Relationships: Teen Zine vol. 4, Chapter 7: faithful (stay true) —Seventh Commandment
Juliette Alvey
Let’s be honest, the seventh commandment, “You shall not commit adultery,” is the most difficult one to discuss with our kids and teens. It’s tempting to rush past it and say, “You can learn more about this one when you’re older.” However, chapter seven in Relationships: Teen Zine vol. 4 does not brush this command under the rug. At its core, these words from God are about faithfulness and unity, which is something we all long for at any age. Our kids and teens might have more to contribute on this topic than we think!
Think about it, our children’s first intimate relationships are with us, their parents. This is how they build trust and learn to respectfully live with others—even when it’s not easy. This then overflows to their relationships outside of the home:
“Trust, respect, and love in our personal relationships have a way of creating waves of goodness that flow out into the world around us.” (Teen Zine vol. 4,p. 181).
Now before we all start squirming in our seats with the weight of this responsibility, let’s take a step back and acknowledge that none of us has kept the command to love and respect one another perfectly. Jesus raises the bar to an impossible level when he says that anyone who looks at another person has broken the commandment (Matthew 5:27-28). Even our own eyes and minds betray us, and we can never be a perfect example.
Teen Zine vol. 4 assures us:
“God has a vision for us to have the deepest friendships and love that can be experienced in this life. But if failure creeps in, as it often does, don’t give up hope. Remember that God is always declaring his promises to you.”
God promises forgiveness no matter what we have done. So, the example we set for our children is not perfection, but humility and constant need… the need for God’s mercy and for his love to flow down into our relationships with one another.
Our homes don’t always feel like the best starting place for our children to learn about God’s perfect love, but rest assured that through Christ’s sacrificial love and the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s love for us will overflow to those closest to us.
