The Ten Commandments, and Sins Against Them

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT

Exodus 20:2-6

I am the Lord, your God, you shall not have any other God besides me.

(Goal) - to give God alone the worship that He alone deserves.

Sins - to set any creature, person or thing as an object of worship or the source of happiness, truth or moral guide.

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT

Exodus 20:7

You shall not take the name of the Lord, Your God, in vain.

(Goal) - to speak with reverence about God and to revere His name; to be truthful in taking oaths and to be faithful to our vows.

Sins - to call upon God to bear witness to lie; to use the Lord's name out of anger; calling down evil on a person, place or thing or wishing bodily harm; blasphemy (showing contempt for God.)


THE THIRD COMMANDMENT

Exodus 20:8-11

Remember to keep holy the Sabbath Day.

(Goal) - to give due honor to God by putting time aside to worship Him.

Sins - missing mass purposely; not keeping Holy Days of Obligation; unnecessary work on Sundays.


THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT

Exodus 20:12

Honor your father and your mother.

(Goal) - to respect and love our parents; to obey them and to help them; to respect and obey those in authority (unless they order something which would be contrary to your conscience.).

Sins - disrespect; unkindness; disobedience, to our parents and all those placed in legitimate authority.


THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT

Exodus 20:13

You shall not kill.

(Goal) to respect life; to love others and to respect the spiritual well-being of others and yourself.

Sins - murder; suicide; fighting; anger; hatred; revenge; drunkenness; reckless driving; injuring someone's soul by giving bad example.


THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT

Exodus 20:14

You shall not commit adultery.

(Goal) - to be pure and modest in our behavior.

Sins - All impurity and immodesty in words, looks, and actions, whether alone or with others; masturbation; impure conversations; dirty jokes; looking at impure pictures or movies; impurities with others; undue familiarity with the oppostie sex; homosexual activity.


THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT

Exodus 20:15

You shall not steal.

(Goal) - to respect what belongs to others; to live up to business agreements; and to pay our just debts.

Sins - stealing; cheating; dishonesty; keeping what belongs to others; damaging another's property; accepting a bribe; we are also obliged to repay or restore any stolen goods or their value, when we are able.


THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT

Exodus 20:16

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

(Goal) - to speak the truth in all things.

Sins - lies, harming the good name of others; rash judgement; detraction; slander (calumny); telling secrets we are bound to keep.


The Ninth Commandment

Exodus 20:17

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. (Desire)

(Goal) - to be pure in thought and desire.

Sins - impure thoughts and desires. (If they are brought on by ourselves or if we entertain them once they pop into our thoughts.)


The Tenth Commandment

Exodus 20:17

You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Sins - all desires to take or to keep what belongs to others; to envy the success of others.

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Last Updated
By Jim Drzymala 9/20/95