As you stand before God, the charges are read. You are charged with breaking God's laws ... lying, stealing, and taking God's name in vain. How do you plead?
You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me
Does God come first and foremost in your life? Or for example, does your career, your family, or your own pleasures? Whatever comes first in your life is your god and where your focus will be. Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.
You Shall Not Make Any False Idols
Do you worship God Almighty or have you created your own god or your own beliefs? If your god is one who is all love and forgiveness and would never cast anyone into Hell, then you’re right … your god wouldn’t cast anyone into hell because he doesn’t exist; he is a figment of your imagination. Everyone serves someone or something, even if it is your own imagination. Remember, even not believing in God is a belief itself. Who is your God?
You Shall Not Take God's Name in Vain
Have you ever used God’s name as a curse word or just part of general everyday language such as “Oh, my, God!!”? These are examples of using God’s name in a vain manner and considered blasphemy. The Bible says “God will not hold him guiltless who takes the name of the Lord in vain.”
Keep the Sabbath Day Holy
Do you set aside one day a week to rest? God commands that we set aside one day in seven to worship Him and rest. Remember, God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.
Honor Your Father and Mother
Have you always honored your parents? For example, have you ever talked back to your parents, disobeyed or cursed them, or neglected them? If so, you have not honored your parents.
You Shall Not Murder
Although you may think you have kept this commandment, the Bible says that whoever hates his brother is a murderer ... 1 John 3:15. Do you or have you ever hated someone? If so, this makes you a murderer. God looks at intent in the heart.
You Shall Not Commit Adultery
Another one that you may think you have kept for sure. However, Jesus says that whoever looks upon a woman with lust in his heart has committed adultery. Have you ever looked at someone with lust?
You Shall Not Steal
Have you ever taken anything, regardless of the value or size, that didn’t belong to you … perhaps a piece of candy or a pen from the office? If so, that makes you a thief.
You Shall Not Lie
Have you ever told a lie? If you say no, it’s a fair assessment that you’re lying right now. However, if you say yes … that makes you a liar. After all, one lie makes you a liar, just as one murder makes you a murderer.
You Shall Not Covet
Have you ever wanted something that belonged to someone else? Perhaps their car, their house, their job, their spouse? We are not to want something that belongs to someone else.
Now that you have a better understanding of God's laws and the three laws that you are charged with, how do you plead ... innocent or guilty? Before you answer, God says ... whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, is guilty of all ... James 2:10.
