God Speaks

The Battle Over the Ten Commandments

View our Bible Study and Quiz on the Ten Commandments.

Above the audience chamber of the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., there are figures carved along the edges of the ceiling. One of those figures is holding stone tablets in his right hand. It is believed that the figure is of Moses and the Ten Commandments, the ancient moral code.Over the last few years, there has been an increasing controversy regarding the Ten Commandments. In fact the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court lost his job for refusing to remove the two-ton granite monument that sat in the rotunda of the state courthouse. It is one of thousands placed around the country during the 1950’s and 1960’s by the Fraternal Order of Eagles with the support of Cecil B. DeMille, the director, who was promoting his movie “The Ten Commandments.”

There seems to be a growing focus on removing the mention of God from the pledge of allegiance, and much of Bible truth is being eliminated from American life. Some individuals believe that removing the Ten Commandments from American public life has had an impact on our society. Such a conclusion is based on the increase of violence and the lack of morality as expressed in some of our music and movies. It seems as though things are getting worse and worse in our society. According to the Bible (2 Timothy 3: 1-5), the last days will be perilous. From the events occurring in society, it appears that we are currently living in those times.

It seems that people have practically no respect for law or constituted authority, either of God or of man! On the international scene, nations rise against nations as the so-called treaties of peace are not worth the paper on which they are written.

While the nation debates where the Ten Commandments should be displayed, it is interesting to note that in the Bible there is no mention of putting them on buildings of any kind. It does, however, mention that God wants them written in our hearts. This term “heart” in scripture is frequently used in referring to various attitudes, emotions, and intelligence. In Exodus 8:32 the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart indicated his attitude of rebellion against God (Hebrews 3: 7-10). A stony heart describes a state of spiritual insensitivity and moral indifference (Ezekiel 11: 19). God is able to give to us a new heart (Heb. 8: 10) indicating a complete change of attitudes, desires, and ambitions (2 Corinthians 5: 17).

Christ dwells in the heart by faith (Ephesians 3: 17). In many passages in scripture where it mentions a person’s heart, it is basically referring to the seat of intelligence (mind). “I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” God writes His law in our minds that we might understand them and allow them to be the foundation of our thoughts and actions. The Ten Commandments speak of moral responsibility to God and to each other. When we review these precepts they reveal love for God and for one another.

Can our society gain from putting the Ten Commandments on public buildings as artifacts to be displayed? Society will gain from them only if people live by them and allow them to be a moral standard for behavior. If not, we will continue in spiritual chaos, lawlessness, and wretchedness in the human heart.

These commandments aren’t called the ten suggestions, ten recommendations, or the ten greatest ideas. They are the Law of God; and keeping them will give people of all nations peace, joy, and happiness. (Micah 4:2). This can only be accomplished with a relationship with the God of heaven through His Son Jesus The Christ.

Where will the Ten Commandments have the most influence, in a rotunda of a courthouse, on a public building, or in our hearts?

Use our Bible study on the Ten Commandments to learn more about them.

Written On Stone? or In The Heart?

The Battle Over the Ten Commandments

Over the last few years, there has been an increasing controversy regarding the Ten Commandments. In fact the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court lost his job for refusing to remove the two-ton granite monument that sat in the rotunda of the state courthouse. It is one of thousands placed around the country during the 1950�s and 1960�s by the Fraternal Order of Eagles with the support of Cecil B. DeMille, the director, who was promoting his movie �The Ten Commandments.�

There seems to be a growing focus on removing the mention of God from the pledge of allegiance, and much of Bible truth is being eliminated from American life. Some individuals believe that removing the Ten Commandments from American public life has had an impact on our society. Such a conclusion is based on the increase of violence and the lack of morality as expressed in some of our music and movies. It seems as though things are getting worse and worse in our society. According to the Bible (2 Timothy 3:1-5), the last days will be perilous. From the events occurring in society, it appears that we are currently living in those times.

It seems that people have practically no respect for law or constituted authority, either of God or of man! On the international scene, nations rise against nations as the so-called treaties of peace are not worth the paper on which they are written.

While the nation debates where the Ten Commandments should be displayed, it is interesting to note that in the Bible there is no mention of putting them on buildings of any kind. It does, however, mention that God wants them written in our hearts. This term �heart� in scripture is frequently used in referring to various attitudes, emotions, and intelligence. In Exodus 8:32 the hardening of Pharaoh�s heart indicated his attitude of rebellion against God (Hebrews 3:7-10). A stony heart describes a state of spiritual insensitivity and moral indifference (Ezekiel 11:19). God is able to give to us a new heart (Heb. 8:10) indicating a complete change of attitudes, desires, and ambitions (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Christ dwells in the heart by faith (Ephesians 3:17). In many passages in scripture where it mentions a person�s heart, it is basically referring to the seat of intelligence (mind). �I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.� God writes His law in our minds that we might understand them and allow them to be the foundation of our thoughts and actions. The Ten Commandments speak of moral responsibility to God and to each other. When we review these precepts they reveal love for God and for one another.

Can our society gain from putting the Ten Commandments on public buildings as artifacts to be displayed? Society will gain from them only if people live by them and allow them to be a moral standard for behavior. If not, we will continue in spiritual chaos, lawlessness, and wretchedness in the human heart.

These commandments aren�t called the ten suggestions, ten recommendations, or the ten greatest ideas. They are the Law of God; and keeping them will give people of all nations peace, joy, and happiness. (Micah 4:2). This can only be accomplished with a relationship with the God of heaven through His Son Jesus The Christ.

Where will the Ten Commandments have the most influence, in a rotunda of a courthouse, on a public building, or in our hearts?

Keeping the Ten Commandments

A Matter of the Heart

Some Christian groups used to say that we did not have to keep the Ten Commandments, that they were nailed to the cross and to keep them is “salvation by works.” In fact the word legalism was often associated with keeping the commandments. Now many Christians want to post a version of them in schools and other public places.

Are the Ten Commandments important today? Absolutely! God considers them important. Solomon wrote that the conclusion of the whole matter of life is to reverence God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of every person. (Ecclesiastes 12: 13). Jesus said “If you love me, keep my command- ments.” (John 14: 15). “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”(Matthew 19:17).

If we know Him, we keep His Commandments. He who says I know Him and does not keep His Comm- andments is a liar and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2: 3, 4). Not everyone who calls Him Lord or works miracles in His name has really accepted Jesus as Lord. In fact Jesus refers to them as being lawless, which means that they had no regard for His Law. (Matthew 7: 21-23).

Ten Commandments are the standard by which God examines people in the heavenly judgment. This makes obeying them a life-or-death matter! “For God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12: 14).

The Ten Commandments are a reflection of God’s character. The Bible says that God is good, holy, perfect, pure, just, true, spiritual, righteous, faithful, love, unchangeable and eternal. Interestingly the Bible says the same things about His law. Visit our website for more information on this topic.

God’s law is like a mirror pointing out sin in our lives. We need to carefully check our lives by the mirror of God’s law. The law will direct us to Jesus for cleansing. It brings hope for this mixed-up, morally corrupt society and shows where to draw the line! (James 1:23-25).

Happiness, joy, peace, and more abundant living come to those who obey God’s law. No wonder the Psalmist David said that God’s commands are more desirable than gold. (Psalms 19:10; Proverbs 3: 1, 2; 29: 18; Psalms 119:165).

God’s Ten Commandments in our hearts serve as a guide for what we think, say, and do. Obeying the commandments entitles us to the right to the tree of life, and entrance in through the gates into the Holy City. (Revelation 22:14).

Conclusion If we ignore even one of the commandments, we are neglecting part of the divine pattern, or blueprint. If only one link of a chain is broken, its purpose is not fulfilled. The Bible says that when we knowingly break any command of God, we are sinning (James 4:17), because we have refused His will for us.

“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19). If we don’t keep all of them and teach others not to, we will not be a part of God’s kingdom. Pastors and Bible teachers beware. Teach and preach all the commandments.

Jesus said that people draw near to Him with their mouth and only honor Him with their lips; but their hearts are far from Him. Their worship of Him is vain, teaching doctrines and commandments of men rather than the teachings of God. (Matthew 15:8, 9; Mark 7:7, 9). It’s our heart that God wants.

The value and benefit of the Ten Commandments work best in our lives when they are in our hearts. See follow up article next week. For further information go to our website: peopletopeopleministries.com Or you can request a free magazine at Keeping the Ten Commandments.