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Begin wherever your curiosity leads. The studies will be here when you’re ready. When I shared my first Matthew study on Facebook today, I mentioned that I planned to post daily, though I might not share every post on Facebook. As I continue setting up this blog, I’ve realized that what matters most to me is making my past studies available for anyone who wants to explore them. For now, I’ll be adding posts to my heart’s content as I work through those studies. Some days that may mean one post; other days it may mean several. I’ll continue reading through and preparing each one before sharing it. There is no need to keep up with everything as it appears. This blog is becoming a place you can browse at your own pace—begin with a book, a question, or a study that interests you, and follow from there. The Bible Books page gathers studies by book, while Study Threads helps connect topics that travel through more than one book. The labels on individual posts also bring related material to...
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88. Ten Commandments: Faithfulness in What We Follow

88. Ten Commandments: Faithfulness in What We Follow

God’s Image Study • Commandment 7: You Shall Not Commit Adultery

Our examination of spiritual unfaithfulness must reach the choices we make. Having considered names, nourishment, and clothing, we now ask: How does our conduct reflect the relationship we claim?

Love and Keeping His Word

Jesus says:

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

— John 14:15, LSB

He connects loving him with keeping his word, then identifies that word’s source: the Father who sent him. Later, Jesus explains that his own obedience demonstrates his love for the Father. Read John 14:23–24, 31.

The relationship remains before us. Jesus follows the Father’s instruction, and those who love Jesus are called to keep the word he brings.

Within this same discussion, Jesus promises the Spirit of truth and describes the Holy Spirit teaching and bringing his words to remembrance. Love, obedience, and the Spirit’s guidance belong together in the account. Read John 14:16–17, 26.

A Claim Must Agree with the Walk

First John 2 examines the claim to know him alongside keeping his commandments. Whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk as he walked.

John then brings that examination directly to how a brother is treated. Claiming to be in the Light while hating one’s brother leaves the person in darkness. Loving the brother belongs to abiding in the Light. Read 1 John 2:3–11.

This keeps our study personal. We must examine our own actions with the same care we bring to another person’s teaching.

Why Does James Say “Adulteresses”?

James addresses quarrels, desires, envy, and requests made with wrong motives. He then says:

“You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity toward God?”

— James 4:4, LSB, excerpt

Here, the language of adultery directly concerns allegiance toward God. The surrounding discussion exposes desires governing conduct and relationships. Read James 4:1–4.

Compare John’s description of worldly desire: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and boastful pride. He distinguishes these from what comes from the Father. Read 1 John 2:15–17.

Draw Near with an Undivided Heart

James calls for submission to God, resistance to the devil, cleansed hands, and purified hearts. His address to the double-minded brings divided allegiance into view. Read James 4:7–8.

We can therefore ask: What am I protecting when instruction challenges me—faithfulness to God, or a desire I do not want to surrender? Does my treatment of others agree with the love I profess?

The examination reaches our motives, our loyalties, and our actions.

Threads to Follow

  • Love and faithfulness: Keep our treatment of others within the examination of allegiance to God.

  • Undivided devotion: Bring the commandment’s passages together as we approach our summary.

  • Babylon: Follow this study with a closer examination of the woman, her influence, and the call to leave her.

The books were opened…

🌿 By Maria Emilia

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