Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
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Exodus 20:17
The Tenth Commandment: You Shall Not Covet Unlawfully
Reading: Psalm 37:1-40; Proverbs 2:1-5; Proverbs 6:20-35; James 1;13-15

You Shall Not Covet Unlawfully
There is nothing wrong with want or desire, which are simply euphemisms for “covet”. A desire is only as good or evil as that upon which it is set. If one craves something good, coveting is lawful. In contrast, the coveting of that which is unlawful is sin.

The tenth commandment, like the commandment prohibiting adultery, finds its roots in the heart. It condemns the craving of that which is forbidden. This final commandment reminds us that sin involves both outward actions which begin with inward desire. And it is our inner person, with his or her evil desires, which labels us as rebels against God.

God sets the boundaries of holiness. Sin is mankind’s response to exceed the boundaries which God has established. Whenever we set our hearts upon disobedience, we have already transgressed God’s law in our hearts.

Implication
Man cannot serve two masters (Luke 16:13). God’s command to people is that they serve (worship) only Him. It is impossible to worship God if we desire things displeasing to Him. God calls us to let go of everything else we hold dear and love Him above all.

Questions to ask Yourself
1. Are my desires pleasing to God?
2. What do I desire above Christ Jesus?
3. Am I willing to fulfil my desires my way or God’s way?   

​Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:16
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The Nineth Commandment: You Shall Not Bear False Witness
Reading: John 8:31, 32; Colossians 3:8-10; II John 1:4

You Shall Not Bear False Witness
To understand the nineth commandment prohibiting bearing false witness, we must study some word definitions. The words “bear” and “false” merit attention.

The Hebrew word for “bear” obviously refers to the speaking of untruth. Lying is certainly bearing a false witness. But the word for “bear” also means “to heed” or “listen to”. This second meaning of the word opens up a greater understanding of the nineth command. While it is true that speaking lies is bearing a false witness, it is just as true that entertaining untruth also bears false witness.

The word “false” in Exodus 20:16 holds an overt meaning of “untrue”, but a less conspicuous definition points to that which is “empty” or “without cause”. Dishonest speech is empty or vain. But even true words, spoken with the intent to harm, fall into being “without cause”. False talk, as it is found in the nineth commandment, is an utterance which is better left unsaid.

Scripture gives comprehensive examples of bearing false witness. It includes unjustly reporting of another (Deuteronomy 19:15-21), slander (Psalm 16:3), accusatory speech (Psalm 101:5-7), and even defamation (Proverbs 10:18). Active participation, either speaking or receiving such language, counts as a violation of the nineth commandment. A common term used for bearing false witness today is “gossip”.

There are three ways to avoid becoming a false witness. Always respect others (Proverbs 11:12). Keep silent (Proverbs 11:12, 13). Stay away from people who are false witnesses (Proverbs 20:19).

Implication
Falsehood, slander, and gossip are completely incompatible with a life of worship to Christ. We must always deal in truth and love.
 
Questions to Ask Yourself
1. Do I speak words that are true?
2. Do I speak the truth with the intent heal or harm?    

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:15

The Eighth Commandment: You Shall Not Steal
Reading: Matthew 21:12, 13; Ephesians 4:28

You Shall Not Steal
God’s command forbidding theft stands as a pillar which upholds human relationships. This is because honesty and fidelity build trust, a foundational requirement for relating well to another. Without trust, societies, whether they are a large nation or a small household, cannot thrive.
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Honesty is a universal value within every human heart. By this, I mean that no correct thinking individual desires to be deceived or robbed. Theft removes security. And a study of people quickly reveals that most people love security.

Theft comes in many forms. At its core, stealing is the taking that which does not rightfully belong to the taker. Such ill gotten possession requires defrauding or deceiving the rightful owner of whatever is being taken. The Bible lists such acts as borrowing without returning, business deception, and withholding what is due as thievery (Psalm 37:21; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Leviticus 19:13). There are also less obvious forms of theft. Bribery steals justice (Micah 7:3). Tax fraud steals from civil authority, which is designed by God to serve the public (Mark 12:14-17). Murder steals God’s gift of life from another (Genesis 4:8). Kidnapping is the theft of a human being (Exodus 20:6; I Timothy 1:8). Adultery and fornication steal trust, relationship, and innocence (II Samuel 12:1-9; I Thessalonians 4:3-6). In each case, robbery damages people.
It is even possible to rob God Almighty. He is robbed when we deny Him that which is rightfully His, such as proper worship (Malachi 3:8). Unbelievers rob the Lord of their own heart, a possession of God alone.

Implication
Theft and worship cannot coexist. Since stealing is condemned by God, those who wish to worship the Lord in truth and spirit must put away all deception. The unbeliever should give back his or her own life to the Creator of life. They do so by relying upon Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sin. Believers must not withhold worship of God, which is expressed through obedience to Christ. Believers must never take what is not rightfully their own possession. They must pay their bills and give what they owe to whom it is owed.

Questions to Ask Yourself
1. What am I withholding that God demands?
2. What am I taking that is not lawfully mine to have?

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 

Exodus 20:14
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The Seventh Commandment: You Shall Not Commit Adultery
Reading: Romans 13:8-10; John 8:2-11

You Shall Not Commit Adultery
Our present-day society increasingly dismisses the topic of adultery. More people, both without and within the Church, seemingly accept this behavior as acceptable to God. But we must understand that adultery is never acceptable to God.

Adultery is a breaking of faithfulness. Normally associated with marital infidelity, adultery also occurs when we are faithless to God (Jeremiah 3:6, 8, 9; Isaiah 1:21).

God clearly states His thoughts of faithlessness in His word. He calls it foolish (Proverbs 6:32) and unloving (Romans 13:9). Adultery is a sin (Genesis 39:9; I Corinthians 6:9,10; Hebrews 13:4). But although adultery is abhorrent to God, it is forgivable (John 8:10, 11; I Corinthians 6:9-11).

Jesus tells us that adultery begins within the heart (Matthew 5:27, 28). This is why believers must be careful to guard their hearts against it. We commit unfaithfulness in our hearts when we desire what is unlawful to God and set our hearts upon getting what we should not possess. It begins with a look, which, if not denied, leads to a want. If the desire is not rejected, we develop an intent to get that which God has forbidden. According to Jesus, when we get to this point, we have committed adultery within our heart. If the heart remains unrepentant, logical progression is acting upon that which we desire.

Implication
The battle against unfaithfulness can be won only through Christ. Believers must seek godly things rather than earthly things (Colossians 3:2). Ask the Father to give you a desire for His ways. When your mind takes a turn toward sin, give your thoughts to Christ. Immediately denying your mind to go in the wrong direction keeps you from sin.

If you experience a failure to be faithful to God’s law, change your direction. Confess your failure as sin and turn from it. God, through His Son, forgives and gives mercy (Proverbs 28:13).

Questions to Ask Yourself
1. Do my desires align with God’s desires?
2. Upon what things do I set my heart? ​

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:13
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The Sixth Commandment: You Shall Not Murder
Reading: Proverbs 1:10-16; I Timothy 1:8-11

You Shall Not Murder
Human life, made in the image (representation) of the Divine, is precious and should be preserved at all costs. Murder displays complete disregard for God’s ultimate creation.

The commandment not to commit murder applies to the individual who kills with
intent (Exodus 21:12-14; Numbers 35:17-21). It does not prohibit the justified taking of life by nations at war. We know this because God called Israel to times of war (Joshua 6:1-21). Similarly, justice exacted by government (capital punishment) does not equate to murder (Romans 13:3, 4). This is also true in the instance when taking life is done to protect innocent life (i.e. self-defense) (Genesis 14:1-16).

The Bible defines murder as an evil act which was punishable by death (Genesis. 9:6; Leviticus. 24:21; Deuteronomy19:11-13; Psalm 10:8). Taking innocent life is the opposite of love (Romans 13:9). It is a companion to hatred (I John 3:15).

Murder’s origin does not begin with the taking of physical life. Murder begins within the
heart (Matthew 5:21, 22). Hatred is the seed which, if left to germinate, produces this sinful act. This is why we must be very careful with the emotion of anger. If anger is not checked by love, it can quickly morph into hatred. We know we have fallen into hatred when we abhor or detest another person.

We walk in dangerous territory when we allow our hearts to detest another person. The act of murder follows hatred within the heart; a conviction that another person does not deserve to live and that we should be the executioner. Such activity within the heart must be confessed as sin before it manifests in action.

Implication
God’s people are never called to hatred. It is an emotion which has no rightful place within our hearts. Rather we are called to love…in all circumstances. God command to believers is always love, both for brethren and enemy (I John 4:20; Matthew 5:43, 44). Love is an act worship to God.

Questions to Ask Yourself
Who do you view as less than human?
Who do you view as undeserving of humane treatment?