Deuteronomy 5:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Virginity is unique to those who embrace it, and the zealous for virginity, to the extent possible, reflects their purity; ultimately, they are compared to the Father, who was born of a virgin before all ages, who manifested in the flesh from the Virgin Mother in later times, and who undeniably comes from the Father, not by birth, but by emanation to the Spirit.

To this God, one who attains true virginity, being pure in spirit and body, and who adorns his thoughts, words, and actions with the virtues of purity, is associated and united with Him in sacred union. If you do not pursue virginity and do not vow it to God, according to the law, you are permitted to have one wife in the Lord (Gen. 2:24; Mt. 19:5; Eph. 5:32-33; 1 Pet. 3:7, and others), to dwell solely with her and possess her as a sacred vessel. However, you must avoid another man’s wife with all diligence. Complete abstention is possible if you shun inappropriate encounters, ignore seductive talk and temptations, turn away your eyes and heart from them as much as you can, and refrain from being drawn to the allure of physical beauty. For “whoever looks at a woman, to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Thus, if one gazes lustfully, he remains unclean before Christ, who sees the heart, and in his misery, becomes susceptible to physical adultery. What then can be said about adultery, fornication, and other sinful acts? An unguarded glance at physical beauty can lead to gross immorality. Therefore, you must uproot these dangerous tendencies so that they do not produce harmful fruit but instead yield the fruit of chastity and holiness, “which without these no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

Additionally, it encompasses immodest gazes, nakedness in women’s attire, inappropriate dress, suggestive language, disgraceful jokes, immoral songs and performances, romantic literature, frivolous comedies and operas, perusing love letters, images and illustrations showcasing nudity or indecency, excessive revelry, provocative costumes, dances, entertainments, games, hedonistic pursuits, and a lifestyle characterized by indulgence, idleness, sensuality, and pampering.

12:36). - Finally, brethren, whatsoever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, think on these things (Phil. 4:8).

b) Fornication: Fornication and all impurity or covetousness should not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints (Eph. 5:3-5). - Let us behave appropriately as in the daytime, not in carousing or drunkenness, not in sexual immorality or debauchery, not in quarreling and jealousy; rather, let us put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires (Rom. 13:13-14). - For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Cor. 6:20). - For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness (1 Thess. 4:7). - Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person, for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17). - Understand that no immoral person, unclean person, or greedy person (which is idolatry) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God (Eph. 5:5).

c) Adultery: The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy (Gal. 5:19-21). - But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matt. 5:28).

d) Incest: The Apostle Paul wrote that the one who does such things should be removed from your midst (1 Cor. 5:2).

Ways to Preserve Chastity: a) Work: Idleness has taught many wrong things, as noted by the wise Sirach (Sirach 33:28). b) Sobriety: Do not be drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery; instead, be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). c) Moderation in food and drink: Take care not to let your hearts be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the cares of this life, which could come upon you unexpectedly (Luke 21:34). - Let us behave properly, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in quarreling and jealousy; rather, let us put on the Lord Jesus Christ and not make provision for the flesh (Rom. 13:13-14). d) Avoidance of evil companions and temptation: My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent (Proverbs 1:10). - Flee youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:22). - If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell (Matt. 5:29-30). e) Live by the Spirit and not by the flesh; live for God and the salvation of your soul, not for the world (Gal. 5:16). f) Crucify your flesh with its passions and desires; those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:24). g) Awareness of God’s omnipresence: Joseph told Potiphar's wife, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9). - Remember, my son, your Creator in the days of your youth and do not forsake His commandments (Tobit 4:5).

c) Prayer for strength: O Lord, Father and God of my life, do not abandon me to my desires and take away lust from me; do not give me over to a shameless heart (Sirach 23:4-6).

2. Understanding the Seventh Commandment of God's Law

a) The sins prohibited by the seventh commandment include illicit love, specifically carnal love that leads to unlawful relations between the sexes, without the blessing of God and the Church. This passionate love is forbidden by the Lord and differs from pure, virtuous love, which is the source of true happiness. The commandment clearly states: "Do not commit adultery," signifying that we must not corrupt lawful love into illicit relationships, such as fornication. Sadly, due to the corruption of human nature, this sin is still prevalent among some Christians, offending God and violating sacred church teachings, bringing disgrace upon themselves, and jeopardizing their present and eternal state. Those who transgress this commandment face humiliation, judgment, and a lack of inheritance in the kingdom of God. Let it be remembered that God has called us not to impurity, but to holiness (1 Thess. 4:7). This is the will of God, our sanctification: to abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thess. 3:4-5). For those already united in holy matrimony, the gravity of infidelity is severe, as the sin of adultery ruptures the sacred bond, invokes distrust, and tarnishes the honor of all involved. The Church acknowledges these actions as betrayal, depriving such individuals of their participation in Christ's holy mysteries. God's judgment awaits those engaged in fornication or adultery (Heb. 13:4), as stated by the Apostle, and further affirmed: "Do not be deceived: neither fornicators nor adulterers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9, 10).

b) The seriousness of immoral behavior: "Flee from sexual immorality," instructs the Apostle (1 Cor. 6:18). The sin of immorality is so grievous that it brings God's eternal condemnation to those who embrace such ways (1 Cor. 6:19; Rev. 21:8). Those who distort God’s grace into sinful gain reject Christ and thus prepare for their eternal ruin. St. John Chrysostom admonished those entangled in adultery, questioning how they could approach God in prayer while clinging to their shameful acts. He warned of the dire consequences awaiting the unrepentant. "He who engages with prostitutes will find misfortune" (Proverbs 29:5); "the drunkard and the fornicator will fall into poverty" (Proverbs 23:21), as Scripture teaches. The consequences of such sins extend not only to health and well-being but affect future generations. Ultimately, a man may reflect sorrowfully on the loss of vitality and kindness that once characterized his life, tormented by guilt and propelled by a destructive passion.

c) Strategies to resist violations of the seventh commandment: To conquer these earthly desires, one must actively avoid whatever stirs such fleshly impulses. Some practical steps include: 1) Shunning conversations that promote fornication; 2) Avoiding indecent gatherings; 3) Steering clear of relationships with immoral individuals; 4) Abstaining from drunkenness; 5) Refraining from reading or engaging with material that incites passions; 6) Striving to eliminate all provocations to lust. In essence, we must distance ourselves from any temptation. As the Savior teaches, "If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out" (Matt. 5:29), emphasizing that even the dearest temptation must be avoided to preserve one’s soul. If a friendship leads one to sin, it is better to part ways, no matter how painful. Let us be vigilant and turn to Jesus, who suffered for us, seeking strength through prayer and meditation on His sufferings. The saints offer inspiration in their struggle against temptation. For instance, St. John the Long-Suffering endured severe fasting and rigorous penance for years until the Lord granted him victory over his trials, illustrating the profound commitment needed to conquer the desires of the flesh. Let us be resolute in our efforts against temptation.