October 13 – LD 41, Day 6: Maintaining Chastity
by Pastor Steven Key
Matthew 5:27,28: “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old
time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto
you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after
her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Because we are bombarded
by various attacks upon the holy institution of marriage, and because the
temptations are fierce, God gave us the seventh commandment, calling us to the
pathway of righteousness and thankfulness to Him. The Heidelberg Catechism
says, “since both our body and soul are temples of the Holy Spirit, He commands
us to preserve them pure and holy; therefore He forbids all unchaste actions,
gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and whatever can entire men thereto.”
The sin of adultery
reaches deeply into our sinful flesh, even into our thoughts and desires. That
is why all unchaste actions, as well as whatever can entice men to such sinful
thoughts and desires, are forbidden us. That is also why Scripture exhorts us
to modesty in the way we dress as well as in our speech. For the purity of holy
marriage and the sanctity of the Christian life, we may not entice others to
sinful thoughts.
Let our youth understand
that for this same reason, the modern dance is not fitting for the Christian.
Modern dance is usually set to music that by its beat and lyrics,
is also conducive to lustful thoughts and movements of the body — as a study of
music history will reveal. While some will point to the fact that dancing is
spoken of in Scripture without condemnation, we ought to remember that such
dancing, or literally “leaping for joy,” without the mingling of men with
women, is something entirely different from the artificial movements set to
today’s music, as the dance now takes place between men and women and often in
close contact with each other. Even where some may be unaffected by such
activity and contact, most will find unchaste thoughts and desires being
incited by these unchaste actions and gestures.
Let us also guard against
all vulgar talk about sex. To take that which God has sanctified as a precious
gift belonging to holy marriage, and make it filthy, is to profane the sanctity
of marriage. Let us hear the command of Scripture, “Flee fornication” (1
Cor 6:18).