Human beings are incapable of formulating moral laws. We see evidence of this everywhere in the world’s diverse cultures and societies. Actions considered acceptable in one country are condemned in another. Even the generations within a country will often have different opinions about what constitutes good moral behavior. Parents argue with teenagers, teachers with pupils, authorities with the population. Everyone it seems has his or her own opinion about what constitutes good moral behavior.
Regardless of what we think we are capable of deciding, defining, explaining and categorizing... humans are incapable of formulating moral laws. God knows that better than we do!
Because of this fact we must look to God - the one who created us for guidance on what constitutes good moral behavior. Here is what He says, in fact commands, concerning the matter of infidelity as recorded in the Ten Commandments... Exodus 20: 14: “You shalt not commit adultery.”
How serious is God about this command... the following verses project the deadly consequences of disobedience....
Leviticus 20:10: "f a man commits adultery with another man's wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.”
Leviticus 18:20: “do not have sexual relations with your neighbor's wife and defile yourself with her.”
Proverbs 6:32: “But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.”
When does Adultery start?
In Matthew 5, Jesus gave what many believe to be the greatest moral teaching ever—the Sermon on the Mount. In addition to the Beatitudes, one of the topics He took head-on was adultery.
Jesus spoke as if adultery was as much an issue in the 1st century as it is in the 21st century. Instead of confusing His followers with hard-to-interpret rules of conduct or various “lines one can cross” that could be twisted and manipulated, Jesus gave one firm and clear line that separates innocence and guilt.
He said... "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." (Matthew 5:27-30, NIV)
According to Jesus, the “ultimate line” is not the physical act of sex it self. The “line is crossed” when one thinks about another woman [or man] in a sexual way. If a person is in a committed marriage relationship, all of their mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional energy and effort should go toward their spouse.
When God instituted marriage (Genesis 2), He explained to the first couple (Adam and Eve) that husbands and wives should leave their parents and form a new bond... a relationship so close that they would be as if “one flesh.” Therefore, when a married person begins to give even their mental or emotional energy to someone else, they have “crossed the line” in God’s view.
Jesus taught that the beginning point of adultery is in the head, your mind. That’s where one contemplates the pursuit of the physical sex act with someone other than your rightful mate. This can be manifested in many ways, some which our society considers rather harmless.
Don’t be deceived. Flirting is crossing the line. Going to a strip club is crossing the line. Viewing pornography is crossing the line. Spending an inappropriate amount of time alone with someone other than your spouse, even if it never gets physical, is crossing the line.
Making effective use of hyperbole, Jesus explained that married people should go to extreme lengths to protect the bond of trust they have with their spouse. To be casual and haphazard with a marriage relationship is inviting disaster that could have easily been avoided.
Adultery – as Jesus defines it - can happen to high profile people like Tiger Woods David Letterman and South Carolina’s Governor Mark Sanford, and it can happen to you and me. It’s just one careless thought or action away from planting a seed in your mind, and you decide to let the seed grow. You might think it’s harmless... no one knows your thoughts, no one is being hurt. Except you! If you’re a professing Christian, you are in danger of losing your relationship with God, your eternal life, IF you allow such thoughts to continue growing.
Heed this warning.... consequences cannot be avoided when you violate any of God’s commands. Postponed maybe... avoided... not possible. No one should delude themselves into thinking that the Ten Commandments are somehow obsolete and that acts of adultery, albeit fashionable in today’s world, are going to be ignored by Almighty God.
God’s attitude towards adultery has not changed. Modern, enlighten, or sophisticated cultural practices do not trump God’s commandments. Nothing escapes Him and He punishes those who disobey His commandments.
What about those who have already made adultery part of their lives... is salvation possible for them? The answer is yes. Forgiveness and salvation is possible for all sinners who repent and forsake their sins, no matter what those sins may be.
For Christians who have fallen into the snare of adultery... your recovery will most likely be the biggest challenge of your life in Christ.
Willful sin is serious business with God. An unrepentant adulterer... knows what he or she contemplated was wrong... but did it anyway. That’s hard hearted brazen behavior in the eyes of God. What should you do? Seek help from your church elders and confess your sin openly to them and your injured mate. Vow to walk faithfully, obedient to all of God’s commands, for the rest of your life. In fact, don’t even spit on the sidewalk!
On your day of judgment, you will NOT be able to say to God.... I suffered from the Tiger Woods Syndrome and was just unable to stop myself from dalliances with other women [men].
Every unpardoned and undeclared sin will be dealt with by God, harshly. Do not let your life slip away without resolving firmly to stop your sin of adultery. YOU DO NOT WANT GOD to find you still sinning... because adulterers, fornicators, homosexuals will have no place in God’s Kingdom.
The Apostle Paul penned a frightening warning to first century CHRISTIANS in the morally permissive city of Corinth... 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God."
Christian... if you are caught in the snare of adultery, fix your problem now. Recognize the damage you have done to yourself and those you claim to love. Understand, that what you have done is seen and fully known by God, both your actions and deepest innermost thoughts [desires] of the heart.
Change for Tiger Woods and those like him will not be easy, or for anyone who harbors the belief that “adultery” is no big deal. It is a very big deal with God. It can destroy you... permanently.
RECOMMENDATION...
A fine movie titled "Fireproof" was released on DVD recently to serve as an inspiration and a warning about Jesus’ teachings regarding adultery and marriage. The movie also inspired the marriage renewal book called “The Love Dare.” They are both available in book stores or online through Amazon.
