The 10 Commandments can be simplified by the New Testament, but knowing the 10 Commandments and following them should still be something Christians strive for. Whether you know them or not, that will be the topic of today’s topic. Plus, there is a 10 commandments free printable at the end so you can take them anywhere!
The 10 Commandments
The 10 Commandments are one of the first thing we’re taught as Christians. I remember learning them in Sunday school and Awanas.
But I also heard the argument much later in life that the 10 Commandments no longer matter to Christians, because we have the covenant of the New Testament…not old. But in reality they do still matter, but it is just much more simplified than we think.
Who Did God Give The 10 Commandments To?
God gave the 10 Commandments to Moses to give to the children of Israel. Don’t know who Moses is? I would suggest reading the full book of Exodus to get the full story of Moses from start to finish. It truly is amazing and quite interesting.
While the movie The Prince of Egypt was not wholly accurate, it does semi give you an okay understanding of Moses’ story. The ending during the parting of the red sea is pretty amazing to watch.
I would honestly, suggest reading Exodus and watching that movie together to get a better understanding of the events that led up to God giving Moses the 10 commandments.
Exodus 19-20 Discusses The Events On Mount Sinai
Going all the way back to Exodus 19 we read about Moses going up to the mountain and God comes down to speak to him. This is where God lays out the 10 commandments in Exodus 20. However, God gives them more rules, which you can read about in Exodus 20-23.
What Are God’s 10 Commandments?
Exodus 19:20-21, 20
The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top. And God spoke these words:
“I am the Lord tour God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.
4. Remember the sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother, so that you make live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Why The Ten Commandments Still Matter
Now you may have heard that the 10 commandments are no longer relevant anymore because of the New Testament.
However, they are, as are God’s other laws. The argument is that this covenant is with the Jews, and it is, us gentiles should still follow these laws to refrain from sinning, but God made it simple.
The 10 Commandments Simplified
So, the 10 commandments simplified is:
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
How does that verse make the 10 commandments simplified?
Well in simple terms, if you love God and people you will not be doing things to hurt them. The Commandments can be summed up with what Jesus said.
You won’t want to cheat, lie, steal, murder, lust, or break any of the other commandments. God’s laws are still good to know as they give us guidelines to what to do and what not to do and let’s us know God better by what grieves His heart.
But to love God with all your heart and soul and to love your neighbor as you love yourself, means you will actively work to follow these laws and not bring them harm and grief.
Free Printable 10 Commandments Page
I like being able to pull out the 10 Commandments easily when I’m discussing this topic with others. This free printable of the 10 Commandments will allow you to share it while you’re ministering or you can hand it out to a class. Or like me, can keep the readily available on the fridge.
Regardless of how you use them, I hope this free printable is useful for you whether you’re teaching or learning.
