Can you be forgiven for breaking a commandment

The Ten Commandments are a set of laws for human life, and breaking these rules for living is considered a sin, or violation. But the Bible lists a number of other sins, including one that God says is unpardonable.

The Ten Commandments 101

The Ten Commandments are a set of 10 laws that God issued to Moses. They are found in the books of Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:4-21. Catholicism considers them as “divine law” because it was revealed by God himself. According to the “for dummies series,” They are considered Commandments from God for the purpose of our own protection. Obey them in eternal happiness is yours.

1. “I am the Lord thy God, You shall not have any strange gods before Me. You shall not make unto thee any graven image.”

2. “You shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.”

3. “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.”

4. “Honor thy father and mother.”

5. “You shall not murder.”

6. “You shall not commit adultery.”

7. “You shall not steal.”

8. “You shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

9. “You shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife.”

10. “You shall not covet thy neighbor’s goods.”

Jesus’ Emphasis of the Ten Commandments

Jesus quoted the Ten Commandments and elucidated deeper meaning. For the sixth commandment on adultery, Jesus said:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart”

– Matthew 5:27-28.

What’s the Greatest Commandment?

Jesus was asked by the Pharisees which of the ten Commandments was the greatest? “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

– Matthew 22:36-40

When you consider Jesus meaning here, it becomes clear that if one follows these two commandments, on the other eight are obeyed as a result.

Which Violation of the Ten Commandments Is the Worst Sin?

The late Reverend Billy Graham said the worst violation of the ten Commandments is not following the first – loving God. Graham writes: “The Bible tells us that the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord “with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Violating this command is what constitutes the worse sin.”

To love God means to put Him first, above all else. Even above your spouse, children, family or country.

Degrees of Sin and Forgiveness Through Christ

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

– Galatians 5:19-21

The Bible tells us that everyone sins. It is the nature of humans after falling from grace following Adam and Eve’s original sin.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

–Romans 3:23

“All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.”

–1 John 5:17

This indicates two things. First, it indicates there are degrees of sin. Second, it acknowledges the mandatory penalty for sin is death. At the same time, it reminds us that sin can be forgiven, through God’s grace. Why? Because Christ’s death on the cross took the penalty on our behalf. Therefore, when one accepts Christ as their Savior, one can escape the death penalty.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

– Romans 6: 23

Which Sin Is Unpardonable? Only One.

Jesus said that any sin and blasphemy can be forgiven by God. However, he said there is only one type of sin that will not be forgiven.

“And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

– Matthew 12:31-32

sunlionsroar

If you break one of the Commandments, can you be forgiven, if so how?

Can you be forgiven for breaking a commandment

10Answers

  • 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."Did we forget the concept of "grace?" The entire reason Christ was sacrificed on the cross is so we didn't have to suffer eternally for our sins. Human beings are sinful by nature. None of us... even Billy Graham... goes 24 hours without breaking a commandment or committing a sin. So if this is true, we're all doomed to hell, right? Wrong! This is why the blood of Christ was shed... so that we did not have to be punished for our sinful, human nature.Forgiveness is as easy as hitting your knees and asking God for it. Once God forgives your sins... they have been removed. No more guilt, no more beating yourself up over it. You're clean. And He knows you'll probably sin again. It's okay, He's always there to forgive you again.

  • I'm thinking that it really depends which commandment you have broken. The first stage of the forgiveness process is always a recognition of your sin and a genuine remorse. Next will be seeking forgiveness. Some commandments are personal in nature and would require forgiveness only from the Lord which can be found through prayer. Other commandments might involve other people who you would also need to ask forgiveness of (getting their forgiveness isn't necessary but asking for it is) in addition to seeking forgivness from the Lord. Theft would require some form of restitution in addition to the above. Murder, I believe, is still an unforgivable sin as you can't ask the offended person's forgiveness or make adequate restitution.

  • Sir Offenzalot

    15 years ago

    Romans 3:21-24But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.Jesus paid the ultimate price for us and you will be forgiven. Just ask for forgiveness and you will receive it in His glorious name. Then try to not break the commandment again.

  • Favourite Answer

    We all break the commandments. Yes you can be forgiven, but you must be truly sorry and strive not to sin again. Even if you fail...you can be forgiven again. It's a process that we need to repeat as we grow closer to God. Sins that may plauge you will eventually become mere memories as you practice true contrition and a true desire not to offend God.

  • we all break the commandments, all the time - who has not coveted something that belongs to another? etc.. to be forgiven you must repent - which isn't just asking for forgiveness, it means to change your ways. God forgives all those how sincerely pray for it. He loves you and knows you are not perfect. But that doesn't mean you can do what you want - we need to keep trying to be our best.

  • By turning to Jesus and asking Him to be your Lord and Savior.Hebrews 10:11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.Romans 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."

  • There are basically two kinds of forgiveness. Forgiveness by God and forgiveness by those people we have hurt. As far as forgiveness by God is concerned we obtained it by the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. God has forgiven all our sins, past, present and future, because Jesus died and paid the full penalty for all our sins. So as far as God is concerned He will not judge and punish believers for their sins as Jesus has already suffered and paid for their sins. Jesus has redeemed all mankind from their sins. Now believers are not so concerned about breaking the Commandments but that when they sin they fall from the abundance of grace and the gift of righreousness to reign in life and over sin (Rom 5:17; 6:14). As believers we know our debt with God as regards to our sins is forever settled but we have to care about not hurting other people. But when we do sin against others we should ask for their forgiveness and when other sin against us we should forgive them as God has forgiven them. We should also repent that is to turn away from our sins and not repeat them.

  • Niesha bonds

    15 years ago

    yes you can be forgiven all you have to do is go before God and tell him your so sorry and God is not the bad person people make him out to be he probably has already forgiven you if you asked him maybe you just haven't forgiven your self trust me no matter what you did God will forgive you

  • biblestudent07

    15 years ago

    I see no one has told you the truth yet, so allow me. Youve broken more than one of the commandments, youve broken them all, as have all of us. See, the ten comandements are like a dozen eggs, they come all together. So think about it, if you go get a dozen eggs and one breaks, youve broken the dozen. Sounds to me like you may think you kept 9 of them and only broke one of them, but you need to realize youve broken every single one of them by breaking even one. And thats why the law was given , to show us that we cannot and could not live up to Gods holy standards and show us the need for a Savior. You cant keep the law , youve already broken it, you need a savior and His name is Jesus. Call on Him, ask Him for forgiveness and ask Him to come into your heart and help you live for God.

  • Yes. you can be forgiven any sin if you are truly repenting. God can see your heart, and He knows if you are sorry and if you intend not to do it again. It is my belief that even if you murder someone you can be forgiven. But I don't think you will be if you know you're going to repent before you do the deed. God sees all and knows what is in your mind and heart.

Can you be forgiven for breaking a commandment

What does the Bible say about breaking a commandment?

In the King James Version of the Bible, the text reads: Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least. commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be. called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but.

Can God forgive the unforgivable?

In Christian hamartiology, eternal sins, unforgivable sins, unpardonable sins, or ultimate sins are sins which will not be forgiven by God.

Is there a commandment about forgiveness?

“Wherefore I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another, for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses, standeth condemned before the Lord, for there remaineth in him the greater sin.”

How many times God can forgive?

Matthew 18: 21-22 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.