Deuteronomy 5:18 Neither shall you commit adultery. In the Sixth Commandment God takes under His protection the body and life of man. But a man should also love his wife as himself, etc. (Ephesians 5). Here, then, God takes the married spouse under His protecting care, and honours marriage; and as the enemy of souls calls up some passion which militates against each of these commands, against this he sends the serpent of the lust of the flesh which creeps softly into men's hearts. More, he turns the breaking of this command into a jest — a jest likely to end where the laughter is turned into "weeping and gnashing of teeth." Consider — I. HOW WE MAY RIGHTLY REGARD THE MARRIED ESTATE. 1. Those in our day who desire to overturn the Divine order of things begin by attacking Christian marriage. Their aim is so clearly evidenced that none can mistake it. But there are others, even in the Christian Church, who, knowingly or not, support this outrage by seeking to make marriage an entirely civil contract. God forces His blessings on none; but Christians will not consider this a proper view of marriage. They will regard it as a Divine order (Genesis 2:18), ill which man and wife are bound in Him in love and faithfulness till death shall separate them. 2. Marriage is to be regarded as an holy estate, and blessed. The children of parents who thus think of marriage will rise and call them blessed, whilst men shrink from the adulterers as promise breakers, perjurers, faithless; and if anyone thinks there is not much in an adulterous act, if it be not known, he or she acts like a heathen and despises this Divine order. 3. It sometimes happens that where a time of wickedness in a nation has been followed by a period of punishment it is found that the downward course was begun by a disregard of the honour of marriage, e.g., the Greek and Roman people, and France before the Revolution. Where marriage is no more honoured judgment is near at hand. Then unchastity becomes shameless; the number of children born out of wedlock increases; sin, shame, disorder, etc., prevail, and judgment at last descends (Hebrews 13:4). II. HOW SHALL MEN BEST ARRANGE FOR THE MARRIED STATE? 1. Our forefathers said three things were necessary — to begin well, continue well, end well. How shall we begin well? The proverb says, "Marriages are made in heaven"; and certainly to begin well we must begin with God. What Eliezer of Damascus did for his master's son we must each do ourselves — begin with God. If we do not, then there is little wonder if the proverb comes true, "Marry in haste, repent at leisure." Begin with the wise counsel of Christian parents also. 2. How shall men best continue in this state? Let each love and honour his (or her) partner in life (Ephesians 5:28, 29). In this relationship we need to have wisdom, self-denial, patience, forbearance, submission; but all these are comprehended in love. But each must also honour the other. Where such honour is there will be love — as Christ loved the Church. 3. How shall men end the married state best? When they say, "We shall continue it in God until He shall end it in death." There is a way by which marriage can be dissolved before death — the only way — through adultery. This really disannuls marriage in the very fact; and even if it be hidden, God Himself will take it in hand (Hebrews 13:4). Many an adulteress or adulterer goes abroad with bold forehead and bids defiance to the world. But Scripture simply places them with the godless, thieves, etc., and says such shall not inherit the kingdom of God. III. HOW SHALL MEN BEST PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR ENTRANCE ON THE MARRIED STATE? 1. We must fear and love God, so that we may live virtuously and chastely in word and deed. Remember that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Young men and women should seek to enter this state in an unblemished manhood and womanhood. Avoid unchaste thoughts, words, looks, unchaste songs or jests, etc. The heart and thoughts should be clean. "Blessed are the pure in heart." 2. "There are two things unheard of in the world," said a famous pious man, "unrewarded virtue and unpunished vice." Young men and maidens, flee occasions to vice. "Where wine goes in shame goes out," etc. Avoid evil companionship. "Better alone than in bad company." Opportunity makes thieves; so, too, it makes adulterers. Avoid those whose tongues are unchaste. Often a word is like a spark to powder. "If a worm is at the heart the tree will fall." Do not be ashamed of shamefacedness. "If you blush it is God warning you." "Shame prevents disgrace." Flee from idleness. It is a root of much evil. Guard your youth. Virtue and a good name are a rich dowry to which God will add much interest. (K. H. Caspari.) Parallel Verses KJV: Neither shalt thou commit adultery. |
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