As catholics, we all have attended Sunday school and catechism classes. One of the first things we are taught as Catholics and Christians is the 10 commandments. The origin of these commandments goes way back to over 3,000 years ago, God gave Moses a set of commandments – or laws – to His people to help guide them in how to live.
These Ten Commandments have become the foundation for moral behavior and rules in many cultures and faiths worldwide.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what each of these Catholic Ten Commandments is and what they mean. We’ll also explore some real-life examples to help make these ancient guidelines feel relevant and applicable today. Stick with me, and you’ll better understand where some of society’s expectations come from.
The First Three Commandments – Relationship with God
- I am the Lord your God – You shall have no other gods before Me
This first commandment establishes who’s the “main man” – the one true God. For people living back then and even today, there were all sorts of false gods they were tempted to worship, like the sun, moon, or made-up gods like Baal. But God makes it clear: He’s the only God they should worship. This commandment reminds people not to put other things first and “worship” money, fame, sports, or even themselves, but instead to focus on God.
- You shall not make idols
This commandment goes hand-in-hand with the first. Idol worship was quite common in ancient times – people would literally bow down and worship statues of false gods. But this commandment isn’t just about physical statues – it’s about making anything more important than the real God.
- You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
This one is about showing respect for God’s name. That means not misusing it frivolously (“Oh my God, I just love those shoes.”) or even as a curse word. God’s name is holy – it stands for who He is. So we shouldn’t use His name lightly without thinking.
The Next Four Commandments – Relationship with Others
- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
God commanded His followers to set aside one day each week to rest and worship Him. Our calendars now follow the seven-day weekly cycle because of the influence of the Ten Commandments.
For Orthodox Jewish people, not working on the Sabbath is still extremely important.
5. Honor your father and your mother
This commandment is all about respecting authority and those who care for us, starting with our parents. Parents aren’t perfect, but they sacrifice a lot for their kids. They are the reason for our existence. So, we should honor them even when we disagree.
- You shall not murder
This is one of the most straightforward of the Ten Commandments – no killing other people. God values human life because He made each of us in His image. Of course, very few people commit outright murder. But even being angry or hateful toward others misses the heart of this commandment.
- You shall not commit adultery
This commandment prohibits being sexually unfaithful in marriage. When people marry, they promise to be committed only to their spouse. Adultery breaks that promise and hurts people we should love.
Even though none of us are married yet, this commandment also relates to dating relationships. The adultery commandment warns us not to hurt others like this through unfaithfulness.
The Last Three Commandments – Relationship with Self
- You shall not steal
It’s pretty obvious why this one made God’s top ten rule list. Stealing is just selfish – taking what belongs to someone else. But when I think about it, there are more subtle ways to steal, too, like cheating on a test or “borrowing” money from my sister’s purse without asking. This commandment reminds me that I need to respect others’ stuff.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
This is an old-fashioned way of saying “don’t lie.” False witness means testifying falsely against someone. But again, there are lots of other forms of lying that can damage people. Gossip, exaggeration, even little white lies – they all twist the truth.
- You shall not covet
Coveting means jealousy, wanting something that belongs to others. Instead of being content with my own stuff, my eyes start wandering to what my friends have – clothes, gadgets, boyfriends or girlfriends, grades, talents, cars, money – you name it. This commandment reminds me to be grateful for what I have instead of what I lack. God blesses each of us uniquely.
The Bottom Line
So those are the Ten Commandments that God gave His people over 3,000 years ago. Though they may use some old-fashioned language, these rules for living hold timeless wisdom. They urge us to love God first, honor others, and live honestly. The Ten Commandments remind us not to hurt people or be controlled by jealousy. If we kept these laws perfectly, our world would be a more loving place.
Obviously, no one is able to keep the Ten Commandments 100%. God doesn’t expect perfection from us. He is ready to forgive us when we fall short. The commandments show us God’s ideals for human behavior while also revealing our need for God’s mercy and help. That’s why they remain so important today.
