SIXTH COMMANDMENT: "Thou shalt not kill."

This is such a simple command of only a few words, and yet it is still not fully
interpreted or understood by mankind. The early Hebrews, who were first given this
command by Moses, believed it only referred to their fellow Hebrews; that they were
still permitted to kill their enemies, slay animals for food, clothes, and sacrifice, and to
punish those who broke the law. But that was merely their interpretation. Over the
years, we have seen unspeakable murders and crimes committed in the name of
"religion," and yet God tells us: "Thou shalt not kill." A close look at history and
customs will show that man has evolved for the better in spite of all the crime and
wars that plague us. We know it is wrong to take another human's life out of personal
hate. But we still are searching for those final practical solutions to issues such as
capital punishment, abortion, embryonic and medical research using fetuses or animals,
killing animals for food and clothing, etc.

 

In the meantime, there is still much each individual can do to strengthen the law behind

this Sixth Commandment. We learn from Jesus that there is a more spiritual essence

to this law when he said: "Ye have heard it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt

not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto

you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the

judgment." (Matthew 5:21-22)  This tells us that being angry with another is just as

wrong as actually killing them. That is because anger is a form of hate, and hate kills.

It is especially harmful to the one who hates.

 

It is vitally important for us to work on our Living Monument to the Sixth Command-

ment. We do this by daily watching our thoughts to challenge every angry or hateful

thought; to develop an attitude of love by expressing patience, kindness, humility,

tolerance, mercy, and forgiveness. These Godlike qualities will destroy hate before

it has a chance to destroy ourselves and others.

SEVENTH COMMANDMENT: "Thou shalt not commit adultery."

Usually when a person argues that the Ten Commandments are old-fashioned, out-of-
date, or irrelevant, this is the Commandment they have in mind! Humans love to justify
behavior they are not willing to change or discipline. But would God issue a com-

mand for His children that they would be unable to obey? A God who is Love would

not. To me, this hints at the fact taught by Christian Science that man is the spiritual

image and likeness of God. We are not mortals. We are not animals. We are pure,

innocent, spiritual beings at one with our heavenly Parent.

 

This Commandment was meant as a protection to human families, as well as being

a warning not to mix impurities into our naturally pure consciousness. Refraining

from sex with someone not our marriage partner is one meaning of this law, but it

also includes being faithful to God, as well. We should be true amd faithful to our

pure, spiritual nature. To do this we must try to maintain our innocence, to identify

ourselves as God's child, not as the offspring of mortals with animal instincts.

 

If we should slip and slide over this issue, we still have reason to commit to our

purity once we realize the importance of this law. Our true identity forever remains

pure, no matter what we, as humans, have done in the past. Our goal is to conform

our present actions to this truth -- "Go, and sin no more," as Jesus once said.

Otherwise, we will continue to suffer for our disobedience. We must not fool

ourselves into thinking we can continue to commit adultery, with the self-justification
that, in reality, we are spiritual and pure. That is hypocrisy and a poor foundation for
our "monument."

 

We can start building our Living Monument to the Seventh Commandment by

supporting and loving all efforts to be morally clean and pure in thought, word, and

action. Pay attention to the movies and television you watch, the music you listen

to, the books and magazines you read. Are you polluting the atmosphere of your mind
with mental poisons? Are you allowing your own children to watch entertainment too
mature for their young minds to handle? These earthy images are toxic and may plant
the seeds of adultery. Our children need protection. We all need to cherish and
protect our innocence. Mary Baker Eddy writes: "Never breathe an immoral
atmosphere, unless in the attempt to purify it." (S&H p. 452)

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT: "Thou shalt not steal"

You may never have been tempted to steal anything, such as shoplifting at a store or
robbing a bank, but there are many activities you might never have considered to be
forms of stealing. For instance, taking things secretly, or by trickery, or by bullying
others, is a form of theft. Manipulating others to get what you want is stealing. If an
action is right and just, then it should be done with openness and sincerity. If not,
then at least know that you are disobeying the Eighth Commandment when you use
less-than-honest measures to get your own way, or take what does not rightfully
belong to you. Do you cheat on your taxes? That is stealing. Have you ever
damaged a person's reputation or good character by vicious or mindless gossip
and innuendo? That is stealing. Have you broken this Commandment by stealing
opportunities or positions that were meant for others? Have you ever broken in line
in front of others who have been waiting? Stealing.

 

These actions may all sound petty, but to those who have learned that the Ten

Commandments are universal laws that have consequences when broken, even in

the smallest detail, they are all aspects of "stealing" from God, our "neighbors," and

ourselves.

 

To be a Living Monument to the Eighth Commandment, you must set an example for

all to see, especially your children. Would children shoplift or steal, if they had

never seen it done, or had parents who consistently upheld the standards indicated

in the Ten Commandments? (Toddlers are exempted -- they think everything is

theirs for the taking!) Would children cheat at school -- another form of stealing -- if

they realized that integrity is more important than the temporary success of a good

grade? Have you ever called in sick to get a day off from work, even when you were

perfectly healthy? Then why be surprised if your children pretend to be sick or tired

into order to get out of school or chores?

 

Jesus explains why it is worthless to steal: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon

earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth

corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." (Matthew 6:19-20) The

spiritual truth behind this is that God has provided each of us with all we really

need, even though we may be unaware of what we have. We have no reason to steal

or manipulate people or situations, when we realize that God is Love, our Father-

Mother, forever giving, giving, giving to all.

 

Mary Baker Eddy writes: "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give

you daily supplies. Never ask for tomorrow: it is enough that divine Love is an

ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every

moment." (Miscellaneous Writings 307:1-5)

 

Be a Living Monument to the Eighth Commandment by radiating trust in God to

provide for us all, in His own way and wisdom.