Basic Catholic Q and A's

The numbers in parenthese that follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

1. What is the ninth commandment of God?
2. What did Jesus say about the ninth commandment?
3. What is covetousness?
4. What does the ninth commandment require of us?
5. What does the ninth commandment forbid?
6. What is purity of heart?
7. How can one grow in purity of heart?
8. What is modesty?
9. Are all unchaste temptations sinful?

1. What is the ninth commandment of God?
The ninth commandment of God is:

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife (Ex 20:17).

2. What did Jesus say about the ninth commandment?
Jesus said:

I say to you that anyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Mt 5:28).

3. What is covetousness?
In theology, covetousness, or concupiscence, refers to intense desires in which our feelings are stronger than our reason. This disorder, stemming from original sin, creates a constant tension or pull between the flesh and the spirit. (2514-2516)

But I tell you, walk according to the Spirit, and do not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh's desires are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit is opposed to the flesh (Gal 5:16-17).

4. What does the ninth commandment require of us?
The ninth commandment requires us to be pure in thoughts and desires. This calls for practice of the virtue of temperance. (2517)

But the things that come from the mouth come from the heart, and those are the things that make you unclean. For from the heart come wicked thoughts... (Mt 15:18-19).

5. What does the ninth commandment forbid?
The ninth commandment forbids impure thoughts, sought or entertained with pleasure, impure imaginings voluntarily excited or not rejected, and evil desires.

6. What is purity of heart?
The sixth beatitude says, "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." Those who practice this beatitude keep their mind and will focused on the love of God in their hearts. They already see God in all persons and situations and try to make God seen in their lives. (2518-2519)

Beloved, we are now God's children, but it is not yet clear what we will be. We know that when [Jesus] appears we will be like him, because we will see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure (1 Jn 3:2-3).

7. How can one grow in purity of heart?
The virtue of chastity helps us to love others sincerely, respecting them as persons. Purity of intention guides us to seek God's will in everything. Prayer, especially the sacraments of Penance and Eucharist, along with a devotion to the Blessed Virgin, gives us the strength to grow in this virtue. It also requires self-discipline and good judgment in avoiding whatever might be a source of temptation. Appreciation for the gift of sexuality leads us to use it only in the way God intended. (2520-2521)

May God fill you with the knowledge of his will through wisdom and all manner of spiritual understanding that you may conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Lord and fully pleasing to him... (Col 1:9-10).

8. What is modesty?
Modesty is a virtue which inclines us to guard our senses so as to avoid possible temptations. It also helps us to refrain from whatever might incite others to sin, and to be proper in dress and behavior. It is the temperate guardian of our chastity. (2521-2524)

9. Are all unchaste temptations sinful?
Temptations against the sixth and ninth commandments are not sinful in themselves, but they should not be deliberately stirred up. They only become sinful when unchaste thoughts, desires or passions are deliberately aroused and willingly consented to or indulged in.

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