Naturally as human beings, we are all sinners.  Only under God’s grace and wisdom do we receive redemption for the sins we commit.  In A Painted House by John Grisham, many sins are committed by various characters.  We see lying, stealing, and most unfortunately killing.

The sixth commandment of the Ten Commandment states, You shall not murder.  Though, this does not hold true in the story.  Hank Spruill, a vicious “hill-people”, violently attacks three boys and ends up killing one.  Also, Cowboy ends up gutting Hank.  However this is not the only sin Cowboy commits.  Cowboy steals from Hank the two hundred and fifty dollars that Hank won from beating Samson.  He definitely violates the eighth commandment.

The ninth commandment says, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.  Which pretty much means you should not lie.  Luke does not follow this though.  Luke keeps secrets that are harmful to himself and to others.  In the end though Luke repents by telling the truth.