Deuteronomy 5:17-22 • Beneath The Surface

HOOK

Did you know that according to recent FBI data, someone is murdered every 30 minutes in America and roughly 2.5 million burglaries happen each year?

And even with laws clearly stating these actions are wrong, why do people keep breaking them?

Maybe the issue isn’t just about knowing right from wrong—maybe the issue is deeper.

Could it be that the real battle lies not just in our actions but in our hearts? 

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

You know, we are going through the 10 commandments one commandment at a time.

And we started of with the Foundation of the Ten Commandments by looking at Deuteronomy 5:6, where God reminded Israel who He is and what He has done before giving them any commands:

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery."

We established that God's commandments are not just rules but a relational covenant, calling His people to obedience rooted in gratitude rather than duty.

The heart of the commandments is not legalism but a response to His rescue. True obedience flows from understanding His love.

That powerful point led us into…

1. No other Gods before Him

2. No Idols

3. You Shall not take the name of the Lord you God in vain.

4. Observe the Sabbath Day.

2. Current Study’s Overview

That brings us to Verses 16 and commandment #5 as Moses gives His second message

Let’s begin our reading in vs. 6 for context. Read…

The Title of Today’s Message is: Beneath The Surface

Because have you ever noticed how easily we can convince ourselves we're "good people” just because we haven't done something extreme like murder or theft?

But what if I told you God's commandments aren't just about actions—they're about the heart behind them?

Today we're gonna get into the Ten Commandments, exploring not just what they say, but why they say it.

Because the 10 commandments aren't heavy-handed rules; they're loving boundaries set by God to protect our hearts, our relationships, and our communities.

Again, as a reminder, when we look at the 10 commandments, it makes sense to first focus on the commandments that deal with loving God our vertical relationship (Deut 5:6–15) and then those about loving others our horizontal relationship (Deut 5:16–21). That’s the heart of what the Ten Commandments are all about.

1. You Shall Not Murder Vs. 17

The word Murder means to:   slay, kill, assassinate…        to take a life without a reason…           

This command "You shall not murder" deals deeply with the heart.

And Jesus clarifies in Matthew 5:21-22 that murder begins internally…

Matthew 5:21–22 NKJV

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

Murder begins not with the act but with the seed of hatred planted deep within the heart.

It's important to guard our hearts from bitterness and resentment, for these emotions can grow into actions we never imagined ourselves capable of committing.

ILLUSTRATION: I think of gardeners tending gardens.

Anger and resentment are weeds that, if unchecked, grow rapidly, choking out love and life.

and just as a weed left unchecked can overtake a garden, unchecked anger can overtake the heart.

2. You Shall Not Commit Adultery Vs. 18

The word Adultery speaks of any sex outside of marriage…             or           sex with anyone other than your spouse...

And like murder, adultery is a physical act, but it begins as an emotional and spiritual compromise.

Jesus highlights the severity of even hidden lustful thoughts…

Matthew 5:28 NKJV

28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

You see, Purity in marriage isn't simply about external actions—it's about maintaining loyalty and integrity in our thoughts, desires, and intentions.

A healthy marriage thrives not just on external loyalty but internal devotion.

ILLUSTRATION: You know, you never actually see rust consume and eat metal, because it gradually deteriorates it out of sight.

In the same way, lustful thoughts silently corrode trust and intimacy within a marriage.

Guarding our eyes and thoughts protects the sacred covenant of marriage.

ILLUSTRATION: And unfortunately, just yesterday a young man came to the church to speak to a pastor because he had fallen in adultery. It was sad.

3. You Shall Not Steal Vs. 19

I think this is pretty straight forward, don’t take something that doesn’t belong to you…

But I do want to make a distinction between coveting and stealing.

Stealing is distinct from coveting because stealing is taking action on an unlawful desire—physically taking what belongs to another.

Coveting, however, remains in the realm of desire.

In the Old Testament, theft required restitution, sometimes multiplied several times over (Exodus 22:1). In fact in…

Exodus 22:1 NKJV

1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.

The commandment highlights the sacredness of property and respect for personal ownership.

This command not to steal teaches integrity and trustworthiness in our community.

Illustration: Imagine borrowing something valuable from a friend and never returning it. That will leading to a loss of trust and a broken relationship.

Stealing isn't just about possessions; it affects relationships and community trust.

ILLUSTRATION: You know one thing I hate when I go to the store. Any store. Walmart for instance. All the shavers are locked behind glass doors.

Because people steal now they can’t trust me and I now have to press the little red button which I am convinced does not work.

It just looks like a button for a nuclear bomb or something to give off the appearance lol.

4. You Shall Not Bear False Witness Vs. 20

Again, simple, don’t lie…        

John 8:44 NKJV

44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

5. You Shall No Covet Vs. 21

We have to be content with who you are & what you have…  

Philippians 4:11 NKJV

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

6. Overview Summary

You know, unfortunately, The Pharisees took the Ten Commandments and turned them into heavy burdens—legalistic rules used to control, judge, and oppress the people.

But this was never God's intention. God's commands weren't burdensome legal obligations but boundaries set by love.

1 John 5:3 NKJV

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

God, as a loving Father, gave these commands not to restrict joy but to maximize joy.

The heart behind the commandments reveals a God who desires relationship, holiness, and flourishing for His people.

Illustration: Think of the Ten Commandments like guardrails on a winding mountain road.

They are not there to restrict your freedom but to protect your journey, ensuring you reach your destination safely and joyfully.

Romans 13:10 NKJV

10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Talk about how love is the fulfillment of the law.

These 10 commandments were not given to make the people righteous, holy or justified…               

Galatians 3:11 NKJV

11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

So why were they given? If your taking notes there are 3 reasons:

1. To Reveal Sin:     

Romans 3:20 NKJV

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

2. Lead us to Jesus Christ:

Galatians 3:24 NKJV

24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

3. Picture of God:

Romans 7:12–14 NKJV

12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. 13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.

That is what God is.

The law was not given to make us holy…                   but             to show us our need for holiness from God…

ENDING….