Q72. What does the seventh commandment forbid?
The seventh commandment forbids all impure thoughts, words, and actions.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Matthew 5:28
“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Matthew 15:19
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”
Ephesians 5:3–4
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What kinds of things does the seventh commandment forbid?
- 2
Why does God care about our thoughts, and not just what we say or do?
- 3
When you notice your thoughts going somewhere they should not go, what could you do?
Illustration
A garden left alone will fill up with weeds. Weeds do not need to be planted. They just show up. Our minds can be like that. Wrong thoughts drift in without being invited. The question is what we do with them once they arrive.
Application
Because God gives you his Spirit to help you, you do not have to let wrong thoughts stay. The next time an impure thought comes, ask God to replace it with something good. You might try recalling a Bible verse you have memorized or singing a hymn in your head.