It was a warm summer evening when Amelia stepped out onto the patio, glass of grape juice in hand. The kids were asleep and her husband Paul was working late again at the office.
As she gazed up at the star-filled sky, her mind wandered down a path it knew it shouldn’t travel.
Memories of her passionate affair with coworker Mark came flooding back. The thrill of secrecy, the excitement of the forbidden.
It had started innocently enough with lingering glances and flirtatious banter. But it quickly escalated into a full-blown affair that consumed her every waking thought.
At first, she was able to neatly compartmentalize it, keeping her home life separate. But slowly, guilt and shame began seeping in like black mold spreading through the walls.
Her once joyful marriage became tainted with lies and emotional distance.
The Bible she had been raised on condemned adultery in the harshest of terms.
“If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.”
Leviticus 20:10 (NIV)
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She knew she was violating her sacred covenant before God. Yet the alluring whispers of temptation overpowered her conscience.
Little did she know, the ripples of her infidelity were expanding far beyond what she could see. The spiritual implications were profound, putting a darkness over her life that permeated every aspect.
While the act itself was done in secret, its wake would traumatize her family and potentially invite God’s judgment.
As Amelia looked down at her wedding ring, its shine seemed dimmer than before. She could deny it no longer – she was trapped in the enemy’s scheme of deception.
Her soul hungered for redemption, but would forgiveness be possible after such a violation of trust?
What is Adultery According to the Bible?
Adultery is defined as voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone else who is not their spouse.
It is a grievous sin in God’s eyes, violating the holy covenant of marriage.
The seventh of the Ten Commandments states plainly:
“You shall not commit adultery.”
Exodus 20:14 (NIV)
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This commandment is repeated multiple times throughout the Old and New Testament. Adultery breaks the vows made before God to be faithful to one’s spouse.
Spiritual Consequences of Adultery
Committing adultery damages one’s relationship with God. It strains the intimacy one can have in their walk with the Lord.
King David‘s adultery with Bathsheba led to estrangement from God that was only healed through deep repentance.
Adultery is one of the sins that can keep you from inheriting the kingdom of God:
“9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality 10 …will inherit the kingdom of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (ESV)
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Unless the adulterer sincerely repents, their position before God is compromised through their sin. It brings spiritual separation that disrupts communion with the Holy Spirit.
Shame and Dishonor
The shame and dishonor that come from adultery have far-reaching implications.
Children and grandchildren will have to bear the burden of knowing their parent or grandparent was an adulterer. It ruins reputations and casts a shadow over entire generations.
Samuel confronted David after his adultery saying:
“9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife… 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.”
2 Samuel 12:9-10 (ESV)
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David experienced the consequences of his adultery until the day he died, including losing his child with Bathsheba.
Potential for Violence
The jealous rage that can flare up when adultery is discovered has led to violence and murder throughout history.
Proverbs 6:34-35 (NIV) warns:
“34 For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. 35 He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.”
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Adultery destroys trust and provokes the darkest parts of human nature. The results have been deadly on countless occasions.
Punishment for Adultery
In addition to the earthly consequences, God directly punishes those who commit adultery. In the Old Testament, both participants were put to death:
“If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.”
Leviticus 20:10 (NIV)
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Though we are now under the grace of Christ, God still disciplines those He loves if they are living in unrepentant sin:
“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Hebrews 12:6 (ESV)
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He allows suffering and consequences on earth in the hope that the adulterer will repent and be reconciled to Him.
Addiction and Entanglement
Adulterous relationships are emotionally and physically ensnaring. The intimacy and escape felt from marital woes or mundane routines can become addictive.
It is extremely difficult for both parties to simply walk away once the relationship has progressed.
That is why Job said:
“7 If I have strayed from his pathway,
or if my heart has lusted for what my eyes have seen,
or if I am guilty of any other sin,
8 then let someone else eat the crops I have planted.
Let all that I have planted be uprooted.”Job 31:7-8 (NLT)
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Once physical intimacy has occurred, the soul ties and entanglement only deepen. Ending adultery takes a huge spiritual effort and community support.
Damage to Family
The devastation that adultery brings is not limited to the married couple. Children and close family members also experience trauma when infidelity comes to light.
The broken trust can cause irreparable damage and end up in divorce. Proverbs 6:32-33 (NLT) says:
“32 But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself. 33 He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased.”
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The bitter wounds left by adultery rip families apart. The innocence of children is lost, and the closeness of family is betrayed. The generational impact cannot be understated.
How Can Adultery Be Prevented?
In the New Testament, Jesus takes the Old Testament laws concerning adultery even further. He emphasizes that adultery begins with lust in the heart:
“27 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Matthew 5:27-28 (NIV)
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Therefore, preventing adultery begins with guarding your heart. Do not allow flirtatious friendships or sexual fantasies to develop in your mind. Flee from temptation and saturate yourself in God’s Word.
For those who are married, proactively nurture intimacy and romance with your spouse.
Make it a priority to meet the emotional and physical needs of your spouse so that they have no room for temptation.
Marriage takes constant effort and self-sacrifice – recognize that and keep your heart turned towards your partner.
Adultery only destroys, while building up marriage leads to lifelong fruitfulness.
Conclusion
The Bible could not be more clear on its opposition to adultery. Adultery violates the holy union of marriage and brings spiritual darkness into a person’s life.
The consequences of adultery spread into family lines and can last for generations.
But as Christians, we know God readily forgives anyone who come to Him in genuine repentance. Just as with King David, God can redeem the adulterer and restore joy once again.
If you have committed adultery, humble yourself and allow the purifying blood of Jesus to make you new.
And if you have stayed faithful, renew your vows daily and embrace the blessing of marital love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are some Bible verses about adultery?
- Exodus 20:14 – “You shall not commit adultery.”
- Leviticus 20:10 – “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.”
- Proverbs 6:32 – “But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.”
- Matthew 5:27-28 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Q. What was the Old Testament punishment for adultery?
A. In the Old Testament, the punishment for adultery was death for both the adulterer and the adulteress.
“If a man is found lying with the wife of another man, both of them shall die, the man who lay with the woman, and the woman. So you shall purge the evil from Israel.”
Deuteronomy 22:22 (ESV)
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Q. What does the Bible say about divorce due to adultery?
A. Jesus said, “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9).
Adultery is thus considered Biblical grounds for divorce.
Q. Is all sexual immorality considered adultery?
A. No, sexual activity between two unmarried people is fornication, not adultery. Adultery specifically refers to the sexual violation of the marriage covenant.
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)
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Q. How can an adulterous marriage be restored?
A. Through sincere repentance, change of heart, open communication, rebuilding trust, accountability, and God’s grace, a marriage damaged by adultery can be restored.
With time and effort, intimacy can be renewed and the relationship made whole again.
