Catechism Question 62
What is the seventh commandment, and what does it teach us?
The seventh commandment is “You shall not commit adultery.” It teaches us that we must not commit adultery or sexually sin in thought, word, or deed, but must be sexually pure whether in single life or marriage.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
This question focuses on the seventh commandment. In this commandment, we are told that we must not commit adultery. God calls His people to be faithful to their vows in all of life, and especially to their marriage vows. Adultery is nothing less than the violation of covenant vows made to others and to God Himself.
However, as with all of the other commands, more than the things specifically mentioned (adultery) is in view. God calls us to be sexually pure in every way. This means that all forms of sexual activity other than a man and a woman married to one another are sinful and outside of the will of God. This is why the New Testament does not condemn just adultery but all forms of sexual sin – fornication, homosexuality, orgies, etc. All sexual sin is in view in this command.
Furthermore, Jesus once again teaches us that this command not only forbids sexual sin in our actions but also in our thoughts and desires. To lust after someone to whom we are not married is sin, even if we do not act upon the thoughts or desires. God calls us to be pure in heart, mind, and body.
Finally, the New Testament teaches us that we are also commanded to make sure that we do not tempt others to think or act in sexually sinful ways by our own words or behavior. To do so is to violate this commandment, for as always the command includes a requirement to do the opposite of what is being forbidden. Thus it is not enough to avoid sexual sin ourselves; we must not act in a way that could lead others to sexual sin.
Additional Questions:
What is the seventh commandment? What does it teach us?
What is the seventh commandment? What does it forbid us from doing? What does it teach us to do?
Scripture References:
Exodus 20:14
You shall not commit adultery.
Deuteronomy 5:18
You shall not commit adultery.
Proverbs 6:32
But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
1 Corinthians 6:9–11
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Matthew 5:27–32
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. 31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
Galatians 5:19–21
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Ephesians 5:3
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
1 Thessalonians 4:3–7
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
Questions for Further Discussion:
What does the seventh commandment teach us? What does it forbid? What does it command us to do?
Why is adultery wrong? Is it simply because it emotionally harms our spouse, or are there other reasons that make adultery evil?
Why does Jesus say that this command means that even lusting is wrong? Why must I guard my heart and mind against even thoughts and desires towards someone to whom I am not married? What happens if I do not stop thoughts and desires about another person?
Does this command only prohibit adultery, or are other forms of sexual sin included? Does the Scripture only condemn adultery or all forms of sexual sin? Where does it teach this?
What does this command teach us regarding our culture’s belief that as long as sex is between consenting adults it is ok? What if the people really love each other? What if they have deep desires for one another? Is sex really restricted to a man and a woman who are married to each other?
Does this mean that sex is in itself wrong? Does God hate sex – or just sexual sin? Within marriage is sex evil, neutral, or is it a positive, holy good?
Why is it important that I not speak or act in a manner that might lead others to sexual sin? What words or actions might lead others to sin?
Additional Information:
This question is based on questions 108-109 of the Heidelberg Catechism, questions 70-72 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 11 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg, Westminster Shorter, or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “The Question of Sexuality” (April 22, 2018), “Lust” (March 25, 2018), “A Holy Sexuality” (June 11, 2017), “Is Cohabitation the Same AS Marriage?” (December 4, 2005”, “Does God Allow Homosexual Marriage” (December 11, 2005), and “#TamarToo” (September 18, 2018).
Suggested Worship Song:
A Pure Heart (Rusty Nelson, Integrity Hosanna Music)
A pure heart, that’s what I long for.
A heart that follows hard after Thee;
A pure heart, that’s what I long for.
A heart that follows hard after Thee.
VERSE:
A heart that hides Your Word
So that sin will not come in.
A heart that’s undivided
But one You rule and reign;
A heart that beats compassion,
That pleases You, my Lord.
A sweet aroma of worship
That rises to Your throne.