Exodus 20: 12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Today’s sermon will be divided into two halves. In the first half, I will share a basic understanding of each of the fifth to tenth commandments using the Genevan Catechism written by John Calvin, and I will then add on my own reflections of the commandment in the current Singaporean context. In the second half, I will reflect on these commandments as a whole based on the general principle of loving our neighbours as ourselves.
“We begin with “Honor your father and mother.”[i] What does it mean to honor? It’s not just about obedience—it’s about showing respect, being humble, and being willing to help and care for them. Calvin teaches, the commandment to honor our parents also extends to honoring those in positions of authority, like teachers, leaders, and other superiors. God has placed them in those roles, and by respecting them, we honor God Himself.” [ii]
- However, in today’s world, with the rise of movements like mental health awareness, it’s important to acknowledge that some people may come from toxic family environments. Honoring parents today may mean setting healthy boundaries, instead of just demanding blind obedience.
- Amid COVID-19, we are also alerted to the need to help the vulnerable elderly overcome challenges with technological devices. Those who are younger should show compassion to those who struggle with the rapid changes of society.
- Honoring other forms of authority is a challenge in an era where questioning institutions and mocking at political leadership is common. The 5th commandment challenges us to balance our calls for accountability with proper respect for those in positions of authority.
“Next, we come to the commandment, “You shall not kill.” On the surface, this seems straightforward, but God’s commands are not just about outward actions. He also cares about our hearts. This commandment includes things like hatred, anger, and any desire to harm others. God calls us to love our neighbors and to seek their good, not just avoid physical harm. To truly follow this commandment, we must remove anger, resentment, and bitterness from our hearts and replace them with love and kindness.”[iii]
- Today’s context is an era of increasing online bullying, cancel culture, and political polarization. While few people commit literal murder, words and actions online can “kill” someone’s reputation, peace of mind, or mental health. Hate speech, doxxing, and online harassment are forms of modern “murder” that can have long-lasting, even deadly effects, particularly among teenagers and young adults. This commandment calls us to pursue reconciliation and resist the dehumanization of those with whom we disagree online.
- Besides online violence, I have been reading in the news about quite a few school violence recently. It is important to note that in some cases, bystanders were also punished, and I think that is fair.[iv] We should all play a part to prevent violence of all kinds.
“The seventh commandment, “You shall not commit adultery,” is about living a pure life. This goes beyond just avoiding sinful actions—it’s also about purity in our thoughts, words, and desires. Our bodies and souls are temples of the Holy Spirit, so we must guard our hearts against anything that leads to impurity. We are called to live in a way that reflects the holiness of God, not only in our actions but in our innermost thoughts.”[v]
- In the last five years, the proliferation of dating apps, social media, and instant communication has led to new challenges with this commandment. Adultery may not only refer to physical acts but also secretive emotional connections, suggestive text messages, or inappropriate exchanges on social media.
- Pornography has become increasingly accessible, and its consumption can damage personal relationships and mental health. Anther worrying trend is increasing reports of people taking upskirt videos and hidden cameras in shower areas. God’s call to purity challenges us to cultivate healthy and respectful views on sexuality, relationships, and commitment.
“The eighth commandment is “You shall not steal.” Again, this commandment isn’t just about outright theft. It speaks against dishonesty in all its forms, whether through stealing, cheating, or any form of unjust gain. It’s a reminder to be content with what we have and to ensure that we’re protecting and preserving the property and well-being of others.”[vi]
The concept of stealing today in the digital age, it includes things like data breaches, identity theft, hacking, and intellectual property theft. Many have fallen prey to scammers. So be mindful of what you download. May I also issue a reminder to some who might justify small acts like pirating content, evading taxes, or “cutting corners” at work, thinking that it is fine as long as no one is hurt. The 8th commandment reminds us to maintain integrity, even in tough times, by respecting the property, creativity, and resources of others. On that note, I should inform everyone that for today’s sermon, I relied on ChatGPT to summarize John Calvin’s writings for me. I used it to convert writings in old English to language suitable for youths.
“Next, the commandment, “You shall not bear false witness,” teaches us about truthfulness. This isn’t just about lying in court; it’s about our entire approach to truth and honesty. Slander, gossip, and false accusations are serious sins, and they damage not only those we speak about but also our own integrity. God wants us to build others up with our words, not tear them down. Even in our thoughts, we should avoid misjudging others or assuming the worst. We’re called to esteem others highly and to protect their reputations whenever possible.”[vii]
With the rise of “fake news,” the 9th commandment is extremely relevant. In recent years, we’ve seen the dangerous consequences of spreading falsehoods. Social media has made it easy for rumors and conspiracy theories to spread rapidly, with real-world consequences. Disinformation refers deliberately misleading or biased information; manipulated narrative or facts; propaganda. Whereas misinformation refers to false information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead. We may be less guilty of disinformation, but spreading misinformation makes us an accomplice. Bearing false witness today includes sharing unverified information, misrepresenting facts, or participating in slander and defamation online. The same applies to gossiping about a friend or colleague. We must be careful to speak truthfully and constructively.
“Lastly, we come to “You shall not covet.” This commandment addresses the desires of our hearts. It’s not just about actions—it’s about what goes on inside us. We are to guard against envy and the temptation to desire what belongs to others. Even if these desires don’t lead to outward actions, they can still take root in our hearts, corrupting us. God wants our hearts to be pure, free from greed and discontentment.”[viii]
In a world where we are constantly exposed to the curated lives of others via Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms, this commandment has profound implications. Coveting is rampant when we compare our lives to the filtered, seemingly perfect lives of others. This commandment calls us to practice gratitude, contentment, and self-reflection. Rather than constantly seeking what others have, we are called to appreciate what God has provided us with. It also warns against the consumerist mindset—always wanting the next big thing, whether it’s the latest gadget, car, or career opportunity.
After surveying and reflecting on each of the 5th to 10th commandments, we shall now look at them as a whole. Paul summarized them in this way in Romans 13: 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
What is loving your neighbor as yourself? Allow me to paraphrase a section from Calvin’s teachings, again with the help of ChatGPT.[ix] When the Bible tells us to put others before ourselves, to help them, and to honor them, it’s asking us to do something that’s really difficult because it goes against our natural feelings. This is pride[x], and it’s something that can destroy relationships and create divisions between people.
The command to “love your neighbor as yourself” is needed to let go of this self-centered mindset. To show love, you have to stop thinking about yourself all the time and instead think about others. Scripture teaches that everything we have from God is meant to be shared. Our gifts aren’t just for our personal gain—they’re given to us so that we can help others and build up the community. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compares us to the different parts of a body, each with its own function. The gifts we have should be used for the benefit of others, just as each part of the body works for the good of the whole.
Sometimes we get tired of helping others, especially when it feels like they don’t deserve it or when they’ve wronged us. But the Bible tells us that we should love everyone, no matter who they are. It’s not about whether they deserve our help—it’s about the fact that they are made in the image of God. That alone means they are worthy of love and kindness. It’s not easy, but we’re called to forgive and show kindness. We’re not supposed to focus on the bad things people have done, but instead, remember that they, too, carry God’s image. Jesus himself tells us to love our enemies and to return good for evil.[xi]
In summary, the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” teaches us three key principles:
- Connectedness over Self-centeredness: We’re all part of God’s family, every part of the body deserve honor and care. This principle helps to reinforce the 5th commandment to honor our parents, the 7th commandment about respecting the sanctity of marriages, and the 9th commandment about lying.
- Humility over Pride: Our gifts are actually responsibilities that are meant to help others, not just ourselves. This principle helps us rethink the 8th commandment about stealing, and the 10th commandment about coveting.
- Compassion over Comparison: Just as we need grace and forgiveness for ourselves, we do likewise to those around us. This principle is important for the 6th commandment about killing.
I have covered the applications when I was going through each of the commandments, so allow me to conclude a personal reflection about prohibitions. All these laws about “thou shall not” may remind you of Singapore, we like to jokingly call a “fine” city. I do not want you to leave with this impression that this sermon is about being moralistic or even paternalistic. I shared before about how I often watch videos from tourists and expatriates in Singapore. Singapore may be a “fine” city, but if you watch the videos, the fines never really bother most people because these are normally social behaviors you are supposed to do anyway. Yet because of this, they talk about how this is a place where they feel safe. They marvel at the multiracial and multireligious environment because a temple, a mosque, and a church in harmony next to one another is unheard of in many parts of the world. I guess what I’m trying to say is that these prohibitions may feel restricting at first, but I believe they are part of the process to build a new world. A world where we can feel safe and live in harmony. It is a world where we are all neighbors to one another regardless of race, language, and religion.
In today’s world, especially with social media amplifying voices and opinions, it’s easy to get caught up in self-promotion and pride. But today we learn about humility, we can focus on being uplifting and respectful in our conversations. In a consumer-driven society, it’s easy to fall into the traps of greed, envy, and selfish ambition. But today we learn about connectedness. This could mean reconsidering how we use our time, money, and talents. Are we giving generously to those in need? Do we share our resources, or do we hold back out of fear of losing out? Volunteering, donating, or even just being more open-handed with our resources can be small but impactful ways to live out generosity. Lastly, when we encounter anger or frustration, whether in real life or online, we should practice restraint and forgiveness. Compassion means seeking reconciliation, and aligning with the call to love even those who hurt us. Together, these guiding principles push us to go beyond surface-level obedience to embodying the deeper heart of the commandments: to love God and others wholeheartedly.
