First and Sixth Commandment: True Motivation

I recently listened to a talk from a traditional Catholic priest on exorcism and possession. Of course he spoke about cases that he had dealt with including screaming children, possessed individuals, cases of obsession etc. all of which appeals to our morbid curiosity. It was however a comment he made when speaking about the sixth commandment [Thou shalt not commit adultery] which caught my attention and has stayed with me and given me much to reflect on in prayer.

He got on to the topic by stating that almost inevitably those who lose their faith or are simply far from God are almost inevitably involved in some activity (either personal or with others) that breaks the sixth commandments. He then said how to truly fulfil the commandment not to commit adultery, and this is the interesting part, one mustn't simply stop breaking the sixth commandment but must first stop breaking the first commandment [You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind].

It is impossible to live a pure life without God's grace and it is through placing God first that we break all ties with other sins and begin to "put on the New Man" that St. Paul speaks about in the fourth chapter of his letter to the Ephesians.

Also of note he also said that nowadays many people turn from sins against the sixth commandment (although it applies to all sins) not because they truly love God above all things - first commandment - but simply because they are sick and tired of the consequences of a particular sin.

Food for thought with regards to our motivations.