With many state legislatures ordering the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms, I thought it would be appropriate to review the Commandments and assess how the behavior of our society and the state lawmakers enacting the legislation would be evaluated.

As you may know, the Bible tells us that Moses received the commandments from God. Moses was leading the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt to freedom in a new land. The principles have served as a benchmark for Jews and were later adopted by Christians.

Here are the Commandments with my observations on whether we obey them.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me. This Commandment declares that I am the supreme God, and you should not worship any other deities.

Society: Do we worship God, or do we worship money?

Politicians: Politicians often invoke their religion when it benefits them in their pursuit of an election.

Scorecard: Society 0; Politicians 0

2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image. Even good things can become idols if we are not careful. Ministry, hobbies, charity work, or family can usurp the rightful place only God should hold in our lives. When we emotionally rely on anything other than our relationship with Him to validate us, we are breaking the second commandment.

Society: We are guilty of breaking this Commandment. Many people do good things to help others, but often with the goal of earning a spot in heaven.

Politicians: These folks are the worst. They crave a form of immortality by having a statue in their honor, naming a military base or ship after themselves, or having their name attached to a law.

Scorecard: Society 0; Politicians 0

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Society: This is a no-brainer! We swear all the time using God’s name.

Politicians: To woo Christian voters, politicians often wrap themselves in a Bible they have not read.

Scorecard: Society 0; Politicians 0

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Society: Yes, we attend synagogue on Saturday and church on Sunday, then stop by Walmart, Home Depot, and/or Lowe’s to make purchases. I don’t think this is what God intended.

Politicians: Only if it doesn’t interfere with a golf game, a fundraising event, or

Scorecard: Society 0; Politicians 0

5. Honor your father and your mother.

Society: Only when we want something like money, a car, or

Politicians: They trade on their parents’ names and accomplishments to further their political goals.

Scorecard: Society 0; Politicians 0

6. You shall not murder.

Society: We recognize murder as a crime. However, people quickly resort to violence. They make excuses for their actions and, when all is lost, they plead for a reduced sentence.

Politicians: Murder has always been the province of rulers. They turn people into soldiers and order them to kill their enemies. The politician can kill masses of people in the guise of national defense or weapons of mass destruction.

Scorecard: Society 0; Politicians 0

7. You shall not commit adultery.

Society: Adultery is a worldwide phenomenon. The bonds of marriage are set aside when passion replaces honor and respect.

Politicians: Of course, they commit adultery. To that sin, they use their power and position to satisfy their lust. They figure that they can wiggle out of any situation. Check out the history of United States presidents.

Scorecard: Society 0; Politicians 0

8. You shall not steal.

Society: We steal all of the time. We cheat on tests (stealing grades), cheat on income taxes (stealing money from the government), and cheat on ideas (stealing ideas from others and taking credit for them).

Politicians: In the United States, our legislators have misused Social Security funds for years. They did this under the hope that people would not live long enough to collect. Legislators, this is stealing from the public.

 Scorecard: Society 0; Politicians 0

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. “Bearing false witness” means intentionally lying about a person, thing, or event, or spreading false rumors. The phrase also relates to the moral law of always telling the truth and reflects God’s glory.

Society: We have become pretty good at lying. We call it making excuses.

Politicians: Presidents, governors, mayors, and legislators have made lying an inherent trait.

Scorecard: Society 0; Politicians 0

10. You shall not covet.

Society: To desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others, or to choose another’s property. Coveting is a global phenomenon. We want a new car like our neighbors. We want a rich husband or a trophy wife. We behave as if we are the only person in the world. Coveting is all we do.

Politicians: They covet power and will lie and cheat to obtain and hold it..

Scorecard: Society 0; Politicians 0

Well, I’m surprised and disappointed in our performance. I wish I had some ideas on how to get us to obey the Ten Commandments. God has to be angry with us. Perhaps he will order nature to harm us. Maybe he is already doing this.