In stark contrast to true worship of God in spirit and truth, as taught by our Savior Jesus Christ, many in this world indulge in holidays rooted in fleshly practices and lies, particularly through the lustful observances of Saint Valentine's Day. This celebration stands in direct opposition to God's commandments, promoting sexual immorality as a central element. Historically, Valentine's Day traces back to pagan Rome, where the festival of Lupercalia, held in honor of Lupercus, encouraged young people to engage in licentious acts. This sensuous feast, linked to Venus, the goddess of sexual love, and her son Cupid, was a celebration of lust rather than love, with imagery and practices designed to incite sexual passion. The Roman church later attempted to Christianize this pagan festival by renaming it Saint Valentine's Day, yet the core of its fleshly nature persisted. Even as it evolved over centuries, with saints and Christian teachings fading from significance, the day retained its focus on sensual desires through symbols like Cupid and arrowed hearts. The celebration, though less overtly sexual in modern times, remains a popular reflection of base human desires, appealing to the lust of the flesh rather than honoring God. Such practices fall far short of worshipping the Father in the spirit and truth He seeks, revealing a profound moral decay rooted in the prioritization of carnal indulgence over divine principles.

The concept of concupiscence, often understood as strong desire, encompasses more than just sexual longing; it includes all manner of evil desires. As seen in the writings of the apostle Paul, sin produces in us a broad range of wrong desires, not limited to the sexual realm. In his teachings, Paul urges the need to mortify, or put to death, not only the physical acts of sin but also the associated emotions, desires, and motivations that stem from the root of sinfulness, such as covetousness and idolatry. This evil concupiscence represents a step on the path to sin, following an initial covetous inclination, and includes every kind of forbidden craving. The apostle John further defines these ungodly desires as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, summarizing them as the lust of the world, which is fleeting. In contrast, God calls for a transformation, urging a shift from longing for forbidden, carnal, and worldly things to desiring approved, spiritual, godly, and eternal pursuits. Despite the constant temptations of the flesh, God desires to see resistance and overcoming of these desires, achievable by seeking Him always, strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Covetousness, as addressed in the Tenth Commandment, embodies an insatiable desire for worldly gain and is central to the origin of most sin. This commandment, stating you shall not covet your neighbor's house, wife, servants, animals, or anything that belongs to your neighbor, emphasizes man's relationship to man and protects the interests of others across various domains. It is not wrong to desire something, such as a spouse or a house, unless it belongs to another and is not acquired fairly and honestly. However, when desire is uncontrolled, it can lead to breaking any of the Ten Commandments, driving men to extreme acts like murder to obtain what they covet. Covetousness is likened to a spiritual sin, becoming an idol when one lusts after something contrary to God's will. This lust, associated with pride and vanity, fosters a false sense of security in amassed possessions, deceiving individuals into believing calamity will not touch them. Yet, such desires are never satisfied and bring many sorrows. The negative outcomes of covetousness include theft, lying, murder, harmful lusts, and apostasy, ultimately leading to sorrow and death if it dominates a person's mind. God excludes any covetous person from His Kingdom, and it is equally wrong for a minister to harbor such desires, as they must set a proper example. Even the elect struggle with resisting covetousness, but God, through His Spirit, aids in opposing the lusts of the flesh. It is our duty to present ourselves as instruments of righteousness, to hate covetousness, and to be content with what we have. The opposite of coveting is generosity and sharing, and we are to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness, seeking treasures in heaven rather than earthly gains. The spiritual requirement of the Tenth Commandment, like the others, regulates the mind and heart, necessitating that our thoughts be purified and aligned with God's character, achievable only with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The Creator God devotes two of His ten great laws to protecting family relationships, with the seventh commandment, You shall not commit adultery, safeguarding the honor and sanctity of marriage. It is through marriage and family that proper relationships with others and with God are learned, and God does not tolerate its defilement. Within marriage, sex is fully sanctioned by God, but outside of it, such practices cause great harm. This commandment, in principle, covers all forms of illicit sex, including fornication, homosexuality, bestiality, and pedophilia. Adultery, according to the letter of the law, is sexual intercourse outside of marriage, but Christ emphasizes the spirit of the law, stating that even looking at a woman to lust after her constitutes adultery in the heart. This sin so defiles the land and its inhabitants that it must be removed, carrying the penalty of death under the law. No one desires to be found guilty of adultery, as it offends not only the aggrieved spouse but also their home and children, striking at the basis of a decent society. It embodies treachery, violating the trust and confidence placed by spouses and by Almighty God. Violence is a fruit of adultery due to its treachery and self-centeredness, destroying loyalty and submission to authority while teaching disrespect for others. It curses the land, bringing harm to all. The act of fornication and adultery brings severe consequences upon a man, ensnaring him in destruction and shame. God hates divorce, though He allows it in rare circumstances, and marrying a divorced person can be considered adultery under certain conditions. Committing adultery is a sin against God, meriting His judgment, and adulterers cannot inherit the Kingdom of God unless they genuinely repent. However, God will forgive an adulterer who truly repents, granting eternal life, though the harmful effects of sin may still linger, as seen in enduring consequences. Symbolically, adultery expresses unfaithfulness to God, evident in idolatry where God is represented as the husband of His people. Spiritual adultery occurs when reliance is placed on the world and its false teachings rather than on God, contrasting with the chaste and pure Bride of Christ who stands blessed in righteousness.