Breaking the commandments constitutes sin. Sin brings death as its penalty. Sin has existed as a factor in human life since the time of Adam because the spiritual law of God was in effect from the beginning of creation. God ascribed sin to man from the start. People committed the sin of breaking the commandments before the time of Moses. Examples include idolatry, murder, adultery, and Sabbath breaking. Abraham kept the commandments. David was concerned about keeping the commandments. Jesus Christ kept the Ten Commandments and taught others to keep them in order to enter eternal life. The apostles taught obedience to the commandments. The church that Jesus Christ built teaches and practices keeping the Ten Commandments. Love does not nullify the law. Lawbreakers will not be allowed into the holy city once the Kingdom of God is established.

Breaking the rules results in a penalty. Transgressing the law constitutes sin because the law defines the standard of righteousness on one side and sin on the other. Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. Breaking a commandment such as the prohibition against covetousness moves a person outside the hedges of God's love and requires immediate return to obedience. The law reveals such infractions so that sin may be purged like leaven from a life that has already been made unleavened through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Young people have engaged in breaking the Sabbath along with alcohol abuse, drug use, sexual immorality, stealing, lying, and dishonoring parents. Rebellion against His commandment brought punishment upon the church. Breaking God's law produces automatic consequences that break the individual without any need for direct action from God. Those who keep God's commandments please Him and receive added blessings while those who break them bring ruin upon themselves. Each person remains accountable for commandment breaking regardless of age once understanding exists. Repentance requires turning from all transgressions and putting God first to avoid eternal consequences.