Okay, so The 10 Commandments Explained in Plain English sounds like something I probably would’ve Googled at 2 a.m. after randomly remembering I couldn’t name all ten without panicking.
Like—be honest—can you list them without stalling after “don’t murder” and “don’t steal”? Because I used to get stuck somewhere around number four and just start sweating.
So let’s talk about it. Plain English. No stained-glass vocabulary.
A Quick Backstory (Because Context Matters, But I’ll Keep It Chill)
So the whole Moses and the Ten Commandments moment? That’s in the book of Exodus. God gives Moses these instructions on Mount Sinai. Stone tablets. Thunder. Drama. Honestly feels like a Marvel origin scene.
If you want the cinematic version, go rewatch The Prince of Egypt. That soundtrack still hits. (Highly recommend. Emotional damage guaranteed.)
But here’s the thing — these commandments weren’t random rules to ruin people’s fun. They were more like… boundaries. Guardrails. The kind you don’t appreciate until you almost drive off a cliff.
And yeah, sometimes I wish life came with clearer guardrails.
1. Don’t Put Other “Gods” Before God
Plain English?
Don’t let anything take the top spot in your heart.
Money. Status. Relationships. That one group chat that owns your emotional stability.
I used to say, “Oh I don’t worship anything.” Meanwhile I was refreshing my bank app like it was my oxygen supply. So… yeah.
This one’s about priorities. What runs you? What defines you? If losing it would wreck your entire identity — that might be your real “god.”
Ouch. I know.
2. Don’t Make Idols
And this isn’t just about carving statues.
It’s about obsession.
Ever built someone up so much in your head that when they disappointed you, it felt catastrophic? I have. It’s exhausting.
This commandment basically says: stop turning temporary things into ultimate things.
Your job is not your savior.
Your partner is not your savior.
Amazon Prime is definitely not your savior.
(Though two-day shipping feels miraculous sometimes.)
3. Don’t Misuse God’s Name
This one’s deeper than just avoiding certain phrases when you stub your toe.
It’s about representing God honestly.
Like when someone says, “Well, God told me to…” and it’s clearly just their own agenda. Yikes.
It’s about integrity. Don’t attach God’s name to things that don’t reflect Him.
Also, maybe don’t yell it in traffic. Speaking from experience.
4. Remember the Sabbath (AKA Please Rest)
Oh man. This one hits.
Take a day. Stop working. Reset.
In America, that feels almost illegal. We treat burnout like a badge of honor.
I once bragged about working through a fever. Why? No clue. I was delirious.
This commandment is basically: You are not a machine.
Rest isn’t laziness. It’s obedience. Which feels wild to say.
5. Honor Your Father and Mother
Okay, let’s be honest. This one can get complicated.
Not everyone had the Hallmark upbringing.
But at its core? It’s about respect. Gratitude. Recognizing the role people played in raising you — even imperfectly.
I’ve definitely rolled my eyes at my parents’ advice… only to realize 10 years later they were right.
(They don’t need to know that.)
6. Don’t Murder
Seems obvious.
But Jesus later takes it further — saying anger and hatred matter too. That’s uncomfortable.
Have I ever fantasized about quitting a job dramatically and burning bridges? Yes.
Have I actually hurt someone physically? No.
But words? Oof. Words can do damage.
This commandment reminds me: people matter more than my temper.
7. Don’t Commit Adultery
This isn’t just about physical cheating.
It’s about loyalty. Integrity in relationships. Protecting trust.
And honestly, in a world of DMs, secret messaging, and “it’s harmless,” this one feels very modern.
If you wouldn’t show your partner the conversation, that’s probably your sign.
Trust is fragile. Once cracked… it’s never quite the same.
8. Don’t Steal
Again, obvious.
But it’s not just robbing a bank.
It’s taking credit that isn’t yours.
It’s keeping extra change when the cashier made a mistake.
I once walked out of Target realizing I hadn’t paid for a small item. My stomach dropped. I turned around and went back. Not because I’m a saint — because guilt was louder than convenience.
9. Don’t Lie
Whew.
This one feels small until you start paying attention.
White lies. Half-truths. “I’m five minutes away” when you’re still in pajamas.
Honesty builds trust. Lies build anxiety. You ever told a lie and then had to remember the details forever? Exhausting.
Truth is simpler. Even when it’s awkward.
10. Don’t Covet (AKA Stop Comparing)
This one might be the sneakiest.
Don’t obsess over what other people have.
Their house.
Their vacation photos that look suspiciously staged.
Comparison is the thief of joy. (Yeah, that quote gets tossed around a lot, but it’s true.)
Coveting turns gratitude into resentment real quick.
And social media? It’s basically coveting fuel.
If you’ve ever closed Instagram feeling worse about your life… you get it.
So What’s the Big Deal?
Why do these ancient rules still matter?
Because they’re not random restrictions. They’re relationship protectors.
The first few focus on your relationship with God.
The rest focus on your relationship with people.
It’s like a blueprint for Christian living basics — not to trap you, but to free you.
I know that sounds backward.
Rules feel restrictive. But chaos? That’s worse.
Imagine a world where nobody followed “don’t steal” or “don’t lie.” Absolute disaster. Twitter would implode even more than usual.
The Ten Commandments meaning isn’t “be perfect or else.” It’s more like, “Here’s how life works best.”
Real Talk — I Don’t Follow Them Perfectly
I mess up.
I get cranky.
The difference now? I notice it faster.
The commandments aren’t there to crush you. They’re like a mirror. Sometimes you look and go, “Oh. Yikes.” But at least you know.
And honestly? That awareness has made me softer. More patient. Slightly less chaotic.
Slightly.
If you’re curious about diving deeper, I’d recommend checking out BibleProject’s breakdown on the commandments — they explain big themes in ways that don’t make your brain hurt. Also, The Prince of Egypt. Again. Because art matters and that soundtrack is elite.
Final-ish Thoughts (Not a Conclusion, Relax)
If you’ve ever thought the Ten Commandments were just old religious rules collecting dust — I get it. I used to skim past them.
But when you slow down and see them as guardrails for love, honesty, rest, loyalty, gratitude… they hit differently.
They’re not about control.
They’re about alignment.
And on days when my life feels loud and messy and I’m one spilled coffee away from losing it, having something solid to anchor to?
That’s powerful.
Anyway. That’s my couch talk version.
If you made it this far, I owe you coffee.
