INTRODUCTION
q This commandment continues to highlight our relationship and duties to our fellow human beings. The fifth protects proper authority, the sixth protects our neighbour’s life, while the seventh protects the sanctity of the marriage.
BODY
I. The Seventh Commandment is based
A. On the characteristic of God as pure and faithful.
1. Pure (Hab. 1:13; Phil. 2:15; I Peter 1:15,16; I John 3:3)
2. Faithful (Psalm 119:75; Lam. 3:22-23; I Cor. 10:13; II Cor. 1:18)
B. God is concerned with the sanctity of marriage
II. Observations
A. Adultery is illicit sex involving a married person
1. It can be committed in the mind (Matt. 5:27-30)
2. It will eventually lead to divorce (Matt. 5:27-31)
B. It underscores the exclusiveness of marriage (Gen. 2:24)
C. It underscores the permanence of the marriage union (Matt. 19:3-9; 5:31-32; Rom. 7:2-3)
D. It underscores that God intended marriage to be heterosexual rather than homosexual
E. It underscores the covenantal nature of marriage (Mal. 3: 13-16)
III. The Significance of the Commandment
A. Sex in its proper place is a gift from God
1. Sex is God created and as God’s gift it is to be expressed in accordance with His design for it (Gen. 1:27-28)
2. It has covenant significance – it builds oneness in marriage (I Cor. 6:13-16)
3. It is the means of reproducing the human race (Gen. 1:27-28) – it gives human beings the privilege of sharing with God in creating new life
4. It is designed as a joyful expression of marital love/for marital pleasure (Prov. 5:15-20)
B. Sex outside its proper place is forbidden.
1. The only context for the legitimate exercise and enjoyment of sexual activity is marriage (Gen. 2:24-25).
2. Any sexual activity outside the confines of marriage is forbidden.
C. It also prohibits every type of sexual sin
1. Adultery (Heb. 13:4)
2. Fornication (Acts 15:20; Rom. 13:13; I Cor. 6:13; I Cor. 10:8; Eph. 5:3; I Thess. 4:3)
3. Homosexuality/Lesbianism (Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:26,27; I Cor. 6:9)
4. Bestiality (Lev. 18:23; 20:15, 16; Exod. 22:19; Deut. 27:21), Rape (Exod. 22:16; Deut. 22:28,29), Incest (Lev. 18:6-18; 20:12,17,20; Deut. 27:20,23), and any other sexual aberration
D. …it requires us to guard our sexual purity and to honour God with our bodies (I Cor. 6:18-20)
1. We must avoid everything that might lead to sexual sin (Job 31:1; Matt. 5:28)
a. sexually stimulating practices, e.g. Sexual touching,
masturbation, pornography
b. do not place ourselves in a place to be tempted (I Cor. 15:33)
c. guard our thoughts (Phil. 4:8; II Cor. 10:3-5)
E. …it requires us to affirm marriage and to work to build and maintain strong families
CONCLUSION
A. Summary & Conclusion
