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10 Commandments Teach How to Love People

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

10 Commandments Teach Us to Love God — (Click to enlarge in Pinterest & repin.)

For society to rid itself of the Ten Commandments isn’t merely a way of getting rid of God but it is a way of turning our world into a place that is more and more filled with lovers of self.

Why? Because the Ten Commandments teach us how to love not only God but also people.

In the previous post we already looked at the first four commandments as those which teach us how to love God. Now we turn our attention to the remaining commands to learn how to love people.

Which of the Ten Commandments listed in Exodus 20 teach us how to love people?

Command #5: Honor your father and your mother … (Ex. 20:12)

Loving people begins with our earliest of relationships, that of a parent and child, whether biological or adoptive. If we don’t learn to honor those who love us and care for our well-being, even when we disagree with them, certainly such disrespect will transfer over into other relationships. Love does not dishonor others (1 Cor. 13:5).

Command #6: You shall not murder. (Ex. 20:13)

To love people is to value life. Each person’s life matters. It is not for us to judge who lives and dies. To love people is to forgive them and not take vengeance into our own hands. Love “keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Cor. 13:5). Rather, we entrust ourselves, and them, to God for Him to do what is right and best for all.

Command #7: You shall not commit adultery. (Ex. 20:14)

Committing adultery speaks to being unfaithful in the most committed relationship God ordained between two people. True love is not self-seeking (1 Cor. 13:5) so even when the relationship is strained, we remain true to that commitment. Love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Cor. 13:7).

Command #8: You shall not steal. (Ex. 20:15)

To steal is to to “wrongly take and use” something that does not belong to you (Merriam-Webster). Consequently, stealing wrongs another person because we are taking what belongs to them. True love does the opposite. It protects (1 Cor. 13:7). At first glance we might say this command refers to having respect for other people’s property. Keep in mind, that we can steal other things like their time by wasting it, like their dignity by belittling them, like the honor that is due them by claiming credit for their idea or accomplishment, etc. Parents can even steal their child’s emotional well-being by not caring for them as they should.

Command #9: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. (Ex. 20:16)

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” (1 Cor. 13:6) Consequently, if we love someone, we turn away from slandering them or making them look bad before others. We don’t ruin someone’s reputation just to make ourselves look good or to get what we want.

Command #10: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, … or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Ex. 20:17)

Coveting leads to nothing but relational problems, all of which demonstrate a lack of love. — “You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.” (James 4:2) We need to learn to genuinely be glad for what others have, not jealous of their relationships or property for “love does not envy” (1 Cor. 13:4).

The Ten Commandments began by teaching us how to love God. When we learn to love Him, fulfilling these commands that teach us how to love people tends to fall into place because love for people flows out of our love for God.

10 Commandments Teach How to Love God

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 7 Comments ↓

If we get rid of the 10 Commandments from our society, we don’t merely lose a moral code, we forget how to show love to God and others for these commands teach us HOW TO LOVE both God and people. Remember that Jesus identified the Greatest Commandments as loving God and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. That means any other commandment must be a sub-point of these two commands for “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matt 22:35-40).

In this post we will look at the commandments that teach us how to love God. The next post will consider the commandments that teach us how to love people so be sure to subscribe to receive e-mail notice of new posts if not already subscribed.

Which of the Ten Commandments listed in Exodus 20 teach us how to love God?

The first four commandments relate to our relationship with God. He is first, and then people.

Command #1: You shall have no other gods before me. (Ex. 20:3)

Jesus said we are to love God with ALL of who we are which means we put Him first in terms of priority, importance, and devotion. We give Him the reigns of our lives, not allowing ourselves to come under the control of others things or people. He is our first love who has ALL of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Command #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 … (Ex. 20:4-6)

When we truly love someone, we accept them for who they are. Likewise, love for God keeps us from trying to redefine Him or confining or limiting Him to our understanding. He is the one of whom there is none greater. He is so great that we can’t possibly fashion anything physically or mentally that comes close to describing who He is, and we dishonor Him if we try.

Command #3: You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God … (Ex. 20:7)

Who dishonors or disrespects those they love? If anything, we dignify them before others. If we love God, we will honor Him in the way we both speak and live so He is glorified. We let our light shine for Him (Matt. 5:16).

Command #4: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy … (Ex. 20:8-11)

When we love someone, we want to spend time with them. When we love God, we likewise intentionally and purposefully set aside time to rest in Him. We guard against getting so busy that He is scheduled out of our lives.

Keeping these first four commandments shows that you do indeed love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. It’s not about meriting God’s love through our obedience but rather showing Him love.

What Type of Heart Do You Have?

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 14 Comments ↓

Proverbs, a book filled with much wisdom for everyday living, speaks much about the heart, contrasting different kinds of hearts.

How Proverbs Characterizes Different Kinds of Hearts

One type of heart is filled with goodness characterized as:

cheerful heart (Prov. 15:15; 17:22)
discerning heart (Prov. 15:14)
happy heart (Prov. 15:13)
peaceful heart (Prov. 14:30)
pure heart (Prov. 20:9; 22:11)
trusting heart (Prov. 3:5-6)
wise heart (Prov. 10:8; 16:21; 23:15)

The other kind of heart is filled with foolishness characterized as:

corrupt heart (Prov. 17:20)
deceitful heart (Prov. 6:14)
evil heart (Prov. 26:23)
hardened heart (Prov. 28:14)
haughty heart(Prov. 18:12)
lusting heart (Prov. 6:25)
proud heart (Prov. 16:5; 21:4)
heart that devises wicked schemes (Prov. 6:18)
heart that rages against the LORD (Prov. 19:3)

Yet another heart is filled with burdens characterized as:

heavy heart (Prov. 25:20)
sick heart (Prov. 13:12)

The Type of Heart You Have Matters

The book of Proverbs provides a number of verses that let us know why the kind of heart we have matters.

Above All Guard Your Heart — (Click image to enlarge in Pinterest & repin.)

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Prov. 4:23)

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. (Prov. 17:3)

A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. (Prov. 21:2)

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. (Prov. 27:19)

For a good study, take some time to look up the verses listed above under each type of heart. You will find consequences that affect and influence not only your own life but sometimes the lives of others. The type of heart you have does matter!

So, how can you have a good heart?

Exhortation Versus Criticism

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Ministry Tools Resource Center

Recently I was looking at the website stats and saw that someone found the site when searching the question, “What is the difference between exhortation and criticism?” I would suppose this site came up in the search results due to the training on the spiritual gift of exhortation. Nonetheless, it got me to thinking about it.

What’s the Difference Between Exhortation and Criticism

Exhortation is a spiritual gift God has given some people to serve. (Rom. 12:8)
Criticism is not a spiritual gift.

Exhortation is a command all believers are to engage in with one another. (1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 3:13)
Criticism is not commanded.

That pretty well sums it up.

Is Being Critical of Others Ever Right?

Obviously we are not to ignore the wrongdoings or mistakes of others. Sometimes it would help for them to know what they are doing wrong, not just what they are doing right. The Bible does indeed tell us to speak the truth but in that same verse we are instructed to do so “in love” (Eph. 4:15). 2 Timothy 2:24-25a says, “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition.” We must never lay aside the qualities of love (1 Cor. 13:4-7) when confronting someone about the error of their ways.

We must always consider our motivations as well as the way we approach someone. That is what truly makes the difference between exhortation and criticism.

Exhortation builds up whereas criticism often tears down. (Eph. 4:29)

Exhortation comes from a standpoint of coming alongside of the person (paraklesis) whereas criticism usually comes from an aloof or superior position.

Exhortation tends to bring hope and encouragement whereas criticism tends to lead to despair and discouragement. (1 Thess. 4:18; 2 Pet. 3:3-4)

Exhortation helps people become what God wants them to be whereas criticism tends to emphasize what people should not be. (Heb. 10:24)

Exhortation is built upon caring concern whereas criticism stems from judgmentalism and disapproval. (Matt. 7:1-5; Col. 3:13; Gal. 6:1)

Exhortation should lead to conviction whereas criticism can bring condemnation. (Heb. 3:13)

So, the next question is: Why criticize when exhortation is so much more effective?

Want to Be More Discerning? – Get Into the Word

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

God's Word Needed to be Discerning
People who rarely get into the Word tend to be rather shallow in their understanding of God and His ways. Consequently, they are not quick to use Him as the standard in making decisions. Their own experience or feelings often form the basis for interpreting life because that is what they know.

The Need for Getting into God’s Word to be Discerning

Biblically illiterate and anemic Christians have little base for making sound judgments, for being discerning.

In the first post of this series, you were told to look to God if you want to be more discerning.

Where are you going to learn about God? — from His Word

In the second post, you were told to start from the inside out if you want to be more discerning.

What does God use to test our hearts and minds? — His Word “for the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).

In the third post, you were told to learn to love more.

If you want to learn to love, you have to get to know the God of the Bible. The Word is God’s love story.

Discernment and Training Through God’s Word Go Hand in Hand

Perhaps you want to get into God’s Word but find it too hard. I’m not going to try to convince you that it is easy. But, if you want to be more discerning, which is essential to living wisely in today’s world, you must get into God’s Word. If this process was going to be easy, Hebrews 5:14 wouldn’t refer to it as training. — But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Heb. 5:14)

1) Training takes hard work, often sacrifice.

2) Training requires devotion, a commitment.

3) Training demands consistency (“constant use”).

Think about people who follow a training regime. In the beginning it is very hard. In time, if they persevere, though it is still work, it seems easier and often more enjoyable. In the end it is worth it.

If you are not feeding on the Word, you are feeding on the world. That will only lead to poor, unhealthy, and harmful choices. What in reality is evil will look good because you will not have by constant feeding on the meat of God’s Word trained yourself to distinguish good from evil.

Here’s a Helpful Resource: New to Bible Reading Discipleship Tool

Want to be More Discerning? – Learn to Love More

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 3 Comments ↓

What does love have to do with discernment?

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:9-11)

According to Jesus, love for God and love for people are the greatest commandments (Matt. 22:37-40). Doesn’t it then make sense that we look at life through the lens of love, first for God and then people? Shouldn’t we examine what we say and do in light of this higher principle of love? Doesn’t it make sense that making choices based on and out of love will help us have have the right and eternal perspective? Surely we should pursue love as our primary purpose.

How We Will Be More Discerning When We Learn to Love More

Governed by love, we will stop and ask questions like the following to help discern what to do.

Is this activity something a person who loves God would do?
Do those words build up people rather than destroy them?
Will this choice lead to an expression of love for God and/or people?

The love we speak of is “agape” – God’s love, not our finite rendition of love. God is love and so in reality, we are using God as the standard when distinguishing the best course of action. This is why we must be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.”

What does discernment born out of love lead to?

When God loves, He gives. His is a sacrificial love. And so, when we discern based on and because of agape love, we will set aside our feelings of entitlement and get beyond having to do that which is most convenient or comfortable to us.

When God loves, He gives His very best. And so, when we discern based on and because of agape love, we will make choices that lead “to the glory and praise of God.”