May 13
27
Doctrinal Standard #70 & 71
- Q. What is the seventh commandment?
- A. The seventh commandment is: You shall not commit adultery.
- Q. What does the seventh commandment require?
- A. The seventh commandment requires us and everyone else to keep sexually pure in heart, speech, and action.
Memory Verses
- “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24, ESV).
Scripture
- Study Passage: 1 Corinthians 7
- Support Passages: Genesis 1:26-28, 2:23-24, 39:1-18; Matthew 5:27-32, 19:3-12; Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:22-33
- Bible Story: Matthew 5:20-30
Thoughts
- Parents, I encourage you to begin this healthy discussion with your sons and daughters earlier than later. It is important that we instill a strong biblical worldview about sex early on as our children will be pressured in so many ways to adopt a secular worldview.
- “Emphasizing the fact that sexual desire, and the proper satisfaction of it, is not wrong. This is evident from the account of creation. When Adam was first created, ‘there was not found a help meet for him [that is, a mate fit for him]’ (Gen. 2:20). And it was God who said, ‘it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a help for him’ (v. 18). Then, when God had created Eve and brought her to Adam, he prophesied, saying, ‘Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh’ (v. 24). Thus we see that even in a sinless state there was sexual urge. It was divinely created. And there was nothing evil in it then, for we read that ‘they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed’ (v. 25). From this we learn that sex desire is not wrong in itself. Neither is it wrong to satisfy or fulfill this sex desire if this is done in the way that God has ordained. The Bible frankly recognizes the fact that it is this need which draws people together in marriage.”
- We do well, then, to realize the depths of sinful corruption to which men go. God recognized this, and therefore spoke out plainly about these sins in His Old Testament law. What we need to realize is that we ourselves are – by nature – inclined to these same sins (all sexual sin). We need to realize that it is only by the grace of God that we ourselves can escape the corruption that is in the world (2 Peter 1:4). Let us consider, then, the way in which the Lord enables men to rule the impulse of sex to His glory, and then own good. (1) The Bible says that God gives to some the gift of continency. By this we mean that God enables some to live without having sexual relations, by giving them the strength to resist temptation to adultery. Jesus said, ‘there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there are eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it let him receive it’ (Matt. 19:12)… (2)For others, however – and this includes most people – this is not possible. ‘Every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn’ (1 Cor. 7:7-9). Thus, for most, marriage is the God-given means of controlling sexual desire. Even then, however, marriage must be ‘only in the Lord’ (1 Cor. 7:39), that is, between two believers.” [1]
Discussion Questions
- What is the seventh commandment?
- What does the seventh commandment require?
- What are practical ways to keep sexually pure?
- What are the two ways the Lord enables us to rule the impulse of sex?(refer to thoughts section)
- Read Matthew 5:28 and discuss Jesus’ teaching about this commandment.
- Explain why Jesus is not only concerned with our actions but with our heart?
[1] Williamson, C.I. (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism – 2nd Edition. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.
