When I think about the Ten Commandments, just like most of you, I realize how guilty I am of breaking every single one of them. I’m not standing here acting like I’ve got it all together, because trust me, I don’t. I’ve put God on the back burner more times than I care to admit, chasing after things that never satisfied, making decisions that led me to stumble and fail. Every time I look at these commandments, I’m reminded of those moments in my life where I chose my way over God’s way, and the mess I made because of it.
The thing is, most of us treat the Ten Commandments like religious rules. But they’re not about religion—they’re about relationship. God didn’t give us these commandments to tie us up in ritual and tradition. Religion is man-made. It’s our attempt to control how we interact with God, a list of dos and don’ts that we think makes us right in His eyes. But God? He never wanted religion. He wants our hearts. He wants us to live in relationship with Him, not just check off boxes on some spiritual to-do list.
Look at the Pharisees—they were experts in the law. They followed every rule to the letter, and yet Jesus had His harshest words for them. Why? Because they had it all backward. They were so wrapped up in following religious rules that they completely missed the point of relationship with God. Jesus even called them out in Matthew 23:23, saying they were obsessed with the smallest details of the law but missed the bigger picture—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. They were experts in religion, but their hearts were far from God.
Let me tell you, I’ve been guilty of that same kind of thinking. I’ve been guilty of letting religion get in the way of my relationship with God. I thought if I just did the right things, said the right prayers, and showed up at church, I was good. But the truth is, it’s not about what I can do—it’s about what God has already done. And those commandments? They’re not hoops to jump through; they’re God’s way of showing us how to live in harmony with Him and with each other.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). I’ve broken this one so many times. I wish I could say I’ve always put God first, but I haven’t. There were times I put success, money, and my own selfish desires ahead of Him. I thought I could handle life on my own, but when you push God aside, you quickly realize how empty that road is. Nothing fills that void except God.
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image” (Exodus 20:4). We might not be bowing down to golden statues anymore, but we’ve got our modern idols. I’ve been guilty of idolizing my career, my image, and what others think of me. We carve out idols in our hearts, and when we let these things define us, we lose sight of who God made us to be. I’ve been there, chasing the approval of others instead of living in the identity God gave me.
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” (Exodus 20:7). I’ve treated God’s name casually more than once—not just with my words, but with my life. How many times have I claimed to follow God, yet lived like He was an afterthought? I was living a double life, saying one thing on Sunday and living another way during the week. That’s taking God’s name in vain, and I’m guilty of it.
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). Rest? Yeah, that’s something I’ve neglected. I used to think that my work was more important than my time with God. I was caught up in the hustle, constantly moving, and neglecting to pause and be still before Him. You can’t live in constant chaos and expect to have peace. When I ignored this commandment, I was worn out spiritually and physically.
“Honor thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12). Respect is something I’ve struggled with, especially when it comes to authority. There were times when I failed to honor those who raised me and those in leadership. Rebellion is in all of us, and I let that rebellion break relationships that God wanted me to protect.
“Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). Now, I’ve never physically taken a life, but Jesus made it clear that harboring anger is like murder in the heart (Matthew 5:21-22). I’ve held onto bitterness, anger, and resentment, letting it eat away at me. I’ve allowed that anger to kill the spirit of forgiveness and love that God calls us to have.
“Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). Adultery starts in the heart. I’ve let the world’s temptations creep in, and I’m guilty of allowing impure thoughts to take hold. Jesus wasn’t joking when He said even looking at someone with lust is committing adultery in your heart (Matthew 5:28). Purity isn’t just about actions—it’s about guarding your heart and mind. And I’ve stumbled in this area too.
“Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15). Stealing isn’t just about taking physical things. I’ve stolen time from God. I’ve held back what belongs to Him—my devotion, my energy, my focus. I’ve been guilty of taking more for myself and giving God what was leftover. But God deserves my first and best, not my scraps.
“Thou shalt not bear false witness” (Exodus 20:16). Honesty isn’t always easy. I’ve twisted the truth, gossiped, and withheld honesty to make things easier for myself. Lies damage relationships, and I’ve seen that damage firsthand. Every time I’ve been dishonest, it hurt more than just my integrity—it put distance between me and God because He is the source of all truth.
“Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:17). I’ve coveted what others have. I’ve looked at people’s success, their possessions, their lives, and wished I had what they did. And when you do that, you’re telling God that what He’s given you isn’t enough. I’ve let that discontentment rob me of joy, and I’ve missed out on seeing the blessings right in front of me.
Here’s the truth: I’ve stumbled and failed, but through it all, I’ve seen God’s grace. The Ten Commandments aren’t about condemning us—they’re about showing us the way to live in freedom. God didn’t give them to burden us with religious obligations. He gave them because He loves us and wants us to experience the fullness of life with Him.
Religion says, “Follow these rules and maybe you’ll be good enough for God.” But God says, “Come to Me, and I’ll set you free” (Matthew 11:28). Religion complicates things. God simplifies them. It’s about love. It’s about a relationship with the One who created you. Always has been, always will be.