Foreword:
The following exerpt is taken from The Ten
Commandments by Arthur W. Pink
(BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1994 GRAND RAPIDS, MI)
In this blog series I will work through this very
important article a paragraph at a time – asking my reader comprehension style
questions at the end. I have been much convicted by the writings of Pink and I
pray your walk will also be strengthened meditating on his teaching of
scripture …
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT PART V
Although the sin of "adultery" is alone
specifically mentioned in this precept, the rules by which these Commandments
are to be interpreted (see earlier chapters) oblige us to understand that all
other kinds of uncleanness are prohibited under that of this one gross sin.
Everything that defiles the body is here forbidden; adultery is expressly
mentioned because all other moral pollutions tend thereto. By the wickedness of
that which all men know to be wrong, we are exhorted to abominate every
unlawful passion. As all manner of chastity in our thoughts, speeches, and
actions is enjoined by the perfect rule of God, so whatever is in the least
contrary and prejudicial to spotless chastity and modesty is here prohibited.
Every other sexual union save that of marriage is accursed in God's sight.
This commandment forbids all degrees or approaches to the
sin prohibited, as looking in order to lust. Its force is, Thou shalt in no way
injure thy neighbor's chastity or tempt to uncleanness. It requires that we
abstain from immodest apparel, indelicate speech, intemperance in food and
drink which excites the passions, and everything that has any tendency to
induce unchastity in ourselves or others. Let young people especially fix it in
mind that all unclean conduct before marriage on the part of man or woman is a
wrong done against the marriage to be. Though this commandment is expressed in
the form of a negative prohibition, yet positively it enjoins all the opposite duties,
such as cleanliness of the body, filling the mind with holy objects, setting
our affection on things above, and spending our time in profitable occupations.
1) What things can a person do to defile their body other
than sexual activity outside the marriage?
2) How is premarital sex as much adultery committed against
God and your spouse as extra-marital sex? What affects from premarital sex can
come back to haunt and destroy a marriage long ofter its comission (think in
medical and progeny terms)?
3) Once a person has had more than one sexual partner they
have established a baseline for comparing the performance of all other partners
and thus are more likely to commit the
sin again or grow weary of their current partner. If you, like myself, have had
multiple partners and are now happily married, how much would you give to never
have had any other than your beloved?
4) Pray through the last sentence’s positive “enjoinings”.
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