SS Thoughts #13: Too many thou shalt not’s?

Teachers make rules – even in virtual ‘classrooms’! Hopefully the rules help to mold good students, and responsible citizens of a country. But it has been proven that rules are more easily obeyed if they are phrased positively, rather than negatively. For example, instead of saying, “Do not shout!” it is better to say, “Speak softly”. Or instead of saying, “Late online posts will not be accepted” it might be better to say, “Try to be on time with your posts”. Much more encouraging!

In the Bible, God gave 10 rules, nay COMMANDMENTS—written with HIS OWN HAND, (see Exodus 20). Choosing to obey them will help to mold good citizens here on earth and for His kingdom.

An interesting thing about the commandments: 8 of them are written in negative phrasing, e.g. "Thou shalt not steal; Thou shalt not kill; Thou shalt not commit adultery. But TWO of them are phrased POSITIVELY! They are:

§  Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy (#4)

§  Honor thy father and thy mother…………. (#5)

Perhaps God wanted special attention paid to these 2 commandments???? What do you think????