February 19, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: Sixth Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 1:20-2:3; Mark 1:14-28

“You shall not commit adultery. What does this mean?” (Sixth Commandment, Luther’s Small Catechism)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I have been a Lutheran for almost my whole life. I was baptized when I was just a couple of months old. I like to think of myself as a first-generation Lutheran because my mom and her whole family were Catholic until my brother and I were baptized in the Lutheran Church. What I have found in these 40+ years of being a Lutheran is that while Luther is great, he doesn’t compare to Christ. While Luther in his catechism uses the phrase “what does this mean?”, we’ve seen it before in God’s Word (Exodus 13:14, Acts 2:12).

God’s Word gives us this Sixth Commandment: You shall not commit adultery.

We then insert, “What does this mean?” to which we hear: “We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other.”

I’m going to be honest. Not my favorite commandment. I’d love to skip over this one. But I won’t. I shouldn’t. After all, it’s one of God’s Ten Commandments, right? I mean, two days ago we were talking about love and marriage, and now we get to talk about… lust. Well, lust is one part of this commandment, since God tells us, “everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). I have done this too many times to count. Probably more often prior to being married, but even in marriage, the temptation is there. To desire something, someone, whom I have not made vows or promises to. Even though I cannot count the number of times I’ve broken the Sixth Commandment, every time God has brought me to repentance for these sins, He has forgiven me. More times than I can count. More times than I deserve.

And then, by God’s grace, I try to lead a life that is pleasing in His sight, not breaking the Sixth Commandment. I cannot do this on my own. I cannot love my wife sacrificially, unconditionally, honoring her with my own strength, without first knowing God’s sacrificial, unconditional love for me. Thanks be to God that I can clearly see that in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

I don’t know what God has in store for you and your life, but my prayer is that He would help you lead a sexually pure and decent life in your singleness, and in your married life if the blessing of a spouse is given to you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Spirit of the Father, breathe on them from above, so searching in Your pureness, so tender in Your love that, guarded by Your presence, and kept from strife and sin, their hearts may heed Your guidance, and know You dwell within (LSB 858:3)

Rev. Glenn Worcester, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

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