The Seventh Commandment: Honouring God with Our Sexuality
"You shall not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14)
Sexuality is a precious gift from God, designed for the bond
between husband and wife in marriage. It is a topic that must be addressed with
both sensitivity and courage because Scripture speaks clearly about it. As
Christians, we must uphold what God has commanded with love and truth.
Understanding “Unchastity”
Unchastity refers to any sexual activity outside the
covenant of marriage. The Bible teaches that sexual relations are meant
exclusively for marriage, where they serve as a deep expression of love and a
means of bringing new life into the world. This includes:
- Pre-marital
sex – Engaging in sexual relations before marriage or cohabiting as
though married without a covenant commitment.
- Adultery
– A married person engaging in a sexual relationship with someone who is
not their spouse.
- Pornography
– A widespread issue that distorts God’s design for intimacy, readily
available through digital devices.
Biblical Warnings Against Sexual Immorality
God warned the Israelites against the detestable practices
of the Canaanites (Leviticus 18:30), where sexual perversion was rampant and
often intertwined with pagan worship. In the New Testament, Paul addresses
similar immorality in places like Ephesus, Greece, and Rome (Ephesians 5:3-5),
where sexual sins were normalized. He calls believers to live in holiness:
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in
the Lord. Live as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8)
The Relevance for Today’s Culture
Our modern world mirrors these ancient societies.
Homosexuality, pride parades, and casual cohabitation before marriage are
normalized. Public school curriculums often teach children to explore their
sexuality in ways that contradict biblical truth. As believers, we must remain
steadfast in God’s word and teach our children the right path.
The Beauty of God’s Design for Marriage
Sexual relations are reserved for marriage between a man and
a woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6, Ephesians 5:31). Within this sacred
bond, sex is a blessing and a means of deepening love between husband and wife.
It also serves as the means by which children are conceived. Outside of
marriage, it leads to complications—guilt, unintended pregnancies, emotional
wounds, and damage within families and the church.
Young people preparing for marriage must remain pure. Dating
should be with someone who loves the Lord and will honour his commandments. A
man who loves Jesus above all else will take good care of his wife.
The Permanence of Marriage
Marriage is a lifelong covenant, and divorce should not be
an option except in cases of adultery (Matthew 19:9). Unfortunately, divorce
rates are high in Canada and the United States, and same-sex marriage has
become widely accepted. These deviations from God’s design are tragic, but as
believers, we must remain faithful to his word.
Sexual Purity: A Call to Holiness
Paul’s exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 and Hebrews 13:4
reminds us that sexual purity is essential for believers. Jesus warns that even
looking at someone lustfully is sin (Matthew 5:27-29), emphasizing the need to
guard our hearts and minds.
Paul calls us to flee from sexual immorality because our
bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). Surrounding
ourselves with godly influences is crucial: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1
Corinthians 15:33). We must also avoid substances like alcohol that impair
judgment and seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit instead (Ephesians 5:18).
Teaching the Next Generation
Parents play a vital role in teaching their children about
godly sexuality. They must:
- Educate
them about the dangers of pornography.
- Instill
the value of purity before marriage.
- Encourage
them to date only those who love the Lord.
- Protect
them from worldly influences that distort biblical truth.
The battle for sexual purity is real, but there is
forgiveness in Christ. Those who have sinned can find grace and restoration
through repentance. God’s design is always best, and He calls us to honour him with
our bodies and our relationships.
Let us live as children of light, upholding the beauty of
God’s design for marriage and sexuality, for his glory and our good.
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Based on a lesson given to a Karen Zoom class.