Practical
Implications of the Seventh Commandment
by J. Parnell
McCarter
The seventh commandment has many practical
implications which are outlined and suggested in the Westminster
Standards. Consider the following
statements from the Westminster Larger Catechism:
Q. 137. Which is the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit
adultery.[766]
Q. 138. What are the
duties required in the seventh commandment?
A. The duties required in the
seventh commandment are, chastity in body, mind, affections,[767]
words,[768]
and behavior;[769]
and the preservation of it in ourselves and others;[770]
watchfulness over the eyes and all the senses;[771]
temperance,[772]
keeping of chaste company,[773]
modesty in apparel;[774]
marriage by those that have not the gift of continency,[775]
conjugal love,[776]
and cohabitation;[777]
diligent labor in our callings;[778]
shunning all occasions of uncleanness, and resisting temptations thereunto.[779]
Q. 139. What are the sins
forbidden in the seventh commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the
seventh commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required,[780]
are, adultery, fornication,[781]
rape, incest,[782]
sodomy, and all unnatural lusts;[783]
all unclean imaginations, thoughts, purposes, and affections;[784]
all corrupt or filthy communications, or listening thereunto;[785]
wanton looks,[786]
impudent or light behaviour, immodest apparel;[787]
prohibiting of lawful,[788]
and dispensing with unlawful marriages;[789]
allowing, tolerating, keeping of stews, and resorting to them;[790]
entangling vows of single life,[791]
undue delay of marriage,[792]
having more wives or husbands than one at the same time;[793]
unjust divorce,[794]
or desertion;[795]
idleness, gluttony, drunkenness,[796]
unchaste company;[797]
lascivious songs, books, pictures, dancings, stage
plays;[798]
and all other provocations to, or acts of uncleanness, either in ourselves or
others.[799]
Surely love of God
should draw us to carefulness and obedience in this area.
The December 1934 issue
of the Free Presbyterian Magazine touched upon a few of these issues, as found
at http://www.puritans.net/articles/fpmagdec1934section.pdf
. There is much to
prayerfully consider.