The Sixth and The Ninth Commandments You Shall

The Sixth and The Ninth Commandments You Shall Not Commit Adultery You Shall Not Covet Your Neighbor’s Wife

The Sixth Commandment “You shall not commit adultery. ” This commandment addresses the issue on how we should properly express the gift of human sexuality. This commandment guides us to respect our own relationship as well as that of other people. Related to the Ninth Commandment Sins to be avoided: sexual sins outside the bounds of matrimony Virtues to acquire: marital fidelity, chastity

The Sixth Commandment “You shall not commit adultery. ” Applies to all: single, married, widowed, religious, gay or straight. The Catholic Church is not anti-sex Adultery includes also thoughts and not just actions (Mt 5: 27 -28) Sexuality vs. Sexual Activity

The Sixth Commandment “You shall not commit adultery. ” WHY IS CHASTITY SO IMPORTANT? It is the “successful integration of sexuality within the person and thus the inner unity of man in his bodily and spiritual being. ” (CCC 2337) It involves the “apprenticeship in selfmastery” (2338) of our human freedom (as opposed to slavery to the passions. Involves the virtue of temperance It means living a life of integrity and unity.

The Sixth Commandment “You shall not commit adultery. ” SEX & THE MARITAL BOND The Church teaches that sexual activity may only occur within marriage. In the marriage between couples, the bond between unitive (love between spouses) and procreative (having and raising children) aspects may not be separated. (CCC 2352, 2360, 2363)

The Sixth Commandment “You shall not commit adultery. ” AND THE OFFENSES ARE: Lust Masturbation Fornication Pornography Prostitution Rape Homosexual Acts Sodomy Birth Control *Divorce/Remarriage* Artificial Insemination In Vitro Fertilization “Free Union” (AKA living together) And, of course, Adultery

The Ninth Commandment “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. ” n “…or husband. ” n This commandment urges us to cultivate the virtue of purity and chastity. It opposes the sin of lust. Related to the Sixth Commandment in that both commandments involve the sin of adultery Whereas the Sixth Commandment involves the sinful activity, the Ninth Commandment involves sinful thoughts and desires. Sins to avoid: lust, impure thoughts Virtue to acquire: purity, chastity, modesty n n

The Ninth Commandment “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. ” n n Lust is a two-way street: someone else’s husband, wife, daughter, brother Again, Mt 5: 28 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ” (Mt 5: 8) ‘Pure in heart’ refers to those who have attuned their intellects and wills to the demands of God’s holiness in the areas of charity, chastity, and love of truth. Chastity refers to purity in heart, mind, and imagination. (CCC 2418) Those who are “pure in heart” strive to attain holiness by being pure in mind and body. By such achievement, looks to every person as a divine reflection of beauty. (CCC 2518 -20)

The Ninth Commandment “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. ” About Modesty n Modesty is 1) the quality or virtue of observing proprieties in speech, dress, and behavior 2) “an integral part of temperance…It protects the intimate center of the person. ” (CCC 2521) 3) part of being pure of heart. (CCC 2533)

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