Q71. What does the seventh commandment require?
The seventh commandment requires us to be pure in heart, speech, and behavior—both ourselves and in how we treat others.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
1 Corinthians 7:2–3, 5
“Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. … Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3–5
“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does it mean to be pure in heart, speech, and behavior?
- 2
Why do you think God cares about what goes on inside our hearts, not just what we do on the outside?
- 3
What is one situation at school or with friends where it can be hard to keep your words and thoughts pure?
Illustration
When you pour clean water into a dirty cup, the water comes out dirty. Our words and actions flow from what is inside our hearts. God wants to make our hearts clean so that what comes out of us is good.
Application
Because God is making you clean from the inside out, ask him tonight before bed to guard your thoughts and words tomorrow. When something unkind or impure pops into your mind, you can pray a short prayer right then: "Lord, help me think what is good."