THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
“You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14 ESV)
This commandment prohibits sexual relationships between two persons with at least one of them belonging to another. It upholds the sacredness of marriage between a biological man and a biological woman as the divine plan for the propagation and multiplication of the human race.
Second, only to a personal relationship with God, marriage is the single most important relationship that a Christian will ever have. Marriage is the most HOLY thing they will ever do. Marriage is about living in harmony, commonality, and agreement, which is impossible without both partners being Born-Again (2 Corinthians 6:14-7-2).
Being unfaithful in a legal marriage is specifically addressed here. Marriage is most important to God.
“If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:10 ESV)
The binding commitment of marriage is similar to the relationship between God and every Christian. Unfaithfulness to God is also considered adultery (Genesis 39:9). Adultery is an invasion of the household that destroys the family, which is the primary basis of the social order.
It should be noted that God recognizes the equality of men and women. Israel’s Law was distinctive regarding adultery in that it recognized that equality, and the adulterer, as well as the adulteress, was to be punished by death (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22).
Jesus expanded on this commandment and set an even higher standard when He said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” (Matthew 5:27-29 ESV).
God regards adultery committed in the heart the same as physical adultery. All sexual activity outside of marriage is adultery. It is a sin against God, oneself, the person involved, and their future spouse.
“For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.” (Acts 15:28-29 ESV)
All sexual immorality emanates from the works of the sinful nature.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21 ESV)
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20 ESV)
“We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.” (1 Corinthians 10:8 ESV)
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5 ESV)
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 ESV)
Breaking the covenant of marriage between two Christians is adultery. God considers marriage between two Christians a binding contractual commitment between them and Him. Divorce betrays and injures the husband, wife, children, and the marriage covenant. God made the husband and wife "one." (Genesis 2:18-25). God miraculously makes two totally different people become one flesh. God mysteriously binds husband and wife together in the most intimate fellowship. The Bible describes a man's wife as his "companion, and his “wife by covenant" (Malachi 2:14 ESV). The essence of the marriage relationship is friendship. Biblically, "covenant" is a bond of communion. In the communion of the marriage covenant, a man's wife is his "companion," his friend.
"And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." (Matthew 19:9 ESV)
Note the words “except for sexual immorality.” This is known in theological circles as the ‘exception clause’ that came about over the last 100 years. Before that, the interpretation of the ‘exception clause’ is by understanding the syntax used is a double conditional clause where an elliptical phrase is placed immediately after the first condition - ‘divorces/puts away’ (See Matthew 5:32 and 19:9).
The elliptical phrase ‘except for sexual immorality’ does not contain a verb and must be supplied from the context. The only verb used immediately precedes the ‘exception clause,’ which is the word “divorce” (Gk: apoluó). Because of that, it should be read in modern English as: “whoever divorces his wife, unless she has ALREADY committed adultery, and marries another, commits adultery.” The 'exception' is from the guilt of divorcing a woman ALREADY an adulterer (Matthew 5:32).
That interpretation is confirmed where there is no supposed ‘exception clause.’ (Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18). When compared with the fact that God hates divorce, just like He hates murder (Malachi 2:13-17; Proverbs 6:17; 1 John 3:15; Matthew 5:21-24), forbids committing adultery (Exodus 20:14; Proverbs 6:32; Matthew 5:17-20, 27-28; 1 Corinthians 6:9); that the Christian is commanded not to divorce (1 Corinthians 7:10-11) and is to remain married to the same person unless the spouse dies; otherwise if they don’t, they are committing adultery (Romans 7:1-3).
Based on the numerous verses quoted, there is a solid case against two Christians getting divorced for ANY reason, including adultery. God has explicitly forbidden the Christian to marry an unbeliever.
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV)
However, if both husband and wife were not Born-Again when they married and one spouse becomes Born-Again, the “unbelieving” spouse “is sanctified through” their “believing” spouse; otherwise, “their children are unclean, but now they are holy” (1 Corinthians 7:14 NIV).
Two members of the body of Christ must not divorce. However, that same rule does not apply to unequally yoked marriages (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). There are very specific conditions that must be met for a divorce when it is unequally yoked (1 Corinthians 7:12-16).
Fathers are to teach their children God’s plan for having a permanent and good marriage by showing them and not just by telling them to help them prepare for marriage and find the right spouse.
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
“You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15 ESV)
This commandment prohibits taking something that does not belong to a person or receiving something illegally. Stealing of any kind, and under any circumstance, is wrong. In Hebrew it includes the idea of kidnapping a person, such as in human trafficking. It forbids the attempt to use God or other people for personal gains, such as intentionally stealing or withholding something from a person such as:
1. Love
2. Time
3. Money
4. Affection
5. Stealing their dignity, innocence, self-respect, freedom, or rights
6. Borrowing something and never returning it
7. Selling something of inferior value or overpricing it
8. Shoplifting
9. Armed robbery
10. Burglary
11. Looting
12. Being stingy with a tip at a restaurant or hotel
13. Stealing from an employer
14. Underpaying employees
15. Extortion, such as using high-pressure sales tactics
16. Committing fraud
17. Insurance scams
18. Laziness
19. Doing a poor or inadequate job such as padding the time clock, taking longer breaks than allowed
20. Promising or committing to doing something in a specific time frame but never delivering
21. Tax evasion
22. Plagiarizing their work
“For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:6-8 ESV)
“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28-29 ESV)
There are only three ways to get wealth: work for it, have it given to you, or steal it – which God forbids. Wealth is more than money. It comprises all that God gives us; our talents, influence, and our whole self. Stealing is a breach of trust. Labor is a gift from God.
“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil-this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 ESV)
The opposite of stealing is generosity. Fathers are to teach their children to give generously because it breaks selfishness and self-centeredness. They are to show their children what generosity means by tithing, joining a ministry team or a mission project at church, or helping a neighbor. God wants Fathers to teach their children that working with their hands is good.
“It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.” (Lamentations 3:27 ESV)
The opposite of work is idleness. If a person does not want to work, they should not eat.
“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.” (2 Thessalonians 3-12 ESV)
The enemy is the father of lies and a thief who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10a ESV). Jesus came that we “might have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10b ESV). The enemy wants to rob each family of God’s abundant life. A person steals from God when they don’t give their whole heart and life to Jesus.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)
THE NINTH COMMANDMENT
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16 ESV)
In this information age, people know more things yet believe less. The world has lost the concept of absolute truth and information is not a substitute. It is being built on falsehood rather than honesty.
“Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter.” (Isaiah 59:14 ESV)
This commandment explicitly prohibits a false witness by telling untruths about another person and commands truthfulness of speech to and about others in any circumstance. Words can either help or harm. Being a false witness makes a statement of what is not true and is intended to deceive, violating the obligation to speak the truth.
Human beings are to live in accordance with their design because it is absolutely critical to human flourishing. Sex and gender are binary by their very nature. There are men and there are women by God’s design for humanity. Pronouns describe objective reality. When a person uses a person’s “preferred” pronouns they are describing a subjective reality that is contrary to the Word of God and against empirical biological science. When a person uses a false pronoun to describe a man or a woman, they are bearing false testimony against their neighbor. The moral obligation of every person before God is to speak the truth in love and humility, even if their neighbor may take offense.
The Bible expands on this:
"You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. "You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.” (Exodus 23:1-3 ESV)
When a person lies to, or about another person, they act like the devil. The Pharisees slandered Jesus to His face and said He was an illegitimate child. Jesus responded and said;
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44 ESV)
Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward.” (Matthew 26:59-60 ESV)
The word “devil” in Greek is ‘diábolos’ and means to slander, falsely accuse, defame, unjustly criticize or malign to destroy another.
When a person criticizes, gossips, and spreads rumors about another, they act like the devil. When a person accuses God of causing pain or suffering, they are slandering His righteousness, goodness, and faithfulness and impugning His character and nature.
The Goodness of God
God desires only what is in our best interest.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17 ESV)
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19 ESV)
“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber." (Psalm 121:3 ESV)
God is always seeking the welfare of His people.
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11 ESV)
God’s ultimate purpose is to prepare His people to become His possession:
"...who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." (Titus 2:14 ESV)
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)
On an even more intimate level, God calls every Christian His Bride: "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb" (Revelation 21:9 NIV). Not only are Christians His Bride, but He has promised to have a most intimate one-on-one relationship with them:
"And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2 ESV)
The Creator of the Universe became human to walk among humanity and ultimately die for them. He sent the Holy Spirit and gave the Bible to prove His love and help prepare them for the day when they will see Him face to face. Jesus said that He causes “the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45 ESV).
Speak No Evil
“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.” (Exodus 23:1-3 ESV)
Christians are never to “speak evil against one another” because “the one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law” (James 4:11 ESV).
“There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV)
This Commandment includes such things as:
1. Slandering another by deliberately lying to injure them
2. The willful misrepresentation of facts
3. Spreading gossip
4. Leading people to believe a lie
5. Impugning a person’s character
6. Swearing a false oath
7. Not standing up for another to help vindicate them when falsely accused
“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5-6 ESV)
When a Christian lies, they give place to the devil, the father of lies.
“He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44-45 ESV)
Christians are to speak the truth to their neighbor and about them. This Commandment guards a person’s reputation, and it should govern our tongues, hearts, and ears.
Christians must teach honesty to their children by living their lives before them in what they say and what they do. The home should love the truth, speak the truth, and live the truth so that they will be faithful witnesses for Jesus to their neighbors and co-workers. A home that is not built on truth will ultimately crumble into chaos. Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:5 ESV). Promises made must be promises kept. Tell children that when they tell the truth and speak the truth, they act like Jesus.
