By Esther Claudette Gittens

The Ten Commandments are among the most well-known and foundational laws in the King James Bible (KJV). Given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17), these commandments serve as moral absolutes for humanity. But why do we need them? Simply put, humans are sinners—we are deeply flawed, make mistakes, and often act in ways that harm ourselves and others.

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that mankind is inherently sinful and rebellious (Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”). We are, in many ways, spiritual screw-ups who consistently fall into selfishness, greed, pride, and immorality. The Ten Commandments exist because without divine moral guidance, humans descend into chaos and destruction.

This article will analyze why the King James Bible includes the Ten Commandments, focusing on humanity’s sinfulness, the need for divine law, and how obedience leads to salvation and societal stability.

1. Humanity’s Inherent Sinfulness: We Are Broken
2. The Bible’s Verdict: We Are All Sinners

The Bible does not sugarcoat the truth about human nature. Since the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, sin has infected every person born into this world. The Apostle Paul describes the universal corruption of mankind:

• Romans 3:10-12 – “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

This means that without divine intervention, humans are hopelessly sinful. Our nature is to lie, cheat, steal, lust, covet, and harm others—all actions directly addressed by the Ten Commandments.

1. Human Nature Without God’s Law Leads to Chaos

The Old Testament repeatedly demonstrates what happens when people ignore God’s laws. Take the time of Noah:

• Genesis 6:5 – “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

This total corruption led to the flood, wiping out humanity except for Noah’s family. When humans are left to their own devices, sin spirals out of control, leading to societal collapse.

2. The Ten Commandments as a Moral Compass

Since humans cannot be trusted to govern themselves morally, God provided laws that would protect us from our worst instincts. The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20, serve as the foundation of morality.

1. The Commandments Provide Absolute Moral Standards

Unlike human laws, which change over time, the Ten Commandments are unchanging. They cover both spiritual and social conduct, ensuring justice and righteousness.

• The First Four Commandments focus on our relationship with God:
  1. No other gods before Him.
  2. No graven images.
  3. Do not take God’s name in vain.
  4. Remember the Sabbath.
• The Last Six Commandments focus on our relationship with others:
  5. Honor your parents.
  6. Do not murder.
  7. Do not commit adultery.
  8. Do not steal.
  9. Do not lie.
  10. Do not covet.

1. The Commandments Protect Us from Ourselves

Think about it—what happens when people ignore these laws?

• Society collapses when murder, theft, and lying become normal.
• Families are destroyed when adultery and dishonor take over.
• Nations fall into ruin when people worship false gods and reject truth.

The Ten Commandments were given not to restrict us, but to free us—to guide us away from self-destruction.

3. The Commandments Lead to Salvation and the Safety of Others
4. Obedience Leads to Blessing

The Bible makes it very clear that those who obey God’s laws will be blessed, while those who rebel will suffer consequences.

• Deuteronomy 28:1-2 – “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.”

A righteous society flourishes, but a sinful one crumbles.

1. Disobedience Brings Judgment

Just as obedience brings blessings, disobedience brings judgment. The Bible repeatedly warns about the consequences of rejecting God’s laws:

• Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
• Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Ignoring God’s laws leads to suffering, destruction, and eternal separation from God.

4. The Commandments and Jesus Christ: The Fulfillment of the Law
5. The Law Shows Our Need for a Savior

Since humans are inherently sinful, we cannot perfectly obey the Ten Commandments. That’s why Jesus Christ came—to fulfill the law and offer salvation.

• Matthew 5:17 – “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”

Jesus showed that the commandments reveal our sinfulness and point us to the need for grace and redemption through Him.

1. Salvation Through Faith in Christ

The law alone cannot save us—it condemns us because we all fail to keep it perfectly. But Christ offers forgiveness and eternal life to those who believe in Him.

• Galatians 3:24 – “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

By accepting Jesus, we receive grace and the ability to walk in righteousness.

Conclusion: Why We Must Follow the Ten Commandments

The King James Bible includes the Ten Commandments because humans are naturally sinful—we are, in many ways, spiritual screw-ups who need divine guidance. Without these laws:

Society collapses into immorality and chaos.
 Families fall apart due to sin and selfishness.
 People remain lost in their own rebellion against God.

The Ten Commandments serve as a moral compass, showing us:

What is right and wrong.
How to treat others with justice and respect.
How to recognize our need for Jesus Christ.

We are not perfect, but through obedience to God’s commandments and faith in Christ, we can find salvation and peace.

As Jesus Himself said in John 14:15 – “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

So let’s stop making excuses, recognize that we are all sinners, and follow God’s laws for the sake of our souls and the world around us.

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