There have been many debates about whether the Ten Commandments of the Bible remain relevant today. Many people believe they are no longer applicable in our modern world. While some parts of the Bible may have been intended for the culture in those times, many things are still meant to be followed, and one of those is the Ten Commandments.

Let’s delve into a few of the commandments and examine their application to college students.

It has become very common in this age to use ‘god’ as a profanity or curse word. This commandment directly tells us that we are not to fall into this habit as Christians. With the number of movies, TV shows and books that use it, many people have fallen into the habit of doing so. Non-Christians don’t have a moral guidance keeping them from using ‘god’ in that way, but we do. God tells us that we are only to use His name in reverence.

Cussing for Christians is a whole other topic, but especially using God’s name in vain is something that needs to stop happening in Christian circles. If you have to use foul language, pick another word. God’s name is meant to be sacred, and the more it is used in that way, the less meaning His name has. 

College life often pulls you in many different directions — friends, social events, work, etc. — living out the first commandment means not letting anything take God’s place in your life as the number one priority. 

To make sure you aren’t putting anything higher than God, continuously ask yourself, Is this decision bringing me closer to God or pulling me away? If the answer is that it is pulling you away, it is likely that you value it too highly and need to establish some boundaries to prevent worshipping it over God.

Many have heard this commandment, whether you grew up in a Christian household or not. But what does it really mean to honor your parents? Honoring them means being respectful in both word and action, acknowledging their position in your life. You may not agree with them, but that does not excuse disrespect. Another thing to point out is that this commandment is the only one that promises a long life for obedience. But how exactly are we supposed to honor them in word and deed? 

Here are some practical ways to implement this commandment:

• Show respect and obedience: You can speak with kindness and listen attentively when they speak.
• Care for them: Offer to help with chores or errands and spend quality time with them.
• Speak well of them: Avoid involving them in gossip and take time to express your gratitude for them.
• Seek their wisdom: You can ask for advice and let them know their input matters.
• Forgive: Be sure to show grace even when it’s hard and let go of past hurts.
• Live a godly life: Make choices that reflect biblical standards and be a source of joy and pride in your life.

Working hard to obey these commandments will bring you closer to God. Choose one of these to work on today and see how it makes a positive impact in your life.