South Korean courts sentenced actress Ok So-ri to 8 months in jail for cheating on her husband. During court proceedings, So-ri fought to stay out of prison, claiming the 1953 law against adultery was an invasion of privacy. The courts upheld the law, but suspended her sentence for 2 years.
Even though most countries don’t recognize adultery as a criminal offense, God is offended by this sin (Exodus 20:14). Unfaithfulness carries a maximum sentence that none of us can escape.
This penalty includes public disgrace. Even if an affair never hits the front pages, believe me—word gets around. The Bible claims that cheaters will “be wounded and disgraced. [Their] shame will never be erased” (Proverbs 6:33). This shame not only permanently trashes a person’s reputation, but it scars children and extended families as well—not to mention the other individual involved in the affair.
The Bible warns, “Sexual immorality is a sin against your own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18), and “the [one] who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself” (Proverbs 6:32). Adultery can destroy us through disease, emotional entanglement with another person, and a messed-up marriage.
Once a relationship is polluted by unfaithfulness, the jealous spouse “will be furious and . . . will show no mercy when he [or she] takes revenge” (v.34). Divorce, neglect, reciprocal affairs, and even murder are all forms of revenge that stem from the business of betrayal.
God asks us to “remain faithful to one another in marriage” (Hebrews 13:4). As both our advocate and judge, He wants us to avoid the maximum sentence that adultery carries.
More:
Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together (Matthew 19:6).
Next:
How can you guard your heart and marriage against adultery? Why do you think the Bible is so opposed to breaking the covenant of marriage?
nlpkwt on March 28, 2010 at 3:56 am
The most poignant moment in the bible is when Jesus asks the person who is sinless to throw the first stone.
Yes, adultery is a sin but Jesus forgives the person who shows true remorse and mends their ways.
jennifer benson schuldt on March 30, 2010 at 10:17 am
It is true that we need to be careful not to judge others who have fallen into sexual sin. As you mentioned, Jesus said, “let he who is blameless cast the first stone.”
While the Bible calls us to reflect God’s grace, it also contains warnings against sexual sin, so that we don’t hurt ourselves. Heeding Solomon’s warning in Proverbs may help us avoid some of the pain and difficulty that can accompany this kind of sin.
Soldier4Christ on March 28, 2010 at 6:08 am
I agree with you nipkwt, Jesus died for all our sins. He tells us if we repent of our sins He will be quick and just to forgive them.
Soldier4Christ on March 28, 2010 at 6:24 am
To add to my first reply, this from God’s word.
As with all sin, though, forgiveness and cleansing are available for those who turn to Christ with faith and repentance. See (Acts 2:38) ( Romans 3:21-26 )
jon_sumner on March 28, 2010 at 7:55 am
If we don’t want emotional entanglement with another person, why even get married.
But I agree adultry does hurt others, I certainly was hurt when my dad had his affair I was 8 at the time. Now my dad repented, and my mom took him back, but the fact that he was able to do such a thing is sickness.
I think my life is easier in that area becasue I am 30 now and single, I’m not even dating so I don’t even have to worry about the issue of adultry
bethanyF on March 28, 2010 at 9:13 am
I am single as well and don’t have any plans on getting married. This devotional is good though because it shows that God has a reason for everything and he has our protection in mind.
Lilyofthevalley on March 28, 2010 at 9:15 am
I agree with all of you in that out awesome Jesus does forgive ALL our sins, However, i feel that one of the main points of todays devotion was that adultery is a sin not only against others, but against your own body and most importantly against God. God created the sanctity of marriage and the covenant made between man and wife if rarely recognized as such in todays society.
I am so grateful we have Gods grace, and i also believe we should strive to seek His good ways. <3
Drew on March 28, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Jennifer, thanks for your message regarding this important warning from the Lord.
I once heard a famous preacher say “There are no scandals in heaven!”
Proverbs 5:21 affirms this “For a man’s ways are in full view of of the Lord, and he examines all his paths.”
Janetta on March 30, 2010 at 3:52 am
Hi, everyone. I have been reading this blog for about a month now but this is my first time commenting.
First of all, i want to say thank you to all the bloggers for the daily posts. you cannot imagine how much you have helped me in understanding how Christ wants me to live my life and relate to others. The comments from the other readers have also helped a lot and remind me that i am not alone in my struggles and desire to know God more.
On this post: sometimes, at first reading some of God’s commandments may seem difficult to adhere to like sexual morality because it goes against our sinful nature. but even if we dont believe in the biblical foundation, abstaining from adultery makes complete sense. it hurts everyone involved-the committer, the betrayed spouse, the kids. God commands us to be failthful to one another because simply it is the right thing to do and avoids a world of pain