Negative Commands, Positive Results

“Bobby, don’t run into the street!” his parents shouted.  But he did.  One minute later, Bobby was dead.

In the Garden of Eden, God said to Adam, “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:17) Their disobedience then cost them, and all humanity after them, an awesome price.

“ And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God”. – – – “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15)

Many people, through the years, when confronted with the claims of Christ, say they don’t want to be hampered by a list of dos and don’ts.  They want freedom and fun.

Did you know that God gave “so-called” rules – the do’s and don’ts- for our lifelong blessing and joy? – even the negative commands?

Not all of the Old Testament commands and promises apply to New Testament Christians.  Be careful to study the context.  Many Old Testament promises relate explicitly to the nation of Israel.  The New Testament church and the nation of Israel are entirely different in God’s economy.  (1 Corinthians 10:32).   In the commands referenced above in Deuteronomy 28, God promises enormous blessings to Israel if they will obey and awful curses if they choose to disobey.

We are not saved by obedience except for believing the gospel that Jesus died for us, was buried, and rose again from the dead (Romans 10:9, 10, 13).  Salvation is all by grace through faith.  (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Jesus said, “This is the work of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29)

Join me on a journey to examine a few of the negative commands in the Bible.

Jesus listed a few of them in Luke 18:20.  Thou shalt NOT commit adultery, kill, steal, bear false witness, He said this to a rich young man.  He did not mention covetousness, but exposed this sin in that man’s life by telling him to sell what he had and give it to the poor.  The positive benefits of obeying these “Thou shalt nots” should be obvious.

No adultery: preserve love between a couple and save a marriage and family.

No killing: preserve life

No stealing: preserve property

No false witness: eliminate slander, false accusations, and personal conflicts

No covetousness: eliminate the bad results from greed, coveting other people’s property, spouses, etc.

Also, the positive offset of the above five negative commands is to love your neighbor as yourself.

The first three of the Ten Commandments are negative also:  no other gods, no graven images, no taking of the Lord’s name in vain.  The positive version of these commands is to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind.

Let’s look at a few more of the negative commands listed by Paul.

Romans 13:13 “ Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” Often drunkenness causes and is accompanied by rioting, chambering, and wantonness (immorality).  How many abused wives would rejoice if their husbands came home sober every day?

1 Corinthians 5:11 “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat.”   Ungodly friends will drag you down spiritually.  Good friends will help you and uplift you spiritually..

”Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  and what communion hath light with darkness?  And what concord hath Christ with Belial?  or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?  for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.  (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) Christians should not marry non-Christians, nor should Christians join in a business partnership with a non-Christian.  Your beliefs, attitudes, celebrations, and fun will always conflict.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (Philippians 2:14).  Did you ever think how pleasant life would be without complaining, groaning, and fault-finding day after day?

The above negative commands are just a few of the many in the Word of God.  God didn’t give these commands to make you miserable, but rather to protect you, to produce joy, happiness, and contentment in your Christian life.

Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  That is why Paul could write in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”

Christian brothers and sisters:  Don’t be upset about negative commands.  Memorize and obey both the negative and positive commands.  Then experience the joy, peace, and contentment that come when you walk in obedient fellowship with the Lord.