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Heidelberg Catechism (Heidelbergse Catechismus)/Book 1 · Heidelberger Katechismus
Chapter 41HeidCatech.1.41

Der dritte Teil: Von der Dankbarkeit — 41. Sonntag

The Call to Purity

The seventh commandment calls believers to reject immorality and live with heart-felt purity and responsibility.

What does God want in the seventh commandment? God condemns all forms of immorality. Therefore, we should be truly hostile to it in our hearts, living with consideration and responsibility, whether in marriage or outside of it.

Temples of the Holy Spirit

Because our bodies and souls are temples of the Holy Spirit, God requires purity in every thought, word, and action.

Does God only forbid adultery in this commandment? No. Because both our body and soul are temples of the Holy Spirit, God wants us to keep both pure and holy. Therefore, He prohibits all unrestrained actions, gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and anything that could tempt people.

Read the original Latin

Was will Gott im siebenten Gebot? Gott verurteilt alle Zügellosigkeit. Darum sollen wir ihr von Herzen feind sein, rücksichtsvoll und verantwortungsbewusst leben, sei es nun in der Ehe oder außerhalb derselben.

Verbietet Gott in diesem Gebot allein den Ehebruch? Nein. Weil beide, unser Leib und unsere Seele, Tempel des Heiligen Geistes sind, darum will Gott, dass wir beide rein und heilig bewahren. Er verbietet deshalb alle zügellosen Taten, Gebärden, Worte, Gedanken, Begierden und alles, was den Menschen dazu reizen kann.

Heidelberg Catechism (Heidelbergse Catechismus) companion

Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat

Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.

Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.

  • A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
  • One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
  • Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit
Chosen Portion — Daily Prayer (free iOS app)