THE 7^TH COMMANDMENT: GOD’S PROTECTION OF MARRIAGE

Exodus 20:14 God’s Call To Radical Sexual Purity

…It was Emerson who said, “good __fences__ make good neighbors.”  God’s commandments are like fences.  They put a barrier between us and that which would destroy us.

…Just as human life is sacred, so __marriage__ is equally sacred and is not to be violated by infidelity.  A wife is a man’s most treasured possession.  To take her…is a great sin.

…Ours is a day of unbridled adultery.  People propagate, promote, and exploit it through the media.  Adultery is portrayed as __exciting__ and even beneficial to one’s marriage.  God loves us enough to tell us the truth…sex is God’s wedding __gift__ and is to be enjoyed exclusively within the bounds of matrimony.

THREE INSIGHTS CALLING US TO LIVE WITHIN THE FENCES OF SEXUAL PURITY.

…FOR LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR MEANS THAT YOU WILL NOT TAKE HIS __WIFE__

I.        The Primary Meaning Of This Commandment Is Directed To Those Married, But It Touches Everyone Whether Married Or Single

A.     The word “adultery” comes from adulterate meaning to make __impure__.

B.     God tells us that adultery is when a husband or wife engage in sex with someone __other__ than their spouse.  This sin is grounds for __divorce__.

C.     You should know that the frequency of this prohibition is 2^nd in the Old Testament only to idolatry and 2^nd to __none__ in the New Testament.

D.     Remember we have an __enemy__ of the soul, Satan, who would destroy you and your marriage if you let him.  He disguises himself as an angel of light…

E.     This commandment is the basis for sexual purity not only for married couples, but also for singles.  The Heidelberg Catechism: “What does the 7^th Commandment teach us?  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 marriage or in __single__ life.”

II.       Jesus Gives Us His Exposition On This Commandment. (Matthew 5:27-30)

A.     Jesus tells that adultery is far more than an act, it is a matter of the __heart__…the trouble is deep within our hearts.

B.     Jesus prescribes the only solution for dealing with this sin, immediate and __radical__ disassociation with it.  Adultery is not beautiful, it is utterly sinful and ugly in God’s eyes.  Hell is so terrible, do whatever you have to separate yourself from sin.  Faithfulness is and __act__ of the mind, not merely the body.

III.                Note Some Common Miseries That Attend When Adultery Happens:

A.     Harm to self: guilt, __disease__, disgust and self-hatred.

B.     Harm to your marriage: The betrayal, the __destruction__ to one’s mate, divorce?

C.     Harm to children: infidelity tells a child, “your mother is __not__ worth much, and your father is a liar and cheat.  Also, __honor__ is not as important as pleasure.

D.     Harm to the world:  If the __gospel__ cannot give power to control sexuality, how can it save the world?  The world laughs at Christ and His church.

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:

1.       God calls each one of us to radical sexual purity.

2.       Plan to avoid anything or anyone which will lead you to the sin of adultery.

3.       If you have failed, it is a sin which can be forgiven, but you must go and sin no more.

4.       Perhaps your real need is to be saved.  Cry out “Lord Jesus be merciful to me a sinner”.