Becker Bible Teacher Resources

It is a sin to fail to support the strengthening of defenses, negotiation of truces, formation of coalitions, imposition of sanctions and the invocation of God for the avoidance of war. (Sixth Commandment Violation, Exodus 20:13)

Failure to maintain the legitimate defense by military forces by neglecting evaluation of damage potential of the aggressor to be serious, lasting, and certain, failing to make all other practical efforts to avoid military force, failing to expect success, produces more evil than the evil that is to be eliminated. Moral law including respectful and humane treatment to non-combatants, wounded soldiers, and prisoners must be assured; this is imperative if this sin is to be avoided. (Sixth Commandment Violation, Exodus 20:13)

The accumulation of arms does not eliminate the cause of war, and tends to aggravate toward conflict. Christian leadership should not be gathering weapons to prepare for trouble; rather, they should be following the teachings of Christ and leading His people through difficult times with God, rather than weapons, as their focus.(Sixth Commandment Violation, Exodus 20:13)

The producers and sellers of munitions and weapons have a moral responsibility for the use of arms delivered by them. Since the users of weapons are out of their control, participation in arms manufacturing or selling should be avoided. (Sixth Commandment Violation, Exodus 20:13)

Lust is the disordered desire for perverse sexual activities or inordinate stress upon the enjoyment of sexual pleasure. It is an important tool of Satan that is used to tempt, confuse, and remove humans from seeking the presence of God. If sex is not for procreation, unification of partners, or therapeutic purposes to calm human despair without the nature of lustful expression, then it is a sin. (Seventh Commandment Violation, Exodus 20:14)

Sexual abuse is the inappropriate sexual intercourse against a person unable to prevent it. Child sexual abuse, often connected to incest, is any sexual abuse perpetrated by adults on children or adolescents entrusted to their care. The offense is compounded by the scandalous harm done to the moral, physical, and spiritual being of the young, who will remain scarred by it all of their lives. Sexual abuse is directed by Satan against the children he suspects might one day be strong Christians that accomplish the Lord's work. This sinful, immoral, vulgar attack of sexual child abuse attempts to destroy youthful innocence through the damage of the deepest parts of their hearts, minds, and souls. (Seventh Commandment Violation, Exodus 20:14)

If masturbation is used to fulfill fantasy or lust, it is immoral and a sin.  It can further lead to a more serious condition such as placing pornographic images of lust in one's heart and mind, leading to a loss of intimate relationship with God.  If masturbation is used to calm sexual urges, or therapeutic purposes for relief of anxiety or pain, it is not a sin;  However, one should try prayer for the relief of these symptoms first. It is a grave sin to replace dependence upon God with masturbation. (Seventh Commandment Violation, Exodus 20:14)

Carnal union (sexual relationship) between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman. (Seventh Commandment Violation, Exodus 20:14)

A serious problem of modern day technology, participation in or viewing of pornography is a serious offense. It destroys marriages, personalities, hearts, minds, and souls and moves people further away from an intimate relationship with the Lord. (Seventh Commandment Violation, Exodus 20:14)

The practice of prostitution for the pleasure of sex or pleasure of money is a sin and should bring shame to the sinful participants. However, the practice of prostitution undertaken by a mother to raise out of destitution and provide children food and shelter in difficult times, for instance, is not as serious a sin. It is a matter of intentions with the presence of lust a critical measure of the degree of sin. It cannot be denied that society suffers for its presence. But, prostitution provides a valuable, therapeutic role for those in society unable to express themselves sexually because of disability, rejection, or challenged by a myriad of difficulties; though it remains a sin, Christ's judgment will surely consider these needs and weigh it all in fair balance. One fact seems certain; the prostitute and the customer share equally in the sin of prostitution. (Seventh Commandment Violation, Exodus 20:14)