You can find many people who live good, clean lives. But, if you were to ask one of them why he refrains from a particular vice or activity, you just might hear him say: "It isn't good for my health," "It could interfere with a goal I've set," "It might end up hurting someone," or even "I simply choose not to so indulge."
It's not that these are not sensible, valid reasons. Yet isn't it more wonderful to express goodness and purity for the primary reason that as we earnestly strive to live our life in accord with the Ten Commandments, we are honoring our Father-Mother God and our fellowman out of deep, childlike love and obedience.
Unenlightened thought may see the Ten Commandments as restrictive—as commands that limit one's freedom and joy. Yet the fact is that it is strict obedience to the Ten Commandments that confers individual freedom and joy. Seen correctly and obeyed, they are the very well-spring of happiness and success. We could think of them as our loving divine Parent's instruction manual for having a wonderful life.
