Tag: pornography and adultery

The Ten Commandments (Part 7): What Is Adultery According to the Bible?

What is adultery according to the Bible? Most people think adultery is just a physical act. But what does the Bible say adultery is?

What if I told you—you could commit adultery without ever touching another individual?

This article continues with the series, The Ten Commandments, and addresses the 7th Commandment.

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The Commandment is found in: Exodus 20:14 NKJV

  1. “You shall not commit adultery.

What Adultery Means in Scripture

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, adultery is defined as “voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their current spouse. It is frequently described as “unfaithfulness to the marriage bed,” and in legal contexts, it often refers specifically to sexual activity between a married individual and a partner who is not their spouse.

God, our Creator, established two of His ten commandments to protect family relationships. The first commandment is “Honor your father and mother…,” (covered with Part 6), and the second is “You shall not commit adultery.”

How Serious is Adultery?

Very serious. This 7th commandment safeguards the sanctity of marriage, emphasizing its foundational role in society. It explicitly prohibits adultery, as it violates the sacred rights of marriage. Furthermore, any unchaste sexual behavior before marriage (fornication) compromises future marriages, making it wrong in the same way as adultery after marriage does.

In God’s view, marriage is a holy institution that must remain undefiled. It is crucial to understand the true meaning of marriage and its importance, especially in a time of rising marital unhappiness and broken homes.

Studies over the years have shown that a significant percentage of married people admit to infidelity—roughly one in five men, and a growing number of women.

Let’s look at some statistics. 

These are close approximates.

💔 Divorce & Infidelity Connection

According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

  • The current divorce rate is ~40% (down from 50%)
  • Infidelity is cited in about ~20–40% of divorces
  • It is one of the leading causes of marital breakdown

Why This Commandment Matters

When trust is broken, the foundation of the marriage is shaken.

God established the commandment against adultery for two main reasons. First, marriage is defined as a sacred union between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Jesus reaffirmed this in Matthew 19:5). It serves as the foundational building block of society, designed for mutual completion and the procreation of humanity (Genesis 1:28, 9:1; Malachi 2:15). Because of its significance, God seeks to protect marriage from defilement (Hebrews 13:4) and prohibits adultery, which undermines this sacred commitment.

Second, in Leviticus 18:1-5, God calls His people to reflect His character in the Promised Land. He commands the Israelites to be holy (Leviticus 11:44), which includes practicing sexual purity. God did not want them to mimic the immoral behaviors of the Egyptians or the surrounding nations, where adultery and other sexual sins were rampant.

We often think of adultery as something rare… something extreme.
But as you have seen, studies show that a significant percentage of marriages are affected by it.
And that doesn’t even include what happens in the heart…”

Jesus Expands the Command to the Heart

Jesus expanded this command in Matthew 5:27-30, indicating that lustful thoughts in the heart are equivalent to committing adultery. Let’s look at Jesus’ expansion of the Father’s Command, Matthew 5:27-28 NKJV

  1. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
  2. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

My friends, it’s all about the heart! When an individual fantasizes and lusts after a person other than his or her spouse, allows their mind and heart to be set upon another person, that is adultery—the same as the physical act itself. Now remember that every sin begins with a thought.

Today’s culture engages this behavior. Let’s take a look:

Pew Research Center

Social media and messaging apps have made:

  • Emotional affairs easier
  • Secret communication more accessible

A large percentage of affairs today:

  • Begin online
  • Start as “harmless” conversations

Social media, if allowed, can be another tool for Satan to use to interfere in the harmony of a marriage.

Adultery corrupts God’s design for marriage, diverting sexual fulfillment away from monogamous, heterosexual unions. It undermines marriages and families, which are foundational to society. Ultimately, God’s law and the seventh commandment set the standard for Christian behavior.

Therefore, we should steer clear of anything that could provoke lust, including suggestive music, explicit movies, pornography, and immodest clothing (1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3, Romans 1:32).

However, our current culture largely rejects this guidance.

🧠 Cultural Perception

  • Many people today:
    • Do not view pornography as adultery
    • Do not consider emotional attachment outside marriage as wrong
  • Yet both clearly are in opposition with:
    • The Biblical definition of adultery at the heart level

Is our society grappling with a significant moral decline? Many thoughtful individuals would argue that immorality is indeed a pressing issue today. Why is this a cause for concern? Because it endangers the family—the very bedrock of our society and civilization. The family is where essential values like trust, loyalty, and love are instilled. If we cannot rely on family loyalty, how can we expect individuals to be committed to their nation, society, or civilization?

Immorality erodes the family unit, leading to pain, suffering, shame, and a breakdown of trust. It fosters attitudes of selfishness and irresponsibility, undermining the very fabric that holds our communities together. This is precisely why we are given moral guidelines: to safeguard our well-being and cultivate the virtues necessary for peace, love, and trust in our lives. This vital subject deserves our attention and commitment.

Marriage, Covenant, and the Seriousness of Unfaithfulness

Adultery is not something God treats lightly.  Just to bring home how serious it is, just think about this. God hates divorce! Let’s look at what He said through His prophet Malachi in Malachi 2:13-16 NKJV:

13.And this is the second thing you do: You cover the altar of the Lord with tears,

With weeping and crying; So He does not regard the offering anymore, Nor receive it with goodwill from your hands.

  1. Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the Lord has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.
  2. But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.
  3. “For the Lord God of Israel says THAT HE HATES DIVORCE, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the Lord of hosts.

Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.”

Divorce during this era was predominantly initiated by men, who too often betrayed their wives and disregarded the sacred vows made before God. This not only undermined the divine purpose of nurturing godly children who love the Lord but also negated the profound symbolism of marriage as a reflection of the relationship between God and His people.

As emphasized in verses 15 and 16, “Guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth,” it calls for a commitment to marriage that mirrors God’s unwavering dedication to His promises. Our love and devotion must be devoted solely to our spouse, honoring the sanctity of that bond.

The Scripture says, “For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce.” Because divorce was never to be. Let’s look at what Jesus said in Matthew 19:3-8:

  1. The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
  2. And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’
  3. and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
  4. So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
  5. They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”
  6. He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, BUT FROM THE BEGINNING IT WAS NOT SO.

What is Divorce Adultery According to the Bible?

Jesus said: “But from the beginning it was not so”

Now, in the times of both Moses and Jesus, marriage did not reflect God’s original intent for permanence. Jesus explained that Moses allowed divorce because of human stubbornness, but these laws aimed to protect vulnerable women. Requiring a formal letter of dismissal made men reconsider divorce and marked progress in civil rights. God intended marriage to be lasting, and couples are encouraged to focus on maintaining their relationship rather than seeking reasons to separate.

Now, to further address the seriousness of adultery, let’s look further at what Jesus had to say in verse 9:

  1. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, EXCEPT FOR SEXUAL IMMORALITY, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

Therefore, a man could not then and cannot today divorce his wife for just any reason. Jesus makes this very clear. In God’s eyes, the only justification for divorce is sexual immorality, specifically adultery.

Just to be clear, Adultery is the violation of the marriage covenant through sexual unfaithfulness, while sexual immorality is the broader category of all unlawful sexual behavior that includes adultery.

A divorce based on any other grounds falls outside God’s intended design for marriage. Further, a remarriage resulting from a divorce on any grounds other than sexual immorality—adultery—is an adulterous union. So to think about divorcing a spouse for any reason other than adultery, one had better think again! This applies to women seeking to divorce their husbands as well.

This is how serious an offense adultery is! Because of it, God made it an exception—to a covenant!

God’s eyes, there’s no such thing as Irreconcilable differences. God says: work them out! This used to be the ethic once upon a time; wedding vows were taken seriously.

But not today! Couples are getting divorced at the drop of a hat—including Christian couples! Now, I’m guilty of this—I’ve been married and divorced—before I was a Christian—before I knew better. I’ve done a few things in my life, thought a different way—before I knew better.

But listen, when we know better, we have to do better. This is highlighted in the Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 13:11 NKJV

Paul wrote:

  1.  When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Paul said, “But when I became a man, I put away childish things”!

But Christians are ignoring the teachings of Christ on this matter—including Pastors and other church leaders!

As Christians, we cannot claim to follow Christ while ignoring His teachings on marriage and faithfulness. Remember, Jesus was very tough on hypocrites. So, it’s time for us to put away childish things and grow up!

Consequences of Breaking the Commandment

The biblical pattern in this article moves from definition to heart-level intent, and then to consequences. The passages below show what adultery damages spiritually, relationally, and practically.

It’s essential to recognize that no sin occurs in a vacuum; the actions of one person can ripple through the lives of many. This is especially true with adultery, which represents a profound betrayal. It is a serious violation against God, oneself, and countless others. Those who commit adultery will encounter severe judgment—both in this life and beyond. This should lead anyone contemplating this choice to seriously consider whether the temporary thrill is worth the serious and lasting damage it can inflict on their life and the lives of others.

So, for starters:

Those who engage in adultery and refuse to turn away from their actions (repent) will ultimately lose their chance at eternal life; they will not enter the kingdom of God.

I Corinthians 6:9 NKJV:

  1. Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor ADULTERERS, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

Next, the individual who commits adultery (sexual immorality) and never repents will eventually die in their sin and face the severe judgment of God.

Hebrews 13:4 NKJV

  1. Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Moving on:

The individual who commits adultery and never repents injures and devastates people and devastates the unity of a family.

2 Samuel 12:9-15: NKJV

The setting of this passage is God handing down judgment to David through the prophet Nathan because of his adulterous affair with Bathsheba:

  1. Why have you despised THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD, [we know what Command that is—in fact he broke two commandments the 6th & 7th ones] to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.
  2. 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.’
  3. Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
  4. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.’ ”
  5. So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
  6. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”
  7. Then Nathan departed to his house.

Now there are four things—takeaways to gleam from this passage.

First, the Lord knows everything that we do. Omniscient—all-knowing.

Our sins may affect others, but they are primarily against God. This is what makes sin so truly evil. While sinning against a person is bad, sinning against God is far worse. Sin cannot be hidden. The lie that Satan tells is that you can sin without anyone knowing. But nothing could be further from the truth! But the reality is quite the opposite.

Numbers 32:23 NIV

  1. “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

In other words, if we fail to do the Lord’s will, we are sinning against Him—He’s watching, and we can be sure that our sin will be exposed.

So, I may not know what you’re doing, and your neighbor may not know what you’re doing, but God knows exactly what you’re doing—the good and the bad (we see this in verse 12), and the suitable consequences will prevail.

David went on with life with Bathsheba as though nothing had occurred. But the fact of the matter is, David disobeyed the Commandment of the Lord, and God called him on it.

Second, we see in verses 10 and 11 that this sin didn’t affect only him but also his whole house. His own house will rise up against him. Also, as he took Uriah’s wife in secret, God took David’s wives and gave them to his neighbor before “all Israel.” And the resulting child from his and Bathsheba’s union—died.

Third, in verse 13 we have David’s confession and God’s mercy. The prophet told him, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.” And we know that David repented from the well-known Psalm 51, a true, heartfelt confession.

But look at what the prophet said in verse 14. However, because by this ….the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”

You see, David was forgiven for the grievous sins that he committed. But he still had to pay the consequences.

Listen, think not that we can sin, be forgiven, and not pay consequences! It just doesn’t work that way. Sin has consequences—period—full stop! Not just for ourselves, but for others as well.

Lastly, we see that God is not a respecter of persons(Acts 10:34). David was a true servant of God. Let’s look at the relationship between God and David.

Acts 13:20-23 NKJV

This is a segment of Paul’s preaching in Antioch, addressing Jerusalem’s historical events:

  1. “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
  2. And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
  3. And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’
  4. From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—

God chose David because he was a man after God’s heart to do His will. Through who’s seed would raise a Savior to the world. God and David were tight.

And yet, when he broke God’s Commandment, he suffered the consequences.

Think not that we can get on God’s good side and get away with disobedience and sin! [e.g., Moses,]

Listen, we must obey the Commandments of God.

Obedience is the key, not to be saved, but because we are saved.

Blessings of Obedience

Well, for starters, an individual who is committed to sexual faithfulness and places their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior will enjoy a transformative life cleansed, set apart, and justified by the grace of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:9, 11 NKJV

  1. Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
  2. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Next, an individual with a pure heart is steadfastly sexually faithful and will undeniably see God.

Matthew 5:8 NKJV

  1. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

A person who remains sexually faithful will emerge victorious in the internal battle within their soul.

1 Peter 2:11NKJV:

  1. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

Lastly, an individual who knows God and remains sexually faithful will have a thriving family.

Psalm 128:3 NKJV

  1. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.

There are other blessings, but I’ll stop here. The point is: obedience equals blessings. For those who have fallen short of this Commandment, I pray that you follow the example of David and repent. Let’s look at what he wrote in Psalm 51:1-4, 10 NKJV

Restoration Through Repentance

  1. Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
  2. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
  3. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
  4. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.
  5. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

David made no excuses. This illustrates David’s brokenness and his desire to be restored.

May we maintain the same approach for our sins.

We must keep the Commandments of God: “Do not commit Adultery.”

“The commandment says, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But Jesus shows us—it begins in the heart.

So, the real question is not just what we do……but in our hearts, who we are before God.”

Conclusion

The commandment forbids more than a physical act; as Jesus teaches, it also exposes the condition of the heart. The article’s central call is therefore not only to avoid outward unfaithfulness but to pursue inward purity, repentance, and covenant faithfulness before God.

Amen!

Questions, Comments, and concerns may be left below.

Blessings!

Watch the full video teaching and the companion Short below.

Videos 👉

 

 

📖 Continue Through the Ten Commandments Series

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