Exodus 20:14 “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
The command “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” is needed more than ever to be proclaimed everywhere in America – over and over. Not only from the pulpits of our land, but also in the educational institutions, political institutions, and across the Internet and TV. It cannot be proclaimed loud enough or often enough.
Our nation has largely fallen into this sin – yes – that is what God calls it. He has not changed His standards and never will. He has judged and even destroyed nations for this sin – and for similar ones (fornication, etc.).
Things such as the availability of pornography, scantily dressed women on computer games (and in real life), make it overly easy to think about sex with someone other than your spouse. With men and women becoming obese, thinner models can become more attractive – all too often resulting in adultery and divorce. TV programs often portray divorced people as having fun, affairs are common on TV and in the movies, and extra-marital sex is seen as being normal. Traditional marriage is looked down upon.
Jesus words in Matthew 5:28 still apply today: “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Tolerating adulterous thoughts in your mind often leads to the act eventually. Men are not the only ones with this problem.
The seventh commandment also has a spiritual application. Spiritual adultery occurs when someone becomes more infatuated with the world, or some activity, or money, etc., more than God. Many people have left the church because of spiritual adultery. Their hearts have grown cold towards God and their love for other things has grown.
Thank God, that if you are guilty of this sin that forgiveness is available, and so is power to overcome it. No one is immune to the possibility, but God can give victory to the watchful and prayerful believer.
God is willing to give victory over those thoughts and actions – but there must be repentance first – turning away from that sin. It means no more toleration of it. Break off that wrong relationship and get right with God. Do it today before sin’s chains bind you even more in sin: “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins” (Proverbs 5:22).