The commandments God gave Moses in the Old Testament, along with over 600 other rules and regulations, govern Jewish conduct. In Judaism, following these laws demonstrates how the chosen people are expected to behave. Notably, Jews do not believe in the punishment of eternal damnation; instead, they focus on their actions in this life rather than the afterlife. There is no requirement of perfect righteousness to enter what they consider Heaven; they simply need to do their best.

In contrast, Christianity provides a clearer understanding of what is necessary to avoid Hell and enter Heaven. Through the new covenant with God (the New Testament), we learn that no one can always obey all the commandments; therefore, we depend on Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross, which provides forgiveness of sins, credits his righteousness to believers, and justifies them before God.

The primary commandments that should guide our behavior are summarized here, but it’s important to realize that the full range of commandments and teachings extends beyond what is presented here. Make it a priority to read the word of God daily to deepen your understanding of his will and what he expects from you.

Number One – Love God

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  ^{Mark 12:30}

The first and most important commandment clearly tells us to love God above all else. We are called to love him fully, with our whole being, putting him before everything else.

The word “love” can mean many things. In this context, it refers to love expressed through will, actions, dedication, commitment, and purpose. It comes from our gratitude for his mercy (the forgiveness of sins) and his saving grace, which make us heirs to his kingdom (our justification), as well as our humble respect (the fear of God) for who he is. Loving God in this way results in obedience to his will; if you love God, you will keep his commandments. This love is not based on feelings, friendship, or adherence to religious rituals.

It is crucial to understand that God takes this commandment seriously. It is a directive, not a suggestion. In the verse below, Moses tells the Jews about God’s intolerance toward those who reject his commands and love other gods (idols) of the world.

Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth. ^{Deuteronomy 6:14-15}

Solomon tells us in Proverbs, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” While fear is a starting point, it is through love that wisdom is fully realized. Those who love God and obey his commands will immerse themselves in his word, remain in his presence, and discover his wisdom.

Number Two – Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ^{Matthew 22:39}

The second greatest commandment is to love others as we love ourselves. Unlike our love of obedience to our Heavenly Father, this commandment emphasizes love as an act of service. We are called to love others as Jesus loved us. This includes qualities such as patience, tolerance, humility, service, support, encouragement, and edification. It is free from envy, coveting, arrogance, and self-serving attitudes.

This love isn’t just an emotion; it’s shown through our attitude, actions, and deeds. We’re not asked to like others, but to love them! When we interact with others, including those we might see as enemies, we should strive to treat them as Jesus would. Always remember to ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?”

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ^{John 15:12}

No Idolatry

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. ^{Exodus 20:3-6}

Idolatry is defined as loving anything more than God. The priorities we establish in our lives reveal what we idolize, and the things we idolize are those we ultimately serve. If you prioritize money, power, career, pleasure, sex, status, family, sports, entertainment, material possessions, or even religion above God, then those become your idols. Enjoy God’s blessings, but remember to serve only him, and beware of the temptation to turn good things in life into evil, sinful pursuits.

Do Not Commit Adultery

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. ^{Matthew 5:27-28}

Lust was a stumbling block for David, Samson, and many others in the Bible. Adultery is common today, and it has wrecked many lives. Lust remains one of Satan’s most powerful tools to lead us astray.

Do Not Take the Lord’s Name in Vain

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. ^{Exodus 20:7}

If there is a proper fear of God, this is not a problem. Using his name as an expletive or in any disrespectful or irreverent way dishonors and trivializes him. It is interesting to notice that for thousands of years, humanity has often disparaged God’s name. The long-standing tendency to profane his name is a sad confirmation of his existence and shows that society, as a whole, has no respect for or fear of God.

Do Not Murder, Steal or Lie

Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. ^{Exodus 20:13 & 15-16}

This is basic stuff. We learned it in kindergarten, except for the murder part—we learned about that later, by watching TV. Although these commands should be simple to follow, they are broken every day.

Do Not Covet

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. ^{Exodus 20:17}

To covet means to have a strong, wrongful desire to possess something. Covetousness stems from the motives, desires, and attractions of the heart. It represents an excessive love that elevates good things to the status of ultimate things. In this sense, covetousness is a form of idolatry because it directs our desires toward things other than God. This commandment emphasizes that we should love the Lord our God above everything else.

Coveting is the root of many sins. Adultery, lying, stealing, and even murder are often caused by covetousness. You cannot truly love your neighbors if you desire what they have. Overcoming covetousness requires a change of heart, which can only happen through the help of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, pray for his assistance in freeing you from worldly desires and strive for holiness; otherwise, your life may be ruined.

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ^{James 1:14-15}