The Ten Commandments, as recorded in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, serve as a foundational ethical code given by God to the Israelites through Moses. These commandments are central to Judeo-Christian ethics and are considered a divine standard for moral conduct. Breaking these commandments is viewed as sin, a transgression against God's holy law, and has significant spiritual and communal implications.

1. No Other Gods: The first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3), emphasizes exclusive devotion to the one true God. Idolatry, or the worship of other gods, is a direct violation of this commandment and is condemned throughout Scripture (e.g., 1 Corinthians 10:14).

2. Idolatry: The second commandment prohibits the making and worshiping of idols: "You shall not make for yourself an idol" (Exodus 20:4). Idolatry is seen as a betrayal of God's sovereignty and a distortion of His image, leading to spiritual adultery (Ezekiel 14:6).

3. Misuse of God's Name: The third commandment, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain" (Exodus 20:7), forbids using God's name irreverently or deceitfully. This includes false oaths and blasphemy, which are considered serious offenses (Leviticus 24:16).

4. Sabbath Observance: The fourth commandment calls for the observance of the Sabbath: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). Breaking the Sabbath by engaging in work or neglecting worship is seen as a rejection of God's provision and rest (Nehemiah 13:17-18).

5. Honor Parents: The fifth commandment, "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12), underscores the importance of family structure and respect for parental authority. Disobedience or disrespect towards parents is viewed as undermining God's ordained order (Ephesians 6:1-3).

6. Murder: The sixth commandment, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), prohibits the unlawful taking of human life. Murder is considered a grave sin, as it destroys the image of God in humanity and disrupts societal peace (Genesis 9:6).

7. Adultery: The seventh commandment, "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14), protects the sanctity of marriage. Adultery is seen as a violation of the marriage covenant and a sin against one's own body (1 Corinthians 6:18).

8. Theft: The eighth commandment, "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15), upholds the right to personal property. Theft is condemned as an act of injustice and a breach of trust (Ephesians 4:28).

9. False Witness: The ninth commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16), emphasizes truthfulness and integrity. Bearing false witness undermines justice and can lead to the harm of innocent individuals (Proverbs 19:5).

10. Coveting: The tenth commandment, "You shall not covet" (Exodus 20:17), addresses the inner desires that lead to sin. Coveting is seen as the root of many other sins, as it reflects discontentment and a lack of trust in God's provision (James 4:2-3).

Consequences of Breaking the Commandments: The Bible consistently warns of the spiritual and temporal consequences of breaking the Ten Commandments. Sin separates individuals from God (Isaiah 59:2) and leads to spiritual death (Romans 6:23). The law serves as a mirror, revealing human sinfulness and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:24).

Redemption and Forgiveness: Despite the severity of breaking the commandments, the Bible offers hope through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is available to those who confess their sins and turn to God (1 John 1:9). Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, believers are empowered to live in obedience to God's commandments (Romans 8:3-4).Deuteronomy 28:1-68
And it shall come to pass, if you shall listen diligently to the voice of the LORD your God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command you this day, that the LORD your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth:
Topicalbible.org

The Handwriting Blotted Out
... I firmly believe that if a man begins by wilfully breaking one of these commandments
it is ... had him arrested and put in the penitentiary for ten years, but I ...
/.../moody/weighed and wanting/the handwriting blotted out.htm

Repentance
The Ten Commandments. <. ... 26:41. There is, as the schoolmen say, a twofold
humiliation, or breaking of the heart. (1) Attrition ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 2 repentance.htm

He Argues against the Same as to the Reason of Offences.
... and seven, that psaltery "of ten strings," [251] Thy ten commandments, O God most ...
against Thee, kicking against the pricks; [254] or when, breaking through the ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter viii he argues against the.htm

Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity God's Testament and Promise in ...
... Now, it is adding to it, it is breaking or revoking it"since this testament has
been opened and the blessing ... Why do we teach the ten commandments at all? ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/thirteenth sunday after trinity gods.htm

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be ...
... and to marriage, did not abolish those commandments and marriage ... one ancient Greek
copy there is read, ten kuriaken, the ... [56] As the phrase of "breaking of bread ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/ten reasons demonstrating the commandment.htm

The First and Great Commandment
... for this is older than even the ten commandments of the ... If thou breakest the
commandments of the ceremonial law ... man that goeth on in his willful breaking thereof ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the first and great commandment.htm

The Decalogue: I --Man and God
... The Ten Commandments are binding on us; but they are ... is on the negative character
of the commandments as a ... But there are other ways of breaking the commandment ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the decalogue iman and god.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... 2. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS 2.9 The Ninth Commandment. ... (1) Let all take heed of breaking
this commandment, by lying, slandering, and bearing false witness. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

The Sin of Omission.
... The outward observance of the ten commandments was right and well in its own way ...
and mark prescribed by God, as well a violent and forcible breaking over and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/shedd/sermons to the natural man/the sin of omission.htm

Sixth Commandment
... Directly after the giving of the Ten Commandments, God laid down the ordinance that
if a thief be found breaking in and be smitten that he die, it was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/sixth commandment.htm

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