Catechisma

Lord’s Day 41

Q108. What does God want from us in the seventh commandment?

God forbids all sexual sin. We should hate it and, whether married or single, live pure and decent lives.

Scripture Proofs — King James Version

1

Leviticus 18:30

Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that commit not of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I the LORD your God.

Ephesians 5:3–5

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

2

Jude 22–23

And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

3

1 Corinthians 7:1–9

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. But I speak this by permission, not of commandment. For I would that all men were even as I myself. But 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 Thessalonians 4:3–8

For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no go beyond and defraud his brother in matter: because that the Lord the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Parent Guide

Discuss this question together

Discussion Questions

  1. 1

    What does the seventh commandment require of all people, whether married or single?

  2. 2

    Why does God give rules about how we treat our bodies?

  3. 3

    What does it mean to live a "pure and decent" life?

Illustration

A glass of clean water is meant for drinking. If someone pours dirt into it, the water cannot do what it was made for. God made our bodies for good purposes. Purity means keeping ourselves set apart for the good things God intends.

Application

Be careful about what you watch and listen to this week. If something on a screen makes you uncomfortable or you know it does not honor God, turn it off. Because God calls us to purity, guarding your eyes and ears is one practical step you can take today.