"I will study your commandmentsI have found myself recalling this verse, written by an unknown psalmist. I knew that meditating on God's precepts, filling my mind with God's biblical truths are the best way to avoid weaknesses of the mind, but something I didn't know is WHAT exactly are God's precepts? After some brief searching I concluded that they are the Ten Commandments, though I found that to be an unsatisfying conclusion. As I reflected more, I figured it does make sense since the psalmist was Jewish and Christ had not yet fulfilled the law while hanging on the cross. Still, whenever I saw the words "Ten Commandments", I imagined it was akin to what a secularist thinks when they hear the words "Jesus Christ". Basically, it gave me the heebie-jeebies.
and reflect on your ways." Psalm 119.15
Something that really helped in my research was this link which defines the difference between a principle and a precept. This minister asserts that a principle is a grey zone "I will be a good person", whereas a precept is black and white, "I will not steal". There is less room for losing our balance when we look to precepts and stay focused. This I have found helpful when resisting the devil. I don't wishfully hope to not sin, I definitively declare, I will NOT do (insert sin).
As with the prayer for psychic attack, it is crucial to be concise, because it is during those porous, open-ended thoughts where contamination can infect our thinking to the point we are flat on the pavement. It makes it easier to keep it short and elementary. And when it is easier, we are less likely to fear it and will give it a chance. I know from personal experience when the methodology is simple, it is not deprivatory to choose character-building over falling short of the glory of God (which usually feels like the right choice, until we invariably get hurt).
I saw this poster the other week, and my immediate reaction was repulsion. I thought it was dogmatic, self-righteous, and elitist. But though it disturbed me, it nevertheless impacted me.
When asked what the law was, Jesus replied, "That you (1) love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind, and (2) love your neighbour as yourself." (Matthew 22:36-40). So the above chart appears to take us back to the legalistic world-view that the Pharisees followed, the rules that they tried to trap Jesus with when asking that question. And yet, Jesus said that he came not to destroy the law, but to complete it (Matthew 5:17). Is it not possible then that there is some validity to this chart?
Let's break it down, as effortlessly as possible. The first four laws that are tied to the first commandment of Jesus are really to guard against idolatry. Paul Washer, who is a popular preacher in the born-again community but who I do not recommend to anyone said something that stayed with me, "Whatever is occupying your mind, that is your God." Well, this reminds me of the concept of principles and precepts. At what point does it become idolatry. How long am I permitted to dwell on someone or something before it offends God? Well, scripture says not very long. I think the best way to view idolatry is to take the assumption that Protestants, Evangelicals, and Catholics alike can agree upon - that God is our lover. For how long can you put people, places, or things before your partner, until it strains that relationship? Conversely, as Jesus said do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for how long would you want to be ignored?
The remaining six commandments are sectioned under the second commandment of Jesus, "Love your neighbour as yourself". We can see this falls under basic right-living. But yet again, we run into the question of principle and precept. Right-living is to be honest and not hurt people (or ourselves), but again, it's a little grey. The commandments outlined show a precept that makes it a bit more clear, and there is further instruction to help make it easier.
After visually seeing the commandments of Moses broken down under the commandments of Jesus, I recognized that when I am about to fall short of the glory of God, there is no time to search my little bag of breakable tools and that these precepts are not only my best weapon, they're actually my only one - what Jesus made into one. I realized that I was so deeply offended by the chart because it convicts us of sin and does not offer us the comfort of interpretation. It is literally in stone. And yet, what a relief to know what to draw from when resisting those things which will only hurt us in the final analysis.
"I will meditate on the precepts of the Lord". I will not indulge in my emotionalism. I will not make an idol of people, places, or things. I will pray for those who hurt me, I will bless those who forsake me, and I will use the only weapon that God has given me, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and where ALL answers to right-living and healing can be found. Amen.
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