Ten Words To Set You Free: A Cheat Sheet for the 10 Commandments

Contrary to popular belief, and how you and I might sometimes feel, God's law isn't a set of arbitrary restrictions designed to limit our joy. It’s a loving blueprint for human flourishing. That’s why, when God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, he didn't immediately abandon them to figure life out on their own. Instead, he provided the Ten Commandments as guardrails for a newly liberated people. These weren't burdensome rules meant to replace physical chains with spiritual ones, but wisdom for living in their newfound freedom.

In the following sections, I've created what you might call a "practical guide to the Decalogue" — examining each commandment through three lenses: its core meaning, its positive counterpart (since each prohibition implies a positive action), and its relevance to our modern context. Throughout, we'll keep in mind that these commands aren't a means of earning God's favor but a response to the grace we've already received. As Jesus himself taught, all the law and prophets hang on love of God and neighbor — making the Ten Commandments not a burden but a pathway to the life we were designed to live.

First Commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me." (Ex 20:3)

Essence: God alone deserves our ultimate allegiance and worship.

Positive Counterpart: Treasure God above everything else.

Modern Application: Our culture celebrates autonomy—being our own god and deciding our own truth. We create modern idols of career, relationships, political identities, and digital validation. This commandment invites us to examine what truly occupies the throne of our hearts. When we place God at the center, everything else finds its proper place. Our work becomes service rather than identity; our relationships become gifts rather than ultimate sources of fulfillment.

Second Commandment: "You shall not make for yourself an image..." (Ex 20:4-6)

Essence: Don't reduce God to human representations or concepts.

Positive Counterpart: Worship God as He has revealed Himself.

Modern Application: While few of us carve wooden idols today, we often create mental images of God that suit our preferences—a cosmic vending machine, an indulgent grandfather, or an up-to-date progressive God who agrees with contemporary morals. The second commandment warns against doing that. We must not reshape God into our image. Instead, we're called to encounter Him as He's revealed Himself in Scripture—in the fullness of His justice and mercy, particularly in the person of Jesus Christ, who said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (Jn 14:9).

Third Commandment: "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD..." (Ex 20:7)

Essence: Don't trivialize or misrepresent God's character.

Positive Counterpart: Honor God's name and represent Him accurately.

Modern Application: This goes far beyond avoiding certain expressions. We misuse God's name whenever we claim divine backing for our personal agendas, manipulate others through religious language, or present a distorted view of God's character. As Christ's ambassadors, we "bear God's name" in everything we say and do. This commandment challenges us to align our words, actions, and attitudes with the God we claim to represent—speaking truth with grace and living with integrity.

Fourth Commandment: "Remember the Sabbath day..." (Ex 20:8-11)

Essence: Honor God's rhythm of work and rest.

Positive Counterpart: Embrace regular rest as a gift from God.

Modern Application: In our hyperconnected, productivity-obsessed culture, deliberate rest feels almost revolutionary. The Sabbath principle reminds us that we are human beings, not human doings. When we step back from constant production and consumption, we declare that our value isn't in what we accomplish, and the world continues without our constant attention. Jesus taught that "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mk 2:27). While the specific day may vary, the principle of regular, intentional rest refreshes our souls and realigns our priorities.

Fifth Commandment: "Honor your father and your mother..." (Ex 20:12)

Essence: Respect the authority structures God has established.

Positive Counterpart: Show gratitude and care for those who have cared for you.

Modern Application: This commandment extends beyond childhood obedience to a lifelong attitude of respect toward parents, even imperfect ones. In a culture that often dismisses traditional authority, honoring parents can mean acknowledging their significance in our formation, showing gratitude for their sacrifices, and providing care in their later years. For those with abusive or absent parents, honoring might involve setting healthy boundaries while still acknowledging God's sovereignty in allowing them to be part of your story. This commandment also extends to respecting other legitimate authorities God has placed in our lives.

Sixth Commandment: "You shall not murder." (Ex 20:13)

Essence: Don't destroy human life created in God's image.

Positive Counterpart: Protect and value human life at every stage.

Modern Application: Jesus expanded this commandment beyond physical killing to include hatred and contempt (Mt 5:21-22). In today's world, we "murder" through dehumanizing language toward our political opponents, casual character assassination on social media, indifference toward human suffering, and more. This commandment calls us to be life-affirming in every context—defending the vulnerable, speaking with kindness, pursuing reconciliation, and seeing God's image in every person, regardless of their usefulness to us.

Seventh Commandment: "You shall not commit adultery." (Ex 20:14)

Essence: Don't violate the sacred covenant of marriage.

Positive Counterpart: Honor the gift of sexuality within God's boundaries.

Modern Application: In a culture that often treats sex as casual recreation, this commandment affirms sexuality as a powerful gift meant for the context of committed marriage. Jesus extended this command to include lustful thoughts (Mt 5:27-28), calling us to purity in our inner life as well as our actions. This doesn't mean shame or repression, but recognizing that our desires need guidance. Whether single or married, we honor this command by pursuing integrity in our relationships, guarding our thought life, and treating others as whole persons rather than objects for gratification.

Eighth Commandment: "You shall not steal." (Ex 20:15)

Essence: Don't take what isn't rightfully yours.

Positive Counterpart: Practice generosity and respect others' property.

Modern Application: Beyond obvious theft, we violate this command through digital piracy, tax evasion, inflated expense reports, plagiarism, and wasting company time. The positive counterpart invites us to generosity—recognizing that everything we have is ultimately God's, entrusted to us as stewards. Rather than grasping for more, we can cultivate contentment and open-handedness with our resources.

Ninth Commandment: "You shall not give false testimony..." (Ex 20:16)

Essence: Don't distort the truth about others.

Positive Counterpart: Speak truth with integrity and grace.

Modern Application: In an era of "fake news," polarized discourse, and viral misinformation, this commandment is profoundly relevant. We bear false witness when we spread unverified rumors, share misleading statistics, take quotes out of context, or present one-sided narratives that demonize those who disagree with us. Truth-telling requires humility to admit what we don't know, c

ourage to speak uncomfortable realities, and love that seeks understanding before judgment. As followers of the One who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6), we're called to be people of truthful speech in every context.

Tenth Commandment: "You shall not covet..." (Ex 20:17)

Essence: Don't desire what belongs to others.

Positive Counterpart: Practice contentment and gratitude.

Modern Application: The tenth commandment uniquely addresses our internal attitude rather than external behavior. In a consumer culture fueled by artificial discontent, covetousness is practically the national pastime. Social media amplifies this tendency through endless comparison with curated versions of others' lives. This commandment invites us to the countercultural practice of contentment—not settling for less, but recognizing the abundance we already have. Gratitude transforms how we see our lives, shifting from what we lack to the gifts we've received.

Living by Grace, Not Law

These commandments reveal God's heart for human flourishing, but they also reveal our inability to keep them perfectly. This is precisely where the gospel enters. As Paul writes, "Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes" (Rom 10:4).

That’s a heady Paul makes, but what does it mean? It means that we must not obey to earn God's favor; we obey because in Christ, we already have it. The law drives us to grace, and grace empowers obedience—not from fear but from love. As we internalize God's acceptance through Christ, the commands shift from external rules to internal desires. The Holy Spirit gradually transforms us to want what God wants, creating an inside-out righteousness that law alone could never produce.

The Ten Commandments aren't contrary to freedom but essential to it. Just as a train finds freedom on its tracks rather than derailing into a field, we find our true liberty in the boundaries God has lovingly established. Through Christ, these ancient words become not a burden but a blueprint for the life we were created to live.