1. What is the Sixth Commandment?
The Sixth Commandment is: Thou shalt not commit adultery.
2. What is forbidden by the Sixth Commandment?
All sins of sex are forbidden by the Sixth Commandment. These sins are called sins of impurity, or impure sins.
3. Who are the only ones who may use sex at all?
The only ones who may use sex at all are husband and wife who are validly married. ALL USE OF SEX OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE IS A MORTAL SIN.
4. What are the sins against the Sixth Commandment?
Any action intended to arouse the sexual passion is a mortal sin.
| adultery | birth control |
| fornication | impure touches |
| self-abuse or masturbation | petting |
| indecent dressing | looking at impure pictures |
| necking | looking at impure dances |
| impure kisses | looking at impure floor shows |
| impure dancing | looking at impure movies |
| impure talk | reading impure books or magazines |
| sins against nature |
5. What is adultery?
Adultery is sexual intercourse which a married person has with someone to whom he (or she) is not married. “God will judge adulterers” (Hebrew 13:4).
6. What is fornication?
Fornication is sexual intercourse between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman.
“Do not err: neither fornicators … nor adulterers . . . shall possess the kingdom of God” (1st Corinthians 6:9, 10).
7. What is the sin of self-abuse?
The sin of self-abuse, or masturbation, is enjoying the sexual pleasure alone.
“If you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live” (Romans 8:13).
8. What are sins against nature?
Sins against nature are perversions committed with another person of the same sex or of the opposite sex, or with animals.
“Do not err: neither … the effeminate, nor liers with mankind . . . shall possess the kingdom of heaven” (1st Corinthians 6, 9, 10).
9. What kind of kisses are forbidden by the Sixth Commandment?
The Sixth Commandment forbids kisses which arouse the sexual passion.
“For the flesh lusteth against the spirit: and the spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary one to another … and they that are Christ’s, have crucified their flesh, with the vices and concupiscences” (Galatians 5:17, 24).
10. What is the Ninth Commandment?
The Ninth Commandment is: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
11. What is forbidden by the Ninth Commandment?
The Ninth Commandment forbids all impure thoughts and desires.
“I say to you that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).
12. When do I become guilty of impure thoughts?
I become guilty of impure thoughts when I knowingly and willingly keep such thoughts in my mind.
“Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 15:26).
13. Is it possible to lead a pure life?
Yes, it is possible to lead a pure life with God’s help
1) if I stay away from all persons, places or things which easily lead me into sin,
2) if I pray often, and go to Confession and receive Holy Communion regularly.
“Watch ye and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh weak” (Matthew 26:41).
3) if I practice giving up things which I like, or doing things which I don’t like.
“And every one that striveth for the mastery, refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible one. (1st Corinthians 9:25).
4) if I keep busy.