Your Spiritual Check-Up Using the 10 CommandmentsSample

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Exodus 20:2, ESV)

“You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14, ESV)

Not commit adultery (see the words of Jesus in Matthew 5.27-30) – Are my eyes pure and am I not treating others as objects to fulfill my desires?

Sexual freedom and promiscuity are the accepted standards in Western culture in the times we live. It comes from a core belief that my body is my own and I can do with it whatever I want; no one should have the right to tell me what to do with my body. This is not a Biblical view of our bodies or of sexuality. Judaism and Christianity have always had a higher view of personhood and sexuality than other religions and cultures.

Jesus weighs into the simple command of not having sex with someone who is not your wife (OT culture). In our contemporary culture this can be expanded to both men and women, meaning not having sex with someone who isn’t our spouse. Like the command against murder, Jesus looks at the heart and says if the heart is already there, then the sin has taken root.

What we see and hear shapes the heart. Therefore if you want to guard your heart, you have to guard what you look at and what you listen to. Purity of body starts with purity of eyes and mind.

Questions to Consider

- Are you being intentional about guarding what you look at and what you listen to?

- Are you being honest with another about the state of your thought-life so they can support you and pray for you?

Actions to Take

- The best defense is a strong offense. Focus on intentionally putting positive, things of God into your life so there isn’t room for things that aren’t of God.

- Pre-decide what you will do when you find yourself in a situation that will tempt you.

Prayer to Make

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of sight and sound. Help me to use your gifts in ways that honor you and honor others. Help me to see others as you see them and treat others as you would treat them. Father, lead me not into temptation and please deliver me from evil. Amen.