The Ten Commandments

by Emmet Fox

The master key to life--a universal guide to all that matters in making life more satisfying.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1953

About the author

Emmet Fox was a New Thought spiritual leader of the early 20th century, famous for his large Divine Science church services held in New York City during the Depression.

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, my Official Rating. In my view, given what the author aimed for, to what degree was that accomplished? Emmet Fox earned his five stars, and then some.

Now, I'll follow up with a review that shares a second kind of rating, my Personal Rating. Here's where I'll give a second number of stars according to my current opinion... and my personal values. Again, Emmet Fox earns five stars. I thought so back in 1978 (approximately) when I read that book; I still think so to this day.

In fact, in 2022, I even have a term for what I find so striking -- and enduring -- about Fox's spiritual classic: The HIGH Truth Value.

Yes, HIGH Truth Value

Truth comes in different shades, as you Goodreaders know.

At least that's true if you're into spiritual growth rather than a kind of spiritual-know-it-all-ism (however beautiful). In which case you believe in a black-and-white truth, which demands faith and surrender.

For what it's worth, that black-and-white adherence to The Ten Commandments, and other biblical teachings, is very Age of Faith. Namely, how religion (and many other aspects of inner life) worked through times immemorial... all the way through until the Shift into the Age of Awakening, on December 21, 2022.

Emmet Fox Writes Golden Chapters... in Support of His Bold Central Premise

Thou SHALT not becomes thou CANST not.

And thus, chapter by chapter and commandment by commandment, Emmet Fox does something worthy of the times in which we live now, the Age of Awakening. He illuminates the inner significance of those profoundly useful Ten Commandments.

Brave Moses, shouldering the burden of those heavy stone tablets! During the Age of Faith, that's the best that good people could do, whether for following their public religion or honoring their personal calling to find a lively connection to God.

In the Age of Awakening, we know that connection to God need not be literal, nor symbolized by teachings miraculously carved into stone, nor heavy warnings about crime-and-punishment.

Likewise, our pursuit of spiritual truth -- or even Spiritual Enlightenment -- need no longer be a heavy burden, enforced by authorities, demanding incessant vigilance and abiding loyalty.

That Age of Faith way of following a spiritual path has great beauty. But, if we're willing, many Age of Awakening paths have opened up before us. Writing during the last 100 years before the Shift, Emmet Fox was ahead of his time.

The God of Emmet Fox's understanding probably had a lot in common with mine.

[Matthew Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one by Emmet Fox.

This book deals solely with the 10 Commandments. Emmet gives his viewpoint of the written verbal meaning as well as the deeper underlying spiritual meaning of the commandment. Both meanings are good and applicable but to grow one must think beyond the mere written law and the deeper meaning of the laws.

[Jon Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ten Commandments
By, Emit Fox


In this book Fox, explores the inner - deeper meaning of the Commandments.
He talks about how the Ten Commandments are true and valid at their face value. However he goes on to say: "So within these Commandments he (Moses) concealed the laws of psychology for those who were ready for them. And within that again, he concealed the deepest and highest spiritual teaching for those who were ready for that. In other words, Moses designed these laws of life so that the higher we go spiritually, or the deeper we go intellectually, the more we can get out of them."

The book is like a road map to a higher spiritual life. He explained how the human mind usually thinks and reacts and then he clearly states what he believes the commandment's true spiritual meaning to be and how that relates to each if us in today's environment. Then he shears his thoughts about how one should pray and think about a situation in order to change your inner thoughts and beliefs to a more spiritual plain.

Fox also, actually brings what he believes to be, these laws of psychology, and higher spiritual meaning to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the bible itself. Throughout the book Fox is beseeching us to look deeper into ourselves by applying these principals to our everyday thinking and living. He believes we should rise above our current physical and mental plane. He is talking about what you really believe. What is truly in your heart? How do you actually act and treat others?

As Fox says in chapter 11: "The whole teaching of Jesus is that "the outer is but a result of the inner. As you believe, so do you express." He goes on to say, "We can measure our progress in spiritual things, not by outer conditions, but by the extent to which we are getting rid of hatred, criticism and condemnation. The yardstick by which we can measure spiritual progress is to the degree to which our hearts are filled with unselfish and undemanding love.”

This is a tall order - simple - but unbelievably demanding. If you look at your continuous line of thoughts, how-much of it is full of anger, hearted, selfishness, condemnation, fear, dislike, distrust, irritation, resentments, etc. Can you change your thinking, what you actually believe in your heart? He maintains you can, through prayer. He believes that you can challenge, and change your unloving, selfish and irritable thoughts so that when the "outer is but a result of the inner, that outer and inner, will be a joyous sense of "unselfish and undemanding love", bringing true peace, joy and self-love into your life.
"As you believe, so do you express."

There are many more thoughts expressed in this book, about what he calls demonstrations and healing. Some of these thoughts seem pretty far out. There is undoubtedly, some truth to them; however, they seemed beyond my grasps. Certainly they are worth further consideration and thought. However, the lessens I was able to internalize will undoubtedly change my life if I have the power and courage to bring them into my everyday living. All told it, The Ten Commandments was a thought provoking and inspirational endeavor and well worth reading.

[Jim George · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the books written by Emmet Fox, his take on Christiaity is easy to understand, his outlook is refreshingly simplistic. There are so many great ideas expounded on for your conscious mind and your inner spirit to ponder. I think he has the ability to challenge your faith at the rudimentary and intellectuall levels. Some of his ideas get abit out there, you have to weed-out some stuff, and read him with a grain of salt. He reminds me abit of another Emmet, Dr. Emmet Brown! Mr. Fox' beliefs are metaphysical and kind of Back to the Future!

[Belizean Babygirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book is profound and will definitely cause you to really put your life and beliefs into perspective. The way the 10 commandments are discussed an the underlying theme of putting God first has definitely caused a shift in my consciousness.

[curtis farrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!!!

A great practical guide with new age terminology for those seeking a real relationship with God by demonstrating the wisdom of the enlightened Moses in The Ten Commandments.

[Ayodele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, like everything else Fox writes is perfect and timely. And, as with everything else he writes, he stresses that God is the first and the GREATEST and that we must pray and meditate to change our consciousness. In so doing, nothing is impossible to resolve. Thank you.

[Syltoya Sterling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely wasn't taught this meaning of the commandments on Sundays. Interesting read. Straight forward with modern language, yet I had to re-read several parts-I saw myself analyzing things I thought I knew. I'm looking forward to reading more by Emmet Fox.

[Lauree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emmet Fox speaks in a way that allows Christianity to make sense to me. He takes it to a place of spirituality rather than just earth-bound religion.

[Dara Paprock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab Book. Read in 2007 and felt it gave me deeper understanding to Mid East Crisises.

[John Stahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep understanding of the commandments and their meaning

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very good and a really different way of looking at the 10 Commandments. Fox is also well know for his Sermon on the Mount. Both are well worth reading.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will have you reading the Bible in an entirely different way.

[Genevieve Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real Godly Life Explained

I love the simplistic Explanation Fox gives. He enlightened me to understand that evtl is not real in the sense that the only Truth and reality is the Presence of God. You truly are what you think.

[MD · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a strange book. It was like Eckhart Tolle does acid and writes about the Ten Commandments. It cleared up the Sabbath and taking the Lord's name in vain but the rest of it was just so out there, I couldn't figure out what Fox was talking about.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

great suggestions for way of life using the christian perspective of Fox's interpretation of the 10 commandments. Interesting... helpful.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely awesome

once again, emmet fox understands the Bible and God's intent for us all