New 10 Commandments?

Churches Adopt New Ten Commandments

Wow, the “New Ten Commandments” is being accepted by over 600 churches in the UK under a DVD title called “Just 10 for Churches”. Some of them were listed in the news story, but I had to search for the rest of them, and try to figure out where they fit. I think I’ve got it matched up here:

1. You shall have no other gods before Me………………“know God”
2 You shall not make for yourself a graven image…... “catch your breath”
3. You shall not use the Lord’s name in vain……………..“take God seriously”
4. Remember the Sabbath……………………………………..…“live by priorities”
5. Honor your father and mother………………………..…..“keep the peace with your parents”
6. You shall not murder………………………………….……..….“manage your anger”
7. You shall not commit adultery……………………....….….“affair-proof your relationships”
8. You shall not steal………………………………………....……..“prosper with a clear conscience”
9. You shall not bear false witness………………………..….“hold to the truth”
10. You shall not covet………………………………….…………..“find contentment”

I find this completely ridiculous. We don’t need to sugarcoat the Law, even my 9 year old knows the Ten Commandments – do you?

“Know God” – What does that mean? Can I know God and still have a wooden idol on a shelf, a little good luck charm of some sort?
“Catch your breath” – What? That doesn’t even make any sense for any of the Commandments, it only falls in here after the others seemed to be in place. I have no idea what this is supposed to mean.
“Take God seriously” – Ok. I can still curse with His name though, right? Because He knows my heart and it’s no big deal really. Right?
“Live by priorities” – Whatever. We already live by priorities, and most often, God isn’t anywhere near the top of that list.
“Keep the peace with your parents” – Well, a good way to keep from upsetting your parents is simply not let them know what’s going on in your life. They might not approve, besides, we got nothing to lose, right?
“Manage your anger” – Are you kidding me? The sixth commandment seems to have devolved into some sort of anger management class?
“Affair-proof your marriage” – Did you realize that the original 7th Commandment includes fornication as well as adultery? In fact, Jesus said that if you merely look with lust, you’ve already committed adultery in your heart.
“Prosper with a clear conscience” – Sounds kinda Vulcan to me. Spock meets Joel Osteen?
“Hold to the truth” – Kinda weak and sugary.
“Find contentment” – Just don’t find it in other people’s stuff.

Here’s what it says in the New Testament about the Ten Commandments:

1. You shall have no other gods before me (Matt 4:10, Acts 14:15, Rev 21:8).

2. You shall not make for yourself an idol (1 John 5:21, Luke 16:13, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Rev 21:8).

3. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God (Matt 5:34-35, James 5:12, Matt 12:36).

4. "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy (Mark 2:27-28, Col 2:16).

5. Honor your father and your mother (Eph 6:1, Matt 19:18-19).

6. You shall not murder (Matt 5:21-22, 1 John 3:15, Rom 13:9, Matt 19:18-19, Rev 21:8).

7. You shall not commit adultery (Matt 5:28, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Rev 21:8, Matt 19:18-19, Rom 13:9).

8. You shall not steal (Eph 4:28, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Rom 13:9, Matt 19:18-19).

9. You shall not give false testimony (lying) (Col 3:9-10, Rev 21:8, Matt 12:36, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Matt 19:18-19).

10. You shall not covet (Eph 5:3, Luke 12:15, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Rom 13:9).