Don't be seduced by popular culture
It prevents you from thinking for yourself
Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the ways of understanding (Prov 9:6)
Do not model your behaviour on the contemporary world, but let the renewing of your minds transform you (Romans 12:2)
Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking
Commandment 2
Don't fall in love with money and possessions
It will make you greedy and shallow
For a man's real life in no way depends upon the number of his possessions (Luke 12:15)
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied wit his income. (Ecc 5:10)
For what good is it for a man to gain the whole world at the price of his own soul? (Matt 16:26)
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven (Matt 6:19)
We think we need more than we really do
Commandment 3
Don't use destructive language. It hurts others as well as yourself.
He who guards his lips guards his life but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
Words can not only create emotions, they create actions and from our actions flow the results of our lives.
The tongue has the power of life and death.
Reckless words pierce like a sword but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Speech is the mirror of the soul.
He who holds his tongue is wise.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Commandment 4
Don’t judge other people. It’s better to work on your own faults
Our success in life will be determined by how we choose to handle our pride, to what degree we conquer it.
What we don’t like about other people is usually what we don’t like about ourselves.
If we only see faults, we can’t see the good.
It isn’t the act of judging that’s wrong but the attitude with which it’s done.
It is not for us to say who is or is not close to the spirit of Christ. We do not see into men’s hearts. We cannot judge and we are forbidden to judge. It would be wicked arrogance for us to say that any man is or is not a Chrisitan.
God does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
If you judge people you have no time to love them.
Commandment 5
Don't let anger get out of control. It can wreck relationships and ruin lives.
Anyone can be angry. That is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not easy.
The Scriptures don't tell us to eliminate anger; they tell us to control it.
Being patient, kind and gentle so that we can avoid the consequences of uncontrolled anger.
There's nothing wrong with anger provided you use it constructively.
Once you fully understand that your anger is both self-centred and self-destructive behaviour, you'll want to do whatever's necessary to get it under control.
Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life.
Commandment 6
Keep a positive outlook on life. It's the first step toward Joy.
A good attitude is the starting place for both being good and doing good.
Joy comes from within, not from circumstances. It's a feeling of deep satisfaction with life. It's also an outlook on life that's closely related to thankfulness. Joyful people look at what's right with the world and with people instead of what's wrong. They have a special appreciation for all the good they see around them.
It's not how much we have, but how much we enjoy.
There's more to be thankful about than to complain about. Accept life as it is and make the most of it in all circumstances insterad of grumbling about the way things ought to be.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Pain is inevitable. Misery is optional.
We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string that we have, our attitude. Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. We are in charge of our attitudes.
Commandment 7
Bring out the best in other people. It's better to build up than to tear down.
Abraham Lincoln was able to form friendships with men who had previously him; repair injured feelings that, left untended, might have escalated into permanent hostility; assume responsibility for the failures of subordinates; share credit with ease and learn from mistakes.
Show genuine interest
Listen with your heart
Teach and mentor
Affirm and praise
Encourage and inspire
Be a source of comfort
Celebrate life
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
When a man is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong; when he's cheerful, everything seems right.
Commandment 5
Don't let anger get out of control. It can wreck relationships and ruin lives.
Anyone can be angry. That is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not easy.
The Scriptures don't tell us to eliminate anger; they tell us to control it.
Being patient, kind and gentle so that we can avoid the consequences of uncontrolled anger.
There's nothing wrong with anger provided you use it constructively.
Once you fully understand that your anger is both self-centred and self-destructive behaviour, you'll want to do whatever's necessary to get it under control.
Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life.
Commandment 6
Keep a positive outlook on life. It's the first step toward Joy.
A good attitude is the starting place for both being good and doing good.
Joy comes from within, not from circumstances. It's a feeling of deep satisfaction with life. It's also an outlook on life that's closely related to thankfulness. Joyful people look at what's right with the world and with people instead of what's wrong. They have a special appreciation for all the good they see around them.
It's not how much we have, but how much we enjoy.
There's more to be thankful about than to complain about. Accept life as it is and make the most of it in all circumstances insterad of grumbling about the way things ought to be.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Pain is inevitable. Misery is optional.
We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string that we have, our attitude. Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. We are in charge of our attitudes.
Commandment 7
Bring out the best in other people. It's better to build up than to tear down.
Abraham Lincoln was able to form friendships with men who had previously him; repair injured feelings that, left untended, might have escalated into permanent hostility; assume responsibility for the failures of subordinates; share credit with ease and learn from mistakes.
Show genuine interest
Listen with your heart
Teach and mentor
Affirm and praise
Encourage and inspire
Be a source of comfort
Celebrate life
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
When a man is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong; when he's cheerful, everything seems right.
