Devotional #109

Question 109. In this Commandment does God forbid nothing more than adultery and similar sins?

Answer: Since both our body and soul are temples of the Holy Spirit, He commands us to preserve them pure and holy: therefore He forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words (a), thoughts, desires (b), and whatever can entice men thereto (c).

(a) Ephesians 5:3-4: But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20: 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.
(b) Matthew 5:27-28: 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.
(c) Ephesians 5:18: And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:33: Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

For your personal reflection:
How do you approach these Commandments?  Do you read the 7^th Commandment and, since you have been physically faithful, believe that you have kept it?  It is very easy to become self-rightoues when we focus only on the external aspect of the Law.  When, however, we recongnize that the Law reveals the lawlessness in our heart we are given an opportunity to repent and embrace a Saviour who has in His body addressed our inablity to keep the Commandments.  The authors of the Heidelberg Catechism sought to reveal the intent behind the action and in so doing uncover the hidden and discreet sin that dwells within.  Perhaps the witness of a humble, redeemed people giving witness to our common need for a Saviour and the outworking of the life of Christ in the realm of a redeemed sexuality is THE witness needed in our day.