WHY GOD GAVE US THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

God did not give us the Ten Commandments to pound us into submission. He gave them to us so our lives would be free from trouble:

1. I am the Lord. Do not have any other gods before me.
   Since any "god" other than God is really satan in disguise, this is the key way to prevent trouble in our earthly lives. The devil is responsible for most of the troubles in this fallen planet. Drug addiction, alcoholism, and other destructive habits are also "gods" to the people addicted to them.
2. Do not make any graven images and serve them.
   Anything made here on Earth that commands your affection leads to trouble. Fights over property, love of money, and unnatural feelings result from such misplaced loyalty.
3. Do not misuse the name of the Lord.
   Anyone who misuses the Lord's name is obeying satan, and will also cause other trouble. In addition, foul language usually provokes a fight.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.
   God wants you to have time to spend with him. You also need time to rest from work. The Sabbath was made for man to enjoy, not as a restriction on what he can do.
5. Honor your father and mother.
   People who reject their parents will also reject all other forms of authority, and are not fit for life with other people. The wishes of the parent must also be respected by others dealing with the child, such as teachers and caregivers. The parents should likewise know what is best for their children.
6. Do not commit murder.
   Without this command and obedience to it, everyone's life would be in constant peril.
7. Do not commit adultery.
   Anyone messing with someone else's spouse is asking for trouble. A marriage is a promise to be faithful to one person for the rest of the earthly life. No one has the right to break this promise. All sexual sins, including premarital sex, homosexuality, bestiality, and sex for profit are violations of this promise, even if it hasn't been made yet.
8. Do not steal.
   Without this commandment and obedience to it, nobody would be able to count on having anything, since it could disappear at any time. This can cause hardship. By the way, this commandment applies to government too, the sum of which is not entitled to more than ten percent of your earnings.
9. Do not give false testimony.
   Justice cannot exist without truth in testimony. False testimony leads to wrongs against the innocent. Nobody would be safe if this commandment were ignored.
10. Do not covet anything that is your neighbor's.
    Covetousness is greed. Greed leads to violations of the other nine commandments.

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