The Ten Commandments, stand as a monumental and foundational text, not just for the Israelites at Mount Sinai, but for all who seek to understand God's will and live a righteous life. More than a simple list of "dos and don'ts," these commandments are a divine blueprint for flourishing human existence—they detail how we are to rightly relate to our Creator and how we are to rightly relate to one another. As we embark on this study, we are invited to look beyond the surface rules and engage in the continuous process of self-reflection and alignment with God's guidance. Our goal is to uncover the deep wisdom, the sacrificial love, and the enduring relevance of these ten statements, allowing them to shape a stronger, more Christ-centered foundation in our own faith and priorities.
This session is centered around the seventh commandment Exodus 20:14 NIV You shall not commit adultery.
The Seventh Commandment is often viewed as a "marriage rule," but in God’s eyes, it is a Commandment of Faithfulness. It protects the purity of our bodies, the sincerity of our worship, and the integrity of our promises.
NOTE: CLICK THE YOUTUBE LINK BELOW FOR AN AUDIO OF THE ENTIRE BIBLE STUDY SESSION
Exodus 20:1-3 NIV [1] And God spoke all these words: [2] “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. [3] “You shall have no other gods before me.
the first commandment
Exodus 20:3 NIV You shall have no other gods before me.
the second commandment.
Exodus 20:4-6 NIV [4] “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. [5] You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, [6] but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
This commandment addresses two critical aspects of worship: the method and the motive.
the third Commandment,
Exodus 20:7 NIV “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
The core idea of treating God's name as empty, false, worthless, or meaningless applies to how we speak about Him, how we make promises in His presence, and how we live our lives as His representatives.
The Fourth Commandment
Exodus 20:8-11 (NIV) “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
God wants us to delight in His Word, enjoy his creation, celebrate beauty and love, and rejoice in the harvest. God intended for his people to enjoy their relationship with Him and each other by valuing the Sabbath. The Sabbath is set apart to connect with God and with other people. No one was excluded from the command to rest – even foreigners, servants, and livestock were called to take a break from work on the Sabbath. It was to be a blessing for all of creation.
"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"
The Fifth Commandment, "Honor your father and your mother," is unique among the Ten Commandments as it is the only one that comes with a specific promise
Exodus 20:12 NIV “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
It establishes the fundamental principle of respect for authority and order within the family—the basic unit of society.
Exodus 20:13 NIV “You shall not murder.
While it is one of the shortest verses in the Bible, its implications reach deep into the human heart, our social structures, and our walk with God.
God looks at the heart. Murder is the physical fruit of a heart full of hate, pride, or greed.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus moves the commandment from a physical act to a spiritual condition. He suggests that the "seed" of murder exists in the heart long before a hand is lifted.
Matthew 5:21-22 NIV [21] “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ [22] But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Exodus 20:14 NIV You shall not commit adultery.
The Seventh Commandment is often viewed as a "marriage rule," but in God’s eyes, it is a Commandment of Faithfulness. It protects the purity of our bodies, the sincerity of our worship, and the integrity of our promises.
1. Sexual Integrity (Married & Single)
The most direct application is the preservation of sexual purity. Jesus moved the standard from the physical act to the intent of the heart.
Matthew 5:27-30 NIV [27] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ [28] But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
For the Single: Purity is not "waiting for a wedding night"; it is a lifestyle of honoring God with your body now. Engaging in lust or immorality is a misuse of a gift reserved for the covenant of marriage. The Goal: To honor God with your body today, recognizing that your worth is not tied to your relationship status.
For the Married: It is the exclusive devotion to one’s spouse, guarding the mind against "greener grass" syndrome.
Integrity in marriage means being emotionally and mentally exclusive, not just physically present.
The Mindset: "The grass is green where you water it." Comparing your spouse to others—whether real people or digital fantasies—is a form of "emotional adultery" that erodes your bond.
Practical Step: Practice "the second look" rule. You may notice beauty in the world, but the second look is where intent begins. Redirect your thoughts immediately back to appreciation for your spouse.
The Goal: To build a "hedge" around your marriage by being transparent with your partner about your struggles and wins.
Historically and biblically, there are two different terms used to describe sexual sin:
Adultery (Moicheia): Specifically refers to sexual unfaithfulness by a married person. It is a violation of the marriage covenant.
Fornication (Porneia): A broader term (often translated as "sexual immorality") that covers any sexual activity outside of marriage, including premarital sex between a boyfriend and girlfriend.
If neither person is married, a boyfriend "cheating" on a girlfriend isn't technically "adultery" in the legal sense because no marriage covenant exists to be broken. However, it is still considered a sin for two reasons:
The Sin of Fornication: Any sexual intimacy outside of marriage violates God’s design for purity.
The Sin of Deceit and Betrayal: Even without a wedding ring, a relationship involves a "promise" of exclusivity. Breaking that promise involves lying and betrayal, which are contrary to living a life aligned with God's will.
As we discussed earlier, Jesus moved the standard from the physical act to the intent of the heart. If a person in a dating relationship is looking at others with lust or seeking emotional/sexual intimacy elsewhere, they are practicing the same heart-posture as an adulterer.
They are training their heart to be unfaithful. If you cannot be exclusive and pure in a dating relationship, it becomes much harder to maintain that foundation once you are married.
2. Spiritual Adultery (Unfaithfulness to God)
In Scripture, God describes His relationship with His people as a marriage. When we turn to idols—money, career, or self-worship—we are being "unfaithful" to our Creator.
3. The Betrayal of Covenant (Trust and Deception)
Adultery is the ultimate breach of contract. It relies on secrecy and the breaking of a "One Flesh" or "One Spirit" bond.
Here are the key scriptures that speak to those specific themes:
1. The Breach of Covenant (Contract)
In the Bible, marriage is not just a civil contract but a three-way covenant involving God as the witness. Breaking it is described as "dealing treacherously."
Summary Table: Why it’s the "Ultimate Breach"
2. Emphasize "Spiritual Adultery"
The Concept: We are all "betrothed" to Christ. When a single person prioritizes career, social media clout, or even the desire for a relationship above God, they are being unfaithful to their first love.
Summary Table: The Call to Faithfulness
Bible Verses for Purity and Faithfulness
Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
1 Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful…
Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
2 Timothy 2:22 - Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace…
Psalm 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
James 4:8 - Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Colossians 3:2 - Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
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