Are The Ten Commandments Burdensome?

Are the Ten Commandments Burdensome?

"In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome ..."

(1 John 5:3 (NIV)).

As an example to determine if the commandments are burdensome, let's consider one of the more challenging commandments, 'you shall not commit adultery or look at a woman (or man) lustfully' (Matthew 5:27,28; Exodus 20:14). Not looking at a woman or man lustfully is obviously more challenging than to not commit adultery. Therefore, let's consider if 'not looking at a woman or man lustfully' is a burdensome commandment...

This commandment was originally given to people who were living in the area of the middle east. In modern times, women of the middle east are known to wear a Burqa, which is clothing that covers the body from head to toe and even includes a veil over the eyes. As you can imagine, it's virtually impossible to look at a woman who is enveloped within a burqa. Therefore, the commandment to 'not look at a woman lustfully' is not burdensome. Period. In fact, it's a very easy commandment for men to maintain.

For women, trying to function while enveloped within a burqa is probably somewhat physically limiting, uncomfortable, and prevents the wearers from displaying most physical characteristics. Let's consider if it's burdensome for women to wear burqas...

In America, both men and women often try to entice mates into relationships by wearing clothing that accentuates their physical characteristics, despite having to endure long hours of discomfort or pain because of their choices. For example, men often choose to wear uncomfortable suits, athletic cut shirts, and choking ties. Similarly, women often choose to wear expensive, revealing outfits, and uncomfortable shoes. These clothing styles are often physically limiting and uncomfortable, but they achieve the goal of appearing attractive. Apparently, 'burdensome' is not an issue when the goal is to appear attractive.

These choices, made often by both men and women, cause other people to look at them lustfully, which breaks God's commandments...

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10 (NIV)).

“Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven...” (Matthew 5:19 (NIV)).

“Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come”” (Luke 17:1; Mark 9:42; Matthew 18:6,8 (NIV).

“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you” (2 Thessalonians 1:6 (NIV)).

“When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ” (1 Corinthians 8:12 (NIV)).

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up” (Romans 15:1,2 (NIV)).

“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall” (Romans 14:21 (NIV)).

Would choosing clothing styles to please God be burdensome? In America, our clothing choices seem to reflect our desire to attract a mate, and to receive compliments, but not to please God. Should burqas be worn in America? These extreme clothing styles are not likely to be eagerly welcomed throughout the world. What does that say about our true devotion to God?

In America, the fact is that we have fashioned almost every facet of our society to promote attractiveness, or lust. For example, during your favorite television shows, how few minutes pass before there is a scene involving sensuality, or talk about something that is enticing? How about the television commercials? How about the internet? Most public places, including workplaces, are full of women who wear dresses or skirts that are so short that most women have to cross their legs while sitting to prevent exposing their private parts in public. Most men are no different. Most men would wear lipstick and miniskirts themselves, if those were needed to attract women.

The point is that the commandments, themselves, are not burdensome. Many Americans choose to develop our environment and society into a place that is burdensome for the very few true Christians who want to 'keep', and live according to, the commandments.

Please read, “Are The Ten Commandments dead?”

Commentary

It is possible to believe in The Messiah without accepting Him as your Savior and Lord of your heart, soul, and mind. It's also possible to believe in The Messiah without receiving The Holy Spirit. The devil is a prime example of one who believes in The Messiah, but hasn't been baptized in The name of The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit (James 2:19). All the devil worshippers, who are 'human beings', also believe in God, but haven't been baptized in The name of The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Other believers (in Judaism, the Pharisees, and even many unsaved 'Christians') who have failed to develop personal and loving relationships with The Messiah, haven't been baptized in The Holy Spirit, so The Messiah said He doesn't 'know' those believers. Sadly, there are many Mormon, Catholic, and also many 'Christian' believers, whom think they are 'saved' but are not going to 'find' the 'narrow way' to the 'small gate' of Heaven (Matthew 7:14). Those believers will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 7:21-23).

A 'saved' Christian's body becomes a temple for the Holy Spirit, who is a living gift given to you by God (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Holy Spirit urges Christians to fellowship with other Christians, and urges them to study The Bible, which is the word of God. Equally important, The Holy Spirit urges Christians to maintain a personal, loving relationship with The Father and The Son. A 'saved' Christian should be reminded, and feel urged, to pray at least five times a day: after waking from sleep, before each meal, and before going to sleep (Luke 22:17-21; Colossians 3:17). These things are not burdensome in any way for a Christian who is filled with The Holy Spirit, despite all the socio-economic demands of the world on our daily lives. Are you all talk and no action, which is also referred to as, having faith but no works (James 2:14-26)?

The daily prayer is quite short, and yet, it includes forgiving other people for their sins (also known as debts or trespasses), so forgiveness is obviously very important to God. If our Father is to forgive the sins of His children, those Christians must forgive the people who have sinned against them (Colossians 3:13). If believers fail to forgive other people for their sins, especially if the sins are so minor as not to be referenced in The 10 Commandments, the salvation of those believers is questionable. The Messiah shed His blood and sacrificed His life on the cross to forgive our sins. What have you done to forgive?

Do you love God with all your heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:36-40)? One way to know for sure is to analyze whether or not you keep His commandments, which are not burdensome (1 John 5:2,3). If you truly love and follow The Messiah, you will keep His commandments without even having to think about keeping them because love fulfills the law (Romans 13:8-10). As you love The Messiah, so you should also love your neighbors as you love yourself. You must love because it's The Messiah's first commandment and because God is love (1 John 4:8). It's easy to love those who love you, but have you learned how to love your enemies yet (Matthew 5:44-47)? Your enemies are waiting to become Christians and your greatest allies.

Have you heard of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)? How are you doing with it? Would you say you are hot, cold, or lukewarm (Revelation 3:15,16). Would you say you're a temple for The Holy Spirit? Do you think The Messiah really knows you? God loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you, and He wants you to be born again and join Him in Heaven for eternity. Getting saved by God's grace is a miracle, so please honor and respect His grace by learning and living His scriptures. If God wanted you to merely sit back and revel in your salvation through God's grace, there would be little need for a majority of the scriptures in The Holy Bible.

I'll join you in prayer for us all.

Please read, The Messiah said, "I do not know you".

This webpage answers the questions: Are The Ten Commandments Burdensome? Is abstinence or celibacy burdensome? Is lust or the burn of passion burdensome? Is not look at a woman lustfully a burdensome commandment?

List of the most important questions with answers and information about YaH (God), Yehoshua (Jesus 'The Christ'), The Holy Spirit and The Holy Bible.

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