From Discipleship Weekly

(a publication of the Presbyterian Church of Islip)

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A Word from Our Sponsor You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. -- Matthew 5:27-29 The Heidelberg Catechism: Part 3 - Thankfulness Week 41: The Seventh Commandment 108. Q. What does the seventh commandment teach us? A. That all unchastity is condemned by God, and that we should therefore detest it from the heart, and live chaste and disciplined lives, whether in holy wedlock or in single life. [Lev. 18:30; I Cor. 7:1-9; Eph. 5:3-5; I Thess. 4:3-8; Heb. 13:4; Jude 22-23] 109. Q. Does God forbid nothing more than adultery and such gross sins in this commandment? A. Since both our body and soul are a temple of the Holy Spirit, it is his will that we keep both pure and holy. Therefore he forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words, thoughts, desires and whatever may excite another person to them. [I Cor. 6:18-20; 15:33; Eph. 5:3-4, 18] Suggestions for discussion and review: The Catechism uses the word "unchastity" rather than "adultery" to broaden the application of this commandment. What are some of the things in our own lives that make us guilty of violating this commandment? Is there anything in the broader application of this commandment that could possibly involve, or lead to, violation of any of the other Commandments? How does the media (TV, radio, films, etc.) contribute to the problem of unchastity? Are there steps Christians can take to influence change is this area? What do you do to avoid the influence of these things in your own life, or the life of your family? * * * * * * * * * * The God of the Christians is a God who makes the soul feel that He is her only good, that her only rest is in Him, that her only delight is in loving Him; and who makes her at the same time abhor the obstacles which keep her back and prevent her from loving God with all her strength. Self-love and lust, which hinder us, are unbearable to her. Thus God makes her feel that she has this root of self-love which destroys her, and which He alone can cure. -- Blaise Pascal