murder.                                                                                                 Exodus 20:13 You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide).

While we may not literally kill someone in our daily lives, there are "murderous" acts that have become so common that they feel normal. Let’s look at a few examples.

• Cyberbullying is a modern-day form of emotional harm. I've read stories of people who suffer from depression or even take their own lives because of hurtful comments online. When we type our own opinions, hiding behind screens, please don’t forget our words can affect others in either a positive or negative way.

• Abortion is a sensitive topic, and while I don’t judge because I don’t know their stories, it saddens me when a baby is aborted due to an unplanned pregnancy. Even though the baby wasn’t born, I believe life was already forming and God had a plan for that child. Parents, let’s openly discuss topics about sex with our children based on biblical principles. By normalizing these conversations and teaching them about sex in the right way, we can help reduce the rate of abortions.

• Hatred and degrading others with words and/or actions.                                       

  
  

  In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus raises the standard by saying that anyone who hates their brother or sister or calls them a degrading name is guilty of murder in their heart. This often stems from anger. Just like some murders happen out of rage, we see this in the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. Before Cain killed Abel, he was filled with anger and God warned him to control it. Cain ignored the warning, letting his anger lead him to commit the first murder recorded in the Bible. This is why Jesus emphasizes managing anger in Matthew 5:21–22. In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus even teaches that before offering gifts to God, we should make peace with anyone we have conflict with.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

Exodus 20:14  You shall not commit adultery.                                                       

God designed sex to be sacred and reserved for marriage. Adultery refers to engaging in sex outside of marriage, and marriage is meant to be holy. Adultery can cause serious harm, such as unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, emotional pain, broken families and it turns your heart away from God. In Matthew 5:27–28, Jesus says that even looking at someone with lust is committing adultery in their heart. Adultery also includes watching porn, making inappropriate jokes, sexual harassment and impure thoughts. All of these are harmful. If you struggle with these issues, don't hesitate to seek counseling or professional help. It's wiser to humble yourself and seek help than to jeopardize your relationships with God and others. 

1 Corinthians 6:18  Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually sins against their own body.

8. You shall not steal.

Exodus 20:15  You shall not steal.                                                                          

We might not steal cars or rob banks, but there are smaller ways people take what isn't theirs, such as taking office supplies or extra tissue from public restrooms for personal use. Initially, I didn’t see these as stealing, but I later realized they are. A pastor once shared that he felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit when he took extra tissue paper and sugar packets home from Starbucks for personal use. This behavior often stems from a fear of lack, passed down from generations who lived in scarcity. Even though times are better now, this mindset can persist.

We should trust that God provides for us and work with our own hands to earn what we need. Taking extra items doesn’t make us richer or save us much money but can damage our reputation and fail to honor God. Let’s shift our mindset to one of trust and integrity, knowing that true wealth and respect come from living honestly and working diligently.

9.You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.                                            Exodus 20:16 You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person).

We must not bear false witness against others. God is just and despises lies. False testimony can take many forms, such as spreading false stories, making false accusations, or gossiping with the intent to spread hatred behind someone’s back. As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers and should never create false stories or accusations against others. Those who make false accusations with evil intent will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 16:5 warns, “Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”

10. You shall not covet.                                                                                                  Exodus 20:17 You shall not covet [that is, selfishly desire and attempt to acquire] your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Why do we covet? Often, it's because we believe what we have isn't good enough or that someone else’s life is better than ours. Coveting begins with comparison. When people feel dissatisfied with their life, their spouse, their children or their possessions, that’s where coveting takes root. But this does nothing to honor God, nor does it bring true happiness or value to our lives. Instead, we should practice gratitude for what God has given us, trusting that He has a unique plan for each of us. Our blessings may not all look the same, but God knows us better than we know ourselves and understands what is best for us.

This Week's Action Steps:

1. Find a quiet space to spend time in worship and focus on the Lord.

2. After worship, reflect on the Ten Commandments and ask God to reveal the areas where He wants you to grow.

3. Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit on specific action steps you can take to begin improving.

4. Read and meditate on the scriptures below.

Matthew 5:17-20 “Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For I assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished. So whoever breaks one of the least [important] of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least [important] in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Let’s Pray Together:

Dear God, we thank You for this month’s teachings on worship. We are grateful for the reminder that worship is a posture of the heart, as Your Word says in John 4:24: "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." Help us to keep the Ten Commandments close to our hearts and to live them out in our daily lives. May the Holy Spirit be our Counselor, guiding us every step of the way. Thank You for Your faithfulness and loving kindness.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.