God's Ten Come-and-Mend List

God's Ten Commandments, the first recovery awareness skills.

The twentieth chapter of the book of Exodus tells us the story of the ten commandments. After God delivers His people from the cruel bondage of slavery in Egypt, He writes His laws on stone tablets and gives them to Moses, who presents them to the people.

After so many years of abuse and the harsh treatment from the Egyptians, God knew that even after He would set His people free, they would need written, memorized and practice instructions to learn how to live free. Although, they witnessed great miracles firsthand and God's awesome power was quite evident, they would become triggered and revert back to bondage mentality. Whenever they became hungry, thirsty or frightened, some Israelites would panic, complain and even wish to be slaves again. Today, we would say they suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They were unable to walk out and enjoy their new freedom without some clear, specific instructions. They needed to come to the God who freed them and obey Him so their heart, soul, mind and bodies could recover. So, God gave them His come-and-mend list. God still wants to heal people. We all have a story of suffering. Evil has shown up in every one of our lives and God is still the answer to our restoration.

The first four commandments bring our heart soul, mind and body into alignment. These became the foundation needed to carry out the rest of them. Commandment number five is the first relationship commandment and the next five address our emotions and behavior towards each other. Loving God, ourselves and each other is the highest form of wellness. Becoming aware of our thoughts and behavior after trauma is the first step to mending.

The first four commandments align heart, soul, mind & body.

1. "Have no other Gods before me" (Ex 20:3). Tells us to be in awareness of the devotion of our hearts to the one true God, alone. Only He frees us from physical, mental and emotional bondage.

2. "Make no idols of any kind" (Ex 20:4). Here, the soul is addressed by telling us to be aware of what we attach ourselves to. God is a jealous God, the only rightful One; worthy of our complete allegiance. Without a submitted, humble heart towards God, we will not love others in a holy, healthy way.

3. "Don't take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (Ex 20:7). Matthew 12:34 teaches that the motive to speak originates in our heart. Actual speech, however; begins in the brain. Here, God is bringing alignment between our heart and mind by commanding us to think carefully about His name and the weight it carries, each time we speak it. He wants us to associate His name with His power, sovereignty and love.

4. "Remember the sabbath day by keeping it holy" (Ex 20:8). This commandment comes with the instruction for physical and spiritual rest. God, Himself rested on the seventh day and requires us to do the same. The Egyptians were brutal taskmasters and here, God separates Himself as a God who values our work and health. He wants us to be aware of the physical limitations of our bodies and to honor Him by refraining from work every seventh day and enjoying His goodness.

5. "Honor your father and mother" (Ex 20:12). This commandment comes with a promise of a long life. It's the first "relationship" commandment. The word "honor" here means heavy or weighty. It does not say to honor our good or worthy parents. It's saying to be aware of the weight and significance of the first people we are connected to in life. Most likely, our first wounds will come from our parents. God is setting the tone for how we are to love and forgive others by honoring our parents, first.

6. "You shall not murder" (Ex 20:13). In Matthew 5:22, Jesus addresses this commandment, saying if anyone holds or expresses fixed anger on someone else, they are guilty of murder. God wants us to be aware of behavior stemming from anger and rage.

7. "You shall not commit adultery" (Ex 20:14). God takes covenants seriously. He wants married people to stay aware of their promise to be faithful to their spouse, physically and emotionally.

8. "You shall not steal" (Ex 20:15). God wants us to love others by respecting them and what belongs to them. Impatience and lack of consideration drive us to take what is not ours. God wants us to trust Him for our needs and desires.

9. "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Ex 20:16). Ephesians 4:25 tells us to deal truthfully with each other. God wants us to show we love Him by loving each other. We are to be aware of any dishonest words and actions towards others.

10. "You shall not covet" (Ex 20:17). The tenth commandment instructs us to be aware of our out-of-control desires towards people and possessions. Lack of gratitude and the strong pull of our flesh; inspire lust. We aren't to supposed to want anyone or anything more than God.

May the Holy Spirit bring you awareness of the God who loves to set people free and may you be delivered from all bondage, in Jesus' Name.

Veronica Jimenez, Sound Mind Awareness ©2014. All rights reserved.