“The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.  The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”(Psalms 19:8 KJV)

Precepts are general rules, principles, or commands intended to regulate behavior or thought.  They act as moral, ethical, or practical guidelines to help people determine what is right, safe, or effective in a given situation.  Unlike strict legal codes that carry formal legal penalties, precepts are typically rooted in religion, philosophy, ethics, or professional standards.  

So, when the scripture says, “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.” Precepts, bridge the gap between our abstract faith and our daily actions.  Thus, giving us joy to the heart.  For the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Here are some precepts: You shall not steal, you don’t steal.  Honor your father and mother, you are respectful, loving and kind always.  You shall not murder, do not kill.  You shall not commit adultery, stay true to the covenant of marriage.  You shall not give false testimony, do not lie.  You shall not be envious of others, be thankful for what you have and who you are. You shall not be prideful, thinking you are better than others and acting rude and arrogant.  You shall not be greedy, an intense and selfish desire for wealth, possessions, or power.  You shall not be angry, feelings of hatred, rage, and a desire for vengeance that you choose to act upon.  You shall not be gluttonous, an overindulgence or overconsumption of anything.  You shall not be lazy--sloth, whether it is mental, physical or spiritual.  You shall not gossip, talking bad about others to build yourself up.  You shall love your God, with all your heart, mind soul and spirit.  You shall love your neighbor, as yourself.

These things are precepts and guidelines for us to follow and when we do follow God’s precepts, His guidelines we tend to do the right thing instead of going down the wrong path.  We are more willing to do what God has asked us to do and to be. Because “The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes” for we were once blind, but now we see.  God Bless.  Amen.

denise